This page and the resources linked from it are Open Educational Resources (OER)
This adult degree completion module gives students an overview of the Bible. We'll see the
story that starts at the beginning of the Old Testament and runs to the end of the New Testament.
We'll consider some of the major issues in Biblical understanding and interpretation. In essence,
this course is "How to Understand the Bible for Beginners." By the end of the
module, we're writing the entire story of the Bible in one page.
Bound Lamb (Agnus Dei) by Francisco de Zurbaran,
Museo del Prado, Madrid
Class resources, including assignments and due dates
Concordances help you find Bible passages when you know at least one word used
in that passage. The three listed below index the King James, New American Standard Version,
Darby, World English, and Young's Literal translations in addition to those listed:
Bible Gateway
(Gospel Films —
GospelCom)
— Versions listed above, plus NIV and RSV
— Other language versions including German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Crosswalk
- Versions listed above, plus: New Living Translation, ASV, New King James, NRSV, RSV,
Today's English Version, New American Bible, Douay-Rheims, Bible in Basic English
- Other Bible study tools
Unbound Bible
(Biola)
- Versions listed above, plus: ASV, Basic English, Douay-Rheims, Webster's Bible - Greek,
Hebrew, and 28 other languages - Easton's Bible dictionary - Brief histories of several
Bible translations
Ready to get started looking at the
Bible? Before you jump in, let's start with some very basic principles. [ more ]
Tempted to cheat on schoolwork? Before you do, read SNU's academic integrity policy
End-of-module integrative paper for this introduction to the Bible course
From the syllabus: "A 6-8 page reflective paper describing insights from this
course that were new to you, how you respond to those new insights, and possible ways those
new insights might impact your life in the future. Due two weeks after the final class
session"
Need a question to get you started?
Have you successfully combined new material from the assignments and classroom lectures and discussions with
what you already knew?
Have some of your previously-held ideas and positions been challenged?
Can you identify some changes in you because of your participation in this learning
experience?
What new avenues of investigation have you become curious about following up on?
In what ways is your understanding of the Bible different now than before the module
started?
At what points were you challenged to think and reflect?
Did you find yourself discussing material from this module with friends and family during
the five weeks?
Did you find yourself going beyond the work assigned to read more and to pursue one or
more questions?
Your paper need not answer all or even any of these questions. They are offered merely as
idea starters.
Appearance, grammar usage, and clearness of writing will help determine the final grade on
this paper.
A course called "Biblical Perspectives" would typically delve into various aspects of the
Bible,
including its historical, cultural, literary, and theological dimensions. Here's what you can expect
to find in such a course:
Introduction to the Bible: An overview of the
structure, content, and historical context of the Bible, including its division into Old Testament
and New Testament.
Historical Context: Exploration of the historical
background of the Bible, including the political, social, and cultural milieu in which it was
written.
Literary Analysis: Examination of the various
literary
genres found in the Bible, such as narrative, poetry, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature. This
may involve learning about literary techniques used by biblical authors.
Theological Themes: Study of key theological
themes
present in the Bible, such as creation, covenant, redemption, and eschatology (the study of the
end times).
Interpretation Methods: Introduction to different
approaches to interpreting the Bible, including historical-critical methods, literary analysis, and
theological interpretation.
Key Figures and Events: Exploration of important
figures and events in biblical narratives, such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus Christ, and the
apostles.
Ethical and Moral Teachings: Examination of the
ethical and moral teachings found in the Bible and their relevance to contemporary issues.
Contemporary Relevance: Discussion of the
relevance of biblical perspectives to contemporary issues, such as social justice, environmental
stewardship, and personal spirituality.
Critical Thinking and Discussion: Encouragement of
critical thinking skills through analysis, discussion, and reflection on biblical texts and their
implications for faith and life.
In short, the Biblical Perspectives course aims to provide students with a deeper
understanding of the Bible and its significance, both in its original context and in contemporary
society.
