Syllabus in the Bible as Literature

A Hebrew Torah scroll being read. Photo courtesy of DreamsTime.Com.

 Course Description:

An overview of the contents of the Holy Bible, including its different literary genres, for understanding, interpretation, and edification.

Course Objectives:

At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:

1.      identify the different literary genres in the Bible;

2.      understand the organization of the Bible;

3.      get an overview of the contents of the Bible;

4.      interpret selected passages of the Bible according to literary genre; and

5.      express appreciation for the Bible as the Word of God and as a piece of literature.

Course Outline:

I.    Introduction to the Course

      A.  Getting to know the instructor, the students, and the course

      B.   Distribution of course syllabus

      C.   Introduction to Bible as Literature

II.   The organization of the Bible

A.     The Jewish Scriptures/The Old Testament

B.     The New Testament

III. Torah/Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy)

A.     Narrative: Genesis & Exodus

B.     Law: Exodus, Leviticus, Number, Deuteronomy

IV. Historical Books (Joshua to Esther)

      A.  The Book of Ruth

      B.   David (I and II Samuel)

      C.   The Book of Esther

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

VI. Poetic Books/Wisdom Writing (Job to Song of Solomon)

A.     Unjust suffering: The Book of Job

B.     Songs in every key: Selected Psalms

C.     Wisdom writings: Proverbs and Ecclesiastes

D.     Love song: The Song of Solomon

VII. Prophetic Books (Isaiah to Malachi)

A.     Major prophets

-- Selected readings from Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel

      B.   Minor prophets

            -- Selected readings from Hosea, Joel, Jonah, Haggai, and Malachi

MIDTERM EXAMINATION

VIII. The Gospels (Matthew to John) and Acts

A.     Narrative: The birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1; Luke 2)

B.     Didactic: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6-8)

C.     Parables: Matthew 13 & Luke 15

D.     Passion and Resurrection narratives

E.      Selected readings from Acts

IX. Epistles (Romans to Jude)

      A. Pauline Epistles

            -- Selected readings from Romans, I Corinthians, Ephesians

      B.   General/Catholic (including Pastoral) Epistles

            -- Selected readings from James, I John

X.  Apocalyptic literature (Revelation)

      -- Selected readings from Revelation

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

Textbooks/Materials:

Fee, G. D. & D. Stuart. (2003). How to read the Bible for all its worth (3^rd ed.). Manila: OMF Literature.

Jensen, I. L. (1969). Enjoying your Bible. USA: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.

Guerrero, G. T. (2013). Instructional Minutes. URL: http://instructionalminutes.blogspot.com.

Any English translation of the Bible may be used for class and for personal study.