This course introduces the art and science of biblical interpretation, surveys the history of hermeneutics, and trains students to compare and apply interpretive methods. It gives focused attention to Mosaic Law, historically situated prophecy, wisdom literature, responsible reading of apocalyptic texts, narrative criticism, canonical storyline, intertextuality, and the Gospels and Epistles in their first-century settings. Students synthesize the content in a Guide to Teaching Scripture that establishes a repeatable interpretive process and demonstrates it through case studies, alternate readings, common misinterpretations, and pastoral applications.

This course surveys the Torah/Pentateuch as five distinct books and one cohesive theological whole, reads Genesis across historical and linguistic distance, develops Christian engagement with Levitical law and ritual, and surveys the Old Testament historical books individually and canonically. Students produce an Old Testament I Preaching and Teaching Portfolio: four five-part series totaling twenty one-page outlines for preacher or teacher and congregation use.

This course surveys the Psalter's composition, literary forms, theology, Christological interpretation, and use in worship; Israel's wisdom tradition and its treatment of suffering, justice, theodicy, human limitation, faithful life, and the fear of the Lord; and the Major and Minor Prophets in historical, literary, canonical, and New Testament contexts. Students produce an Old Testament II Preaching and Teaching Portfolio of twenty one-page outlines: five Psalms, five Wisdom Literature, four Major Prophets, and six Minor Prophets.