Biblical Criticism & Hermeneutics

Course Description

The past several hundred years have seen widely varied approaches to reading the Bible arise, which can challenge the very identity of the Christian Church, much less our ability to read together. The emergence of new critical methods and perspectives with respect to Bible-reading has affected people’s trust in the Bible as well as their ability to speak with people they disagree. This course aims to examine the assumptions, history, and variety of these methods and perspectives; to probe their coherence and value; to trace the legacy of their impact and clarify their effects; and to offer a way ahead that is both intellectually sustainable and consistent with the faith of the Church in respect of its Scriptures.