Biblical Exposition and Exegesis Courses (BIE)
Biblical exposition and exegesis courses are intended to develop a thorough knowledge of the Word of God along with competence in understanding, expounding, applying, and communicating it.
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BIE 500 - Introduction to the Bible (2 hrs.) This foundational course assists the student in gaining an overall orientation to the vast field of biblical study. It is conducted as an intensive course or reading course for those who lack undergraduate foundations in biblical study. |
| BIE 501 - Interpretive Method in Old Testament (3 hrs.) |
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BIE 501E - Understanding the Old Testament (3 hrs.) Correspondence Course: A survey of the history of salvation in the Old Testament especially as it relates to the universal of Old Testament theology, i.e. the Rule of God or the establishment of God's Kingdom upon the earth. A working knowledge of Hebrew is helpful but not required for this course. Instructor: Bruce Waltke, Th.D., Ph.D. Prerequisite: BIE 505 |
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BIE 505 - Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics (3 hrs.) This course focuses on the development of a systematic approach to the interpretation of Scripture. Although reference is made to various interpretative systems and strategies, special attention is given to the historical-grammatical method. The predominant literary genres of the Bible are examined and relevant principles of interpretation highlighted. Emphasis is placed on understanding the original, intended meaning of Scripture in its canonical context as the basis upon which to prepare expositions and make appropriate contemporary applications. Prerequisites: BIE 500 or equivalent |
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BIE 521 - The Church and God's Mission (3 hrs.) Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 552 - New Testament Theology (3 hrs.) A study of the major themes and theologies of the New Testament in the context of their historical development. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 600 - New Testament Greek Exegesis II (3 hrs.) Continued Greek vocabulary building and retention, development of a personal Greek reading habit, and critical interaction with commentary literature, with special focus on the refinement of, and practice in, an exegetical method that exposes the biblical author's meaning-intent. The student will apply these disciplines to a New Testament book with a view to preaching/teaching its content from an exegetical base. Prerequisite: BIL 502 |
| BIE 601 - Interpretive Method in New Testament (3 hrs.) |
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BIE 603 - Hebrew Exegesis I (3 hrs.) This course involves careful analysis of selected portions of the Hebrew Bible with a view to developing both the student's proficiency in working with the biblical text in its original language and an exegetical method that brings to light the biblical author's intention. The various aspects of the historical-grammatical approach are highlighted and key exegetical tools are introduced in order to equip the student to preach/teach with confidence from the Old Testament. Prerequisites: BIL 505 Biblical Hebrew II; RES 500 |
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BIE 604 - Exposition of the Pentateuch (3 hrs.) This study of the Pentateuch seeks to elucidate the message and significance of the crucial first component of the Hebrew canon. Historical, cultural and literary backgrounds are investigated, the content of the individual books is surveyed, selected portions are analyzed in detail, and key themes are highlighted. Interaction with commentary and theological iterature is included. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 605 - Exposition of the Prophetical Literature In this course, the student will survey the content of each book from Isaiah through Malachi, study selected portions in detail, and learn sound hermeneutical methodology for discerning the important contributions of these books to both the biblical canon and the Christian church today. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. |
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BIE 606 - Exposition of Wisdom Literature (3 hrs.) Students survey each of the books from Job through Song of Songs, study selected portions in detail, and learn sound hermeneutical methodology for discerning the important contributions of these books to both the biblical canon and the Christian church today. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 607 - Exposition of the Historical Literature (3 hrs.) The student will survey each of the books from Joshua through Esther, study selected portions in detail, and learn an exegetical method for discerning the essential contributions of these books to the biblical canon and to the Christian church today. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 609 - Exposition of Isaiah (3 hrs.) This course involves both a consideration of the message of the book of Isaiah as a whole and careful analysis of selected passages. In the process, key contextual and literary issues are investigated and the contemporary implications of this important prophetic book are explored. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 610 - Old Testament Theology (3 hrs.) This course will involve an investigation of various approaches to Old Testament theology, an analysis of key passages and theological themes in the Hebrew Scriptures, and practical experience in doing Old Testament theology, all with a view to exploring the significance of this "first testament" for the Christian. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 611 - Exposition of the Psalms (2 hrs.) This course provides both an overview of the Psalter and more detailed analysis of selected psalms. Special attention is paid to themes and concepts that are particularly helpful for spiritual formation and ministry. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 612 - Exposition of Psalms (3 hrs.) This course provides both an overview of the Psalter and more detailed analysis of selected psalms. Special attention is paid to themes and concepts that are particularly helpful for spiritual formation and ministry. Prerequisite: BIE 505 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 613 - Hebrew Exegesis II (3 hrs.) This course focuses on further developing the student’s competence in exegeting the Hebrew Bible. Emphasis is placed on enhancing both the knowledge base and the skills that are required to ascertain an Old Testament author’s meaning/intent when one studies a text in its original language, all with a view to preparing the student for expository preaching or teaching. Prerequisites: BIE 603; RES 500 |
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BIE 614 - Exposition of Genesis (3 hrs.) This study of Genesis seeks to elucidate the message and significance of the first book of the Hebrew canon. Historical, cultural and literary backgrounds are investigated, the content of the book is surveyed, selected portions are analyzed in detail, and key themes are highlighted. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisite: BIE 505 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 616 - Exposition of Exodus (3 hrs.) This study of Exodus seeks to elucidate the message and significance of the second book of the Hebrew canon. Historical, cultural and literary backgrounds are investigated, the content of the book is surveyed, selected portions are analyzed in detail, and key themes are highlighted. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 630 - Exposition of Job (3 hrs.) This course provides an introductory look at wisdom literature, an overview of the book of Job and more detailed analysis of selected sections. Special attention is paid to questions regarding the book's meaning, canonical function, interpretative history, and contemporary applicability. Prerequisite: BIE 505 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. Prerequisites: BIE 505; BIE 630; RES 500 |
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BIE 631 - Exposition of Ecclesiastes (3 hrs.) Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 640 - Topics in Septuagint Studies (3 hrs.) This course will focus on the reception history of the Septuagint in both Jewish and Christian canonical contexts, and in the works of early Jewish and Christian translators, revisors, and authors. The evidence for the transmission and interpretation of the Scriptures will be explored against the backdrop of this history, and selected texts will be studied. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 650 - Exposition of Jeremiah (3 hrs.) Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 673 - Exposition of Minor Prophets (2 hrs.) The student will survey the content of each book of the Twelve, or the so-called Minor Prophets, study selected portions in detail, and learn an exegetical method for discerning the essential contributions of these books to the biblical canon and to the Christian Church today. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisite: BIE 505 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 674 - Exposition of Minor Prophets (3 hrs.) The student will survey the content of each book of the Twelve, or the so-called Minor Prophets, study selected portions in detail, and learn an exegetical method for discerning the essential contributions of these books to the biblical canon and to the Christian Church today. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisite: BIE 505 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. Prerequisites: BIE 505; RES 500 |
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BIE 691 - Biblical Theology of Suffering (3 hrs.) Gustavo Gutierrez asks, "Are suffering human beings able to enter into an authentic relationship with God and find a correct way of speaking about God?" This is the core question of this course. We will give attention to both the spirituality for a theology of suffering and to the methods for framing a theology of suffering. Participants will be invited to consider ways in which their own view of suffering is being shaped. This course will examine various theological approaches to suffering including those of noted theologians: Dorothy Soelle, Jurgen Moltmann, Gustavo Gutierrez, Rubem Alves and Henri Nouwen. Nicolas Walterstorff suggests that "the valley of suffering is the vale of soul-making." We will explore the common explanations of suffering and learn to think theologically about the contours of suffering and hope in a broken world. |
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BIE 702 - Exposition of the Pauline Literature (3 hrs.) The student will survey the content and unique emphases of the Pauline letters, study selected portions in detail and in full context, and apply sound hermeneutical procedures to discern the essential theological contribution of these letters to the totality of biblical truth. The derivation of Paul's religious belief and the relationship of his thought to that of Jesus will be explored. Application of the results of exegesis to contemporary issues will be considered. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 703 - Exposition of General Epistles (3 hrs.) The student will survey the content and unique emphases of each book, study selected portions in detail, and apply sound hermeneutical procedures to discern the essential theological contribution of this section to the totality of biblical truth. Application of truth to contemporary issues will be considered. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisite: BIE 505 |
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BIE 704 - Exposition of the Johannine Corpus (3 hrs.) The student will survey the content and unique emphases of the Johannine Gospel, the Epistles and the Revelation, study selected portions in detail and in full context, and apply sound hermeneutical procedures to discern the essential theological contribution that these books make to the Bible's total message. Application of the results of exegesis to contemporary issues will be considered. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is included. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 705 - Exposition of Romans (2 hrs.) Provides a close reading of the text of Paul's most extraordinary epistle, considering issues of text, genre and context, but primarily seeking to understand what Paul was saying, with a view to its modern contextualization. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 706 - Exposition of Romans (3 hrs.) Provides a close reading of the text of Paul's most extraordinary epistle, considering issues of text, genre and context, but primarily seeking to understand what Paul was saying, with a view to its modern contextualization. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 709 - Exposition of First Corinthians (2 hrs.) Shortly after the Apostle Paul left the church at Corinth, which he himself had founded in the capital city of Achaia, an astonishing variety of problems arose in the congregation. Among them: cliquishness, sustained immorality, litigation, super-spirituality, intellectual elitism, custom breaking, charismania, and heresy, even failure to pay financial pledges. This course will offer an interpretation of 1 Corinthians which links these widely varied distortions to a single underlying spirituality, one that excessively values spirit at the expense of the body. There will be ample time for discussion on teaching and preaching from 1 Corinthians - a text from the life of the New Testament's best-known church and its relationship to contemporary congregations. Prerequisites: BIE 505 or equivalent |
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BIE 710 - Exposition of First Corinthians (3 hrs.) Shortly after the Apostle Paul left the church at Corinth, which he himself had founded in the capital city of Achaia, an astonishing variety of problems arose in the congregation. Among them: cliquishness, sustained immorality, litigation, super-spirituality, intellectual elitism, custom breaking, charismania, and heresy, even failure to pay financial pledges. This course will offer an interpretation of 1 Corinthians which links these widely varied distortions to a single underlying spirituality, one that excessively values spirit at the expense of the body. There will be ample time for discussion on teaching and preaching from 1 Corinthians - a text from the life of the New Testament's best-known church and its relationship to contemporary congregations. Prerequisites: BIE 505 or equivalent |
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BIE 711 - Exposition of Matthew (2 hrs.) In this course we will seek to discern the way Matthew wants his readers to understand the significance of Jesus Messiah and his new assembly. We must naturally come to terms with much of Jesus’ teaching in this exposition, but we will attempt to determine as well how Matthew understood the theological framework within which Jesus ministered. We will also pay attention to the many references to the Old Testament within this Gospel. By doing this, we seek to understand how Matthew’s articulation of Jesus as Messiah continues to have relevance for us in the twenty-first century. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 712 - Exposition of Matthew (3 hrs.) In this course we will seek to discern the way Matthew wants his readers to understand the significance of Jesus Messiah and his new assembly. We must naturally come to terms with much of Jesus’ teaching in this exposition, but we will attempt to determine as well how Matthew understood the theological framework within which Jesus ministered. We will also pay attention to the many references to the Old Testament within this Gospel. By doing this, we seek to understand how Matthew’s articulation of Jesus as Messiah continues to have relevance for us in the twenty-first century. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 713 - Exposition of Mark(2 hrs.) The student will study Mark's Gospel in detail, and apply sound hermeneutical procedures to discern the essential theological contribution. Old Testament linkages, the function of a Gospel, and literary issues will receive particular attention. Application of the results of exegesis to contemporary issues will be considered. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is required. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 714 - Exposition of Mark(3 hrs.) The student will study Mark's Gospel in detail, and apply sound hermeneutical procedures to discern the essential theological contribution. Old Testament linkages, the function of a Gospel, and literary issues will receive particular attention. Application of the results of exegesis to contemporary issues will be considered. Interaction with commentary and theological literature is required. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 718 - John's Gospel (3 hrs.) From the time it was called “the spiritual Gospel” in the early third century until today, John’s Gospel has exercised enormous appeal in the church. This Gospel is like a stream of various depths. The recent convert to the Christian faith will clearly and unmistakably encounter the person and identity of Jesus Christ in the text. At the same time, the mature disciple of Christ will find depths in John that will enrich and inspire – and probably challenge – faith. BEI 718A seeks to interpret John’s Gospel in its historical & literary contexts, explore its theological themes, and consider its significance for faithful Christian living. In addition, special attention will be given to the practical challenge of preaching and teaching John’s Gospel in the setting of the local church. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 720 - Exposition of Acts (3 hrs.) This course will examine the singular place that Paul occupies for Luke in the eventful and often turbulent earliest gospel witness to Judaism and to Gentile communities throughout the Roman Empire. A man possessing significant personal advantages in his world, Paul came to believe in and proclaim salvation through Jesus at great personal cost. His conversion and his Spirit-filled witness to a pluralistic society resonate powerfully today. This expositional study will seek to demonstrate how close attention to matters of Jewish and Greco-Roman backgrounds can illuminate the text, leading to more confident preaching and teaching. While instruction will give close attention to how the original language of the text reads, knowledge of Greek is not strictly required. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 722 - Hebrews (3 hrs.) The book of Hebrews is included with the General Epistles but will dealt with by itself due to its length and unique subject matter. The overall message of Hebrews is concise and a bit redundant; therefore, the point of the homily (Hebrews is generally referred to as a sermon) is fairly clear, but the individual points and in particular the summary statements have created a great deal of debate amongst the various theological strongholds. In this course we will look at the book as much as possible in its historical context, though not having a clear author does throw a hitch in some of our postulating. We will also see the message in both its first century and twenty-first century context. Prerequisite: BIE 505 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 733 - Exposition of Ephesians (2 hrs.) Paul's letter to the Ephesians is widely recognized as one of the great letters of the New Testament, a rhapsody on the wonder of salvation and the church. Commentators wax eloquent in describing the letter's beauty, and significance. F. F. Bruce referred to it as the "Quintessence of Paulinism;" J. N. Sanders described it as "The final summing up of the apostle's life, work and thought;" C. L. Mitton stated "Here Paul's theological thought, especially about the church, reaches a stage of development which exceeds all that preceded it." Such a book warrants our study. Ultimately we study God's word so that we can be transformed by the power of the gospel. Having been transformed we can then be agents of transformation, for Christ, and his kingdom. This course is an exegetical course, and is therefore also designed to promote transferable skills that can apply to the exegesis and exposition of any biblical book. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 734 - Exposition of Ephesians (3 hrs.) Paul's letter to the Ephesians is widely recognized as one of the great letters of the New Testament, a rhapsody on the wonder of salvation and the church. Commentators wax eloquent in describing the letter's beauty, and significance. F. F. Bruce referred to it as the "Quintessence of Paulinism;" J. N. Sanders described it as "The final summing up of the apostle's life, work and thought;" C. L. Mitton stated "Here Paul's theological thought, especially about the church, reaches a stage of development which exceeds all that preceded it." Such a book warrants our study. Ultimately we study God's word so that we can be transformed by the power of the gospel. Having been transformed we can then be agents of transformation, for Christ, and his kingdom. This course is an exegetical course, and is therefore also designed to promote transferable skills that can apply to the exegesis and exposition of any biblical book. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 735 - Exposition of Philippians (2 hrs.) This course will examine Paul's epistle to the Philippians, which is a bracing piece of Good News! In it believers are called to stand fast and contend for the faith, to run their race and to work out their salvation. But the call is not independent of the grace of God. Rather, it is full of the realization of complete dependency upon His sovereign work. The promise of this epistle, again and again, is that out of the believer's embrace and incarnation of the truth, joy will come! Prerequisite: BIE 505 Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 740 - Exposition of Pastoral Epistles (3 hrs.) The objective of this course is to engage an interpretive process that will prepare you confidently to preach and/or teach the “Pastoral Epistles.” Textbooks have been chosen and lectures will be given with sensitivity to those who do not have facility with Greek. Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
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BIE 742 - Gender Roles in Ministry (3 hrs.) The question of gender roles in church leadership and ministry has been an enormous source of controversy in the Christian community over the past generation, and it continues to challenge Christian organizations. This course will guide students through a careful biblical and theological study of the issue, equipping them to draw their own informed, biblically-grounded conclusions on the roles of men and women in ministry. It will also explore practical strategies to help the church leader guide his or her congregation through the issue in a constructive manner. It should be viewed as a practical exercise in theological problem-solving which will not only make you better equipped to deal with the specific issue of gender roles in Christian ministry, but also sharpen your skills in biblical exegesis, theological reflection, and their application in ministry. Cross-credited with THS 642 |
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BIE 766 - Exposition of the Revelation (3 hrs.) The course will apply exegetical and hermeneutical methodology to the exposition of Revelation within an understanding of the different hermeneutical perspectives regarding the book. Particular attention will be given in interpretation to the apocalyptic genre, the Old Testament background, and the first century context of Revelation. The significance of the themes included in the book will be explored in light of the contemporary situation. Prerequisites: RES 500 and BIE 505 |
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BIE 771 - Charismatic Theology of Luke (3 hrs.) This course is a biblical-theological exposition of the pneumatology of the Lucan literature. It evaluates the relevant Lucan data historically, grammatically and contextually. It discusses and applies appropriate hermeneutical principles for the interpretation of historical narrative. Where appropriate, modern interpreters of Lucan pneumatology will be critically evaluated. |
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BIE 800 - Directed Studies (3 hrs.) Prerequisites: BIE 505 |
