Course #501
Advanced Hermeneutics

Instructor: Denny Petrillo, Ph.D.

Course Description:
Designed to address the complexities of Biblical Interpretation, and to provide a solid hermeneutical methodology. This course is presently a “Blitz-week” course, being offered in September of each year. You should check with the office to get the exact dates.

Objectives of the Course:

• To give considerable attention to the basic hermeneutic approaches popular today
• To familiarize students with the arguments used and the strengths and weaknesses of those arguments.
• To introduce students to the significant literature and language of hermeneutics and to assist them in developing a working resource library
• To enhance the research and writing skills necessary to communicate a logical and scriptural approach to Biblical Interpretation.

Course Requirements:
Read all of the required textbooks before the class meets in September. A special page has been included in this syllabus in which you should record the dates each required textbook was completely read.

Write a review of three (3) of the books. You can choose which ones you wish to do a review over. The review should follow the guidelines given below. These reviews will be due the first day of class.

A term paper will be required of all students, to be submitted after the class meets in September. The paper should meet the following requirements:

1. Full research form, with outline, textnotes (or endnotes/footnotes if you choose) and bibliography. This should be done according to the MLA style.
2. Paper should have at least 15 sources, ALL OF WHICH must be used and referred to in the paper.
3. The paper must have at least 15 pages of text (outline and bibliography do not count in this number)
4. The topic for the term paper will be assigned the last day of class. The research will deal with major questions regarding Biblical Interpretation in the church today.
5. Date Due: December 31. Late papers will not be accepted.

Grading:
Your grade will be determined as follows:
Reading all required books - 25%
Book reviews - 25%
Research Paper - 40%
Class participation - 10%

Items to be Considered for Inclusion in a Book Review
(Adapted from Guidelines provided at the Institute for Christian Studies)
There will be a number of courses in the BVBID Master’s program that will require book reviews. These guidelines should be followed:

I. Details of Publication

Who wrote the book? Does it contain contributions from more than one author? Has it been edited? Where does/did the author work or teach and what is known of his or her training? Did the book grow out of some other project (e.g., a dissertation)?

When and by whom was the book published? Is it a part of a series? Is it a translation? How many pages does it have? If it is a multi volume work, how many volumes does it include? Does it have maps, charts, photographs, drawings, indices, notes, or bibliography?

II. Contents and Argument

What is the author's central thesis?

What are the author's assumptions? What is his or her methodology? How has he or she organized the book?

What are the topics and major points of each of the book's chapters?

III. Evaluation

Do you agree with the thesis and the other major points of the book? Why?

Do the book's conclusions agree with scholarly opinion as a whole on the topic? If not, does the book represent one particular segment or school of scholarly opinion? Does the book take advantage of the most recent developments in scholarship on the topic? Does the book advance scholarly discussion on the subject?

What are the book's major weaknesses? What are its primary strengths and contributions? Are the author's presuppositions, methodology, and approach valid and appropriate? Does the author fail to discuss important aspects of his topic? Does the book fill a gap in the literature on the topic? What issues does it raise?

For whom was the book written and what was its purpose? Has it accomplished this purpose, and does it adequately communicate to its intended audience?

Aesthetics
A.) Is the book well written, easy to read, and interesting?
B.) How do you rate the quality of the book's binding and printing? Are there many typographical errors or other obvious mistakes?

General Evaluation What is your overall opinion of the book? Is it better or worse than others on the topic? Can you recommend it to others?

* Several of these items may not be relevant for your book review. Include only those items that contribute to your work.

Name _________________________Reading Assignment Sheet
Record each day the following books were completely read
Kaiser, Walter. Toward An Exegetical Theology.
Date Read: _______________________

Kaiser, Walter and Silva, Moises. An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics.
Date Read: ______________________

Kearley, F. Furman, Myers, Edward P. and Hadley, Timothy D., editors. Biblical Interpretation:Principles and Practice.
Date Read: ______________________

Silva, Moises. Has The Church Misread the Bible? Vol. 1.
Date Read: ______________________

Thomas, J.D. Harmonizing Hermeneutics.
Date Read: ______________________

Alternative Text #1: Name of Book: __________________________________________
Date Read: ______________________

Alternative Text #2: Name of Book: __________________________________________
Date Read: _____________________

Note: This sheet should be filled out and turned in to the instructor on the first day of class.