Fall Bible courses at AMBS
Reading the Bible (on campus and online) BIB500, BIB500E
Annual — Three hours — Loren Johns and Safwat Marzouk
By reading parallel types of material from the Old and New Testaments, students will come to understand better the scope of the Bible and its contents and background, as well as how the two testaments fit together. After an orientation to the world and the structure of the Bible, students will explore a variety of biblical texts and themes, including narrative texts, theological foundations, prophetic writings and Pauline writings, worship, wisdom literature, the Historical Jesus, creation, and eschatology.
Beginning Greek: 1 John BIB502
Annual — Three hours — TBA
In this first-level Greek class, students learn the basics of the Greek language and read 1 John, an early Christian letter about the fundamental human desire to know and love God. We will take note of the style of the letter, its theology, and how it speaks to our own spirituality. While this is the basic skill-building course for the New Testament exegesis sequence, it will be helpful to any student who wishes to have a clearer understanding of the biblical text. This course is a prerequisite for New Testament exegesis courses.
Teaching the Bible in the Congregation BIB505
Biennial — Three hours — Mary Schertz & Rachel Miller Jacobs
Cross-listed with CHM547
Students will explore the role and function of teaching Scripture in the congregation. Issues include assessment of current approaches to and congregational attitudes toward the Bible, the real or perceived gap between scholarship and the church, effective teaching modules for
various congregational settings, biblical illiteracy and biblical irrelevancy, and the role of the pastor and other congregational educators in teaching the Bible. This class is for those who want to nurture spiritual maturity by helping a congregation encounter the Living Word both informationally and formationally.
Biblical Perspectives on Atonement BIB654
Biennial — Three hours — Mary Schertz
The passion of Jesus has been the subject of theological debate for centuries. But how do the earliest commentators on these events understand them in light of their Jewish contexts? This class will look at how Paul, the Gospel evangelists, and the later writers interpreted the cross. We will also examine how several modern writers handle these materials as we formulate our own understanding of the atonement for faith and ministry.
Bible Reading Colloquium (Hebrew) BIB510
Each semester — One-half hour per semester — Ben Ollenburger
Bible department faculty lead weekly informal sessions to read biblical texts in their original languages, alternating by semester between Hebrew and Greek. Students may enroll for one-half hour of credit each semester, but enrollment is not required to participate in the colloquium. Prerequisite: one semester of Hebrew or Greek.
Greek Exegesis: Galatians BIB610
Occasional — Three hours — Loren Johns
This study of Galatians explores the theological creativity of Paul the missionary pastor. Historical, rhetorical, theological, ethical, and pastoral themes will be explored in this stunning manifesto of Christian freedom. Students will cultivate exegetical skills and explore ways in which the message of this letter can inform, support, and challenge the church today. Prerequisites: Reading the Bible and Beginning Greek: 1 John
Hebrew Exegesis: Genesis BIB616
Biennial — Three hours — Ben Ollenburger
This course focuses on reading and interpreting portions of the Hebrew text selected from both the primeval history (Genesis 1–11) and the ancestral narratives (Genesis 12–50). It is designed to enable students to gain greater confidence in reading the Hebrew text and to develop a coherent and theologically useful exegetical approach. Primary attention will be given to the biblical text itself. Prerequisites: Reading the Bible and Beginning Hebrew: Ruth
Biblical Foundations for Peace and Justice BIB651
Biennial — Three hours — Mary Schertz and Safwat Marzouk
The relationship between peace and justice has been enigmatic. The biblical texts bear witness to both the Holy Warrior God and the prophet who decries peace without justice, the Jesus who came not to bring peace but a sword, as well as the Jesus who weeps over Jerusalem because it did not recognize “the things that make for peace.” In this class we study pertinent biblical passages—as well as some of the historic peace church understandings of these passages—in order to gain a perspective and to provide a basis for reflecting on peace and justice praxis today.
