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BBST 103: Biblical Interpretation & Spiritual Formation (3 units)

Joanne Jung, Associate Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies

Description

Equips students to interpret and apply the Bible in accurate, dynamic ways for spiritual transformation and character formation.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

  • Identified the major genres in which the Bible was written and know the general principles to interpret each biblical genre
  • Applied an understanding of biblical genre, literary, historical, and cultural contexts in determining the meaning of select passages
  • Derived contextually accurate personal applications and points of significance through meditation upon the meaning of a biblical text
  • Demonstrated an understanding of means of grace and applied these to their personal lives in community

Course Format

Conducted online over 3 weeks in alignment with Biola University's 2013 Interterm session as part of the IRIS program. There is a required one-day session at Biola’s La Mirada campus on Friday, January 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students will interact with the instructor and each other through interactive online discussions, video conferences, and other assignments.

NOTE: A webcam is required for this course, and students are also responsible for accessing the following films, which are typically available from the Biola Library, public libraries, and Netflix.

  • Amazing Grace (2006): Based on actual events, this historical drama tells the story of William Wilberforce, an 18th-century English politician who launched an aggressive campaign to abolish British slavery, despite staunch opposition.
  • King’s Speech (2010): Britain's King George VI struggles with an embarrassing stutter for years until he seeks help from unorthodox Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue in this biographical drama that chalked up multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
  • Throne of Blood (1957): Director Akira Kurosawa's magnificent rumination on Shakespeare's tragic “Macbeth” is a dark samurai drama set in feudal Japan, in which two soldiers -- Washizu (Toshirô Mifune) and Miki (Minoru Chiaki) -- find themselves lost in a dense forest during a powerful thunderstorm. When they encounter a ghostly old woman who predicts Washizu will soon rise to power, the soldier embarks on a murderously ambitious path and quickly fulfills the prophecy.

Required Reading

  • Jung, Joanne. Knowing Grace: Cultivating a Lifestyle of Godliness. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2011.
  • Russell, Walt. Playing with Fire: How the Bible Ignites Change in Your Soul. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2000.
  • Supplemental readings supplied online

2 books from the list below, which may be accessed in the Biola Library or purchased:

  • Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998.
  • Issler, Klaus. Wasting Time with God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001.
  • Ortberg, John. The Life You’ve Always Wanted. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002.
  • Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1991.

Assignments

  • Interactive online discussions (15%)
  • 5-page personal testimony (5%)
  • 2-page interview (5%)
  • Reading, video viewing, and Scripture memorization report (5%)
  • Reflection papers on the 8 means of grace (15%)
  • 8 Scripture interpretation and meditation papers (25%)
  • Final hermeneutics paper (30%)

Prerequisites

None

Relation to Curriculum

Required core course which must be completed during the first year at Biola

Final Examination

No