Biblical Perspectives course

Resources for an introductory Bible class

Open Educational Resources

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.

painting of
sacrficial lamb
Bound Lamb (Agnus Dei) by Francisco de Zurbaran, Museo del Prado, Madrid

Class resources, including assignments and due dates

  • Puzzles
  • Humor
  • External Links

    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:

    Other concordances:    Bibles.Net

    I'm ready to get started!

    NextReady 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?

    1. Have you successfully combined new material from the assignments and classroom lectures and discussions with what you already knew?
    2. Have some of your previously-held ideas and positions been challenged?
    3. Can you identify some changes in you because of your participation in this learning experience?
    4. What new avenues of investigation have you become curious about following up on?
    5. In what ways is your understanding of the Bible different now than before the module started?
    6. At what points were you challenged to think and reflect?
    7. Did you find yourself discussing material from this module with friends and family during the five weeks?
    8. Did you find yourself going beyond the work assigned to read more and to pursue one or more questions?

    Ready for some humor? See my writing checklist.

        -- Howard Culbertson,

    wastebasket

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