Biblical Courses for the 2013 Summer Session

A study of the Old Testament covering biblical books, their historical contexts, genres and ancient Near Eastern cultural contexts necessary for interpretation. The basics of exegetical method particular to the genres of the Old Testament will be covered. Principles of biblical interpretation will also be covered especially from a Catholic perspective. Lectures and assignments including quizzes, exams and a final paper.

Introduction to Old Testament literature and history, with emphasis on application within the church. Lectures and seminars. Readings, written assignments and final paper or exam.

In alternate years, this course will include an overview of either the Wisdom tradition or the Prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible. We will focus on one or two books, attending to the historical and cultural context in which they took shape but also pay attention to their significance of wisdom or the prophetic message for the Christian tradition. Lectures and discussion. Papers, no tests. Prerequisite: EMB1003 or equivalent.

This course will examine how major characters in the Old Testament have been read, interpreted and proclaimed from the 19th Century through to today. Special attention will be given to Adam and Eve, Sarah, Abraham and Hagar, Lot, Lot's wife and daughters, Moses and Miriam, Rahab, Samson and Delilah, the Levite and the concubine, David and his women, Ahaz and Jezebel, Vashti and Ahasuerus, and images of "bad girls and boys". We will ask questions about how we read and interpret texts and how biblical stories can be used in the church today. The course will consist of lectures and small group discussions. Evaluation is based on class participation (20%), a book report due the first day (30%) and a final paper or project.

Note: pre-course assignment due on first day of class. See syllabus on website (wycliffecollege.ca) for info.

This course surveys various points at which a number of New Testament authors encountered the Roman Empire – directly or indirectly.  It aims to acquaint students with the political world of the New Testament and to aid students in the development of a biblical hermeneutic conscious of its implications.  The class will involve a combination of lecture, full class discussion, and small group discussion.  Students will be assessed by a book review assignment, two summary papers, a final research paper, and classroom participation.

This course uses the book of Amos as a means of introducing the covenantal values that lay beneath Israel's approach to social justice. Through a site visit and classroom activities, students will reflect on the Church's call to social justice and the way in which this can be realised in the lives of individuals and congregations. Additional emphasis will be placed on the content and shape of the book of Amos and the task of interpreting it as Scripture of the Church. Lecture. Written assignments, site visit, and final paper. Intro to OT (KNB1006) or equivalent, plus any 2000 level Bible course.

Student should have read the following books (available at Crux bookstore at Wycliffe College) prior to the start of the course:

Paton, Alan.  Cry, the Beloved Country. New York, NY: Scribner, 2003

Paul, Greg. God in the Alley:  Being and Seeing Jesus in a Broken World. Colarado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2004

Classes held at Wycliffe College

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. The way in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger, justice for women, and peace and violence are interrelated will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on the issue of justice in our world today. Two short papers, one major research paper.

Close reading of selected Psalms, according to these categories: a. Psalms in the OT that appear in the NT; b. key psalms within the structure of the Psalter; c. imprecatory psalms; d. popular psalms that do not appear in the NT. Tasks: a. Original language work in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, b. Reading (in translation) of the reception history of the Psalms, including the use of the Psalms in the NT, also c. chiefly Diodore and Theodore, Origen, Chrysostom, Theodoret, Jerome, Augustine, Aquinas, Rashi, Calvin, Luther, moderns, and d. Selected readings in hermeneutics, including Frei. Teaching Method -- two weekly seminars, with readings for discussion and analysis of the primary sources. Means of evaluation -- one major paper to be submitted at the end of the term.

This course uses the book of Amos as a means of introducing the covenantal values that lay beneath Israel's approach to social justice. Through a site visit and classroom activities, students will reflect on the Church's call to social justice and the way in which this can be realised in the lives of individuals and congregations. Additional emphasis will be placed on the content and shape of the book of Amos and the task of interpreting it as Scripture of the Church. Lecture. Written assignments, site visit, and final paper. Intro to OT (KNB1006) or equivalent, plus any 2000 level Bible course.

Students should have read the following books (available at Crux bookstore at Wycliffe College) prior to the start of the course:

Paton, Alan. Cry, the Beloved Country. New York, NY: Scribner, 2003

Paul, Greg. God in the Alley:  Being and Seeing Jesus in a Broken World. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook, 2004

Classes held at Wycliffe College

This course will trace the multi-faceted theme of justice as it unfolds throughout the biblical story. The way in which idolatry, economic justice, racial justice, justice for the land, food justice, justice for the stranger, justice for women, and peace and violence are interrelated will provide a biblical basis for reflecting on the issue of justice in our world today. Two short papers, one major research paper.