OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

BIST 2023

DR. DANNY HAYS

SPRING 2005  Revised Jan. 27, 2005

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

 

Biblical Exegesis

 

 

I.  PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE COURSE

 

This course is designed to develop the student’s skill in doing biblical exegesis (the study and interpretation of the Bible).

 

II. PREREQUISITES

 

CORE 1113 (Surveying the Bible) and CORE 1123 (Interpreting the Bible)

 

III. GOALS

 

After completing this course the student should be able to:

 

1. Recognize literary structural elements in the text.

 

2. Apply principles of detailed Observation to a text.

 

3. Determine word meanings within texts.

 

4. Express the main idea of a passage as an exegetical idea.

 

5. Critically analyze differing interpretations and apply validation principles to the process.

 

6. Discuss the role of context and historical\cultural background in determining the meaning for today's audience.

 

7. Research and write an exegetical paper.

 

8. Apply biblical texts to himself\herself and to today’s audience.

 

An intangible goal, but a major goal nevertheless, is that the student will learn to enjoy personal Bible Study.

 


IV. TEXTBOOKS

 

The textbooks for the course are:

 

Goodrick, Edward W., and John R. Kohlenberger.  The NIV Exhaustive Concordance. Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1990.

 

Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays.  Grasping God's Word: A Hands-on Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

 

Vyhmeister, Nancy Jean.  Quality Research Papers for Students of Religion and Theology.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

 

Verbrugge, Verlyn D. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Abridged Edition.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

 

Also a non-paraphrased translation of the Bible is required.  Acceptable translations include NIV, TNIV, HCSB, NASB, ESV, KJV, NKJV, RSV, and the NRSV.  Translations not allowed are the Living Bible, the New Living Bible, the Amplified Bible, Good News for Modern Man, the Message, and other paraphrases.

 

V. ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Adler, Mortimer J., and Charles van Doren. How to Read a Book.  New York: Simon and Schuster, 1972.

 

Dockery, David S. Biblical Interpretation: Then and Now.  Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.

 

Fee, Gordan D., and Douglas Stuart.  How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Third Edition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

 

Fee, Gordan D.  New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. Philadelphia:  Westminster, 1983.

 

Goldingay, John.  Models for Interpretation of Scripture.  Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.

 

Greidanus, Sidney. Preaching Christ from the Old Testament: A Contemporary Hermeneutical Method. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

 

Hendricks, Howard G., and William D. Hendricks.  Living by the Book.  Chicago:  Moody, 1991.

 

Johnson, Elliot E.  Expository Hermeneutics: An Introduction.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.

 

 

Kaiser, Walter C., and Moisés Silva.  An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics.  Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.

 

Kaiser, Walter C., Toward An Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981.

 

Klein, William W., Craig Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard.  Introduction to Biblical Interpretation.  Dallas:  Word, 1993.

 

Mickelsen, A. Berkeley, and Alvera M. Mickelsen.  Understanding Scripture.  Revised Edition. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1992.

 

Morgan, Robert, and John Barton.  Biblical Interpretation.  Oxford:  Oxford, 1988.

 

Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral.  Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity, 1991.

           

Ramm, Bernard.  Protestant Biblical Interpretation.  Grand   Rapids: Baker, 1970.

 

Tate, W. Randolf. Biblical Interpretation. Peabody,    Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1991.

 

Terry, Milton.  Biblical Hermeneutics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985

 

Traina, Robert A. Methodical Bible Study.  Wilmore, Kentucky: Robert Traina, 1952.

 

Wald, Oletta. The Joy of Discovery in Bible Study.  Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1975.

 

VI. GRADING

 

The student's final course grade will consist of the following:

 

            Quizzes/Short Written Assignments                   15%

            Exegetical Papers (2)                                        80%

            Final Exam                                                         5%

 

 

 

Quizzes/Short Written Assignments

 

Several short written assignments will be required.   Late papers will receive a 30-point penalty!  Several announced and unannounced quizzes will also be given. The lowest quiz or daily assignment will be dropped and the rest averaged.  No makeup quizzes will be given.


 

Exegetical Papers

 

The student will be required to write two exegetical papers.  Each paper is required to be a minimum of twelve, typed, double-spaced pages.  More information regarding these papers will be given in class.  Late papers will be penalized five points per calendar day.

 

Attendance

 

This course is designed to teach methodology and not simply memorized material.  In addition, much of the material covered is not in the textbook.  Attendance, therefore, is imperative.  Attendance at all class sessions is strongly encouraged.  For every unexcused absence over three, the student will be penalized one percentage point off of their final grade average.

 

Grading Scale

 

                        A         90-100%

                        B          80-89%

                        C         70-79%

                        D         60-69%

                        F          below 59%

 

 

VII. ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Ouachita Baptist University is committed to extending access and opportunity to those who have disabilities.  To request modifications or accommodations due to a disabling condition, or for a copy of the University policy concerning modifications or accommodations, contact Neill Hunter, University Counselor and ADA/504 Coordinator, in the Counseling Services Office.  The office is located in Evans Student Center 136, and the telephone number is 245-5591. You may email the University Counselor and ADA/504 Coordinator at huntern@obu.edu

 

 

VIII. YOUR PROFESSOR

 

Your professor is Dr. Danny Hays.  He is available to you for counseling and discussion for any reason.  Please note the posted office hours when he is available to you.  Should you need to see him at some other time it may be necessary to arrange an appointment.

 

                        Office                                                               Home

                        Berry Bible Bldg., #208                                    316 Hardin St.

                        OBU Box 3677                                                Arkadelphia

                        245-5526                                                         245-2542


IX. COURSE OUTLINE

 

Date                            Lecture and Discussion Topic           Assignments Due

                                                                       

 

JAN     19                    Introduction, Sources (Commentaries)

 

            21                    Sources (Commentaries)

 

 ---

 

            24                    Sources (Journals)                                Publisher Quiz

 

            26                    Writing Exegetical Papers                     Journal Quiz

                                    Using ATLA

 

           28                    Citations                                               ATLA Assignment.  Read Vyhmeister 62-67; Read PSCS Guidelines for Writing Research Papers.  Bring both to class.

  ---

 

           31                    Citations                                               Citation Assignment.  Also bring Vyhmeister and PSCS Guidelines to class.

                                                                                               

FEB     2                     Bible Translation (Video)

 

 4                     No Class; work on your

exegetical papers!!

 

 ---

 

7                     No Class; work on your

                        exegetical papers!!

 

             9                     No Class; work on your

                        exegetical papers!!

 

             11                   No Class; work on your

                                    exegetical papers!!

 

 ---

 

14                    No Class; work on your                      

                       exegetical papers!!                               

 

            16                    No Class; work on your

                                    exegetical papers

 

            18                    Exegesis Review                                   Review GGW Chapters 6 and 7 (Context)

 ---

 

            21                    Word Studies                                       Read GGW Ch 8,  Bring Concordance and Verbrugge to class

 

            23                    Exegesis—Romans                               Romans Bibliography.  Read Romans 1.

 

            25                    Exegesis—Romans

 

 ---

 

            28                    Exegesis—Romans

 

MAR   2                     Exegesis—Romans

 

            4                     Exegesis in the OT Narratives        Read GGW, Ch 18, “OT Narrative”

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Exegetical Papers due at 5:00 pm in my office (BBB 208)

 

 ---

 

             7                    Applying OT Narrative             Read article by Trull (handout)

 

             9                    Exegesis—Exodus                               

                                                                                                                                                (source criticism)

 

            11                    Exegesis—Exodus                               

 

 ---

 

            14                    Exegesis—Exodus                                                       

 

16                    Exegesis—Exodus

 

  1. Exegesis—Exodus

 

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            21                    No Class!! Spring Break!

 

23                    No Class!! Spring Break!

 

  1. No Class!! Good Friday!

 

 ---

 

            28                    No Class!! Easter Break

 

            30                    Citations—Feedback from Romans Papers

 

APR   1                     Exegesis—Exodus

 

 ---

 

             4                     Exegesis—Exodus

 

             6                     Exegetical Ideas and Outlines

 

             8                     Exegetical Ideas and Outlines

 

 ---

 

            11                    Exegetical Ideas and Outlines

 

            13                    Inerrancy/Inspiration                             Read articles by Dockery and Hays/Duvall

 

            15                    Canonicity                                            Read articles by Beckwith and Pate

 

 ---

 

            18                    Canonicity/Text Criticism

 

             20                    Text Criticism                                       3 points extra credit if Exodus Exegetical Paper is turned in today.

 

  1. Contemporary issues or Seminaries/Grad Schools

 ---

 

            25                    Exegesis—Gospels                               Read GGW Ch 15, Gospels

 

            27                    Exegesis—Luke                                   Exegetical Paper on Exodus Due

 

            29                    Exegesis—Luke

 

 ---

 

MAY    2                     Exegesis in the OT Prophets                        Read GGW Ch 21, Prophets

 

             4                     Predictive Prophecy

 

             6                     Exegesis in the OT Prophets

 

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Final Examination as Scheduled by the Registrar