BE5101 Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics Alexander R. Gonzales, Ph.D.
3 hours credit
Dallas Theological Seminary (713) 917-3945 (office)
(817) 676-4589 (cell)
agonzales@dts.edu (e-mail)
BE5101 BIBLE STUDY METHODS AND HERMENEUTICS
SYLLABUS
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
“An introduction to inductive Bible study involving the steps of observation, interpretation (hermeneutics),
correlation, and application. Principles in these steps are applied to several biblical passages and books.
Required prerequisite or co-requisite to all Bible Exposition courses. 3 hours.”
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES
A. Cognitive Objectives: By the end of this class the student should be able to …
1. Implement a methodical approach to inductive Bible study steps of Observation, Interpretation,
Correlation, and Application.
2. Effectively function in the hermeneutical world of historical, cultural, rhetorical, and grammatical
interpretation.
3. Understand the need to exegete both the world of the text and the world of the reader for proper
biblical application.
B. Affective Objectives: By the end of this course, the student should …
1. Feel more confident in rightly handling all segments of the Word of God.
2. Appreciate the various literary genres chosen by God to communicate His mind to humanity.
3. Commit to the diligence necessary to be a qualified interpreter of the Scriptures.
III. COURSE TEXTBOOKS
Required
Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1991.
Robert A. Traina, Methodical Bible Study, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, reprint 1985.
Leland Ryken, How to Read the Bible as Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984.
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 9th rev. ed. Edited
by Wayne C. Booth, et al. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2013.
An unmarked edition of the New American Standard Bible (NASB) OR the English Standard Version
(ESV), without notes, outlines or other prepared study helps, is to be brought to every class unless the
student has it available during class on a laptop.
Suggested
Howard G. Hendricks and William D. Hendricks, Living by the Book. Chicago: Moody Press, 1991.
BE 5101, Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics 2
Mark Yarbrough, How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor. New York: FaithWords, 2015.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. Reading Assignments (Value 20%)
All of the required textbooks are to be read during the semester and by the dates listed in the course
schedule. A list of the topics and required reading is included in the schedule. Students will be asked at
the final class to report that they have completed the reading as scheduled. This reading accounts for
twenty percent (20 %) of the final grade.
B. Written Assignments (papers, journals, study exercises, charts, etc.) (Value 60%)
This is designed as a methods course. Practice is essential to perfect both the art and the skills of Bible
study. Assignments will be given at each class and are due at the time announced. These assignments
are to be submitted to the professor via Canvas according to the instructions that will be provided in
class. Students must complete 10 weekly assignments that will be given during the course. These
assignments will account for sixty percent (60 %) of the final grade.
The following criteria are used to determine the grade:
1. Completeness, all parts of the assignment were covered/included.
2. Accuracy, the assignment was on topic and the answers appropriate.
3. Clarity, the assignment was clearly and logically presented.
4. Style, the assignment was well written with correct grammar and spelling.
5. Creativity, when appropriate, will also be rewarded.
C. Course integration assignment (Value 20%)
No quizzes or examinations will be given. However, students must submit a written course integration
assignment by the end of this semester. This exposition of an assigned Bible passage will be 7 to 10
pages in length, typed, double spaced and include a bibliography of sources used. The purpose of this
assignment is to enable the student to apply the study methods and interpretive principles to a Bible
passage and make an appropriate application. This paper will account for 20 % of the final grade.
V. COURSE POLICIES
A. Weight Given to Course Requirements for Grading
1. Reading assignments account for twenty percent (20%) of the final grade.
2. Written assignments count for sixty percent (60%) of the final grade.
3. The course integration paper accounts for twenty percent (20%) of the final grade.
B. Class Participation
Students will be expected to participate in group projects and class discussion. They will also have
opportunity to share the results of their personal research with the rest of the class on a regular basis.
C. Late Assignments
Each weekly assignment is discussed in class on the date it is due, thus late assignments will not be
accepted. In the event of medical or similar emergency students are responsible to contact the
instructor. Alternative arrangements will be at the discretion of the instructor.
D. Absences
Students are expected to attend all class sessions but may miss the equivalent of 5 hours without
penalty or loss of grade. Extreme medical and family emergencies are rare however they do occur. In
such an unlikely case the instructor must be notified of the reason and any variation in policy will be at
his discretion.
E. Letter/Numerical Grade Scale
A+ 99-100 B+ 91-93 C+ 83-85 D+ 75-77 F 0-69
BE 5101, Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics 3
A 96-98 B 88-90 C 80-82 D 72-74
A- 94-95 B- 86-87 C- 78-79 D- 70-71
“A” represents Excellent work, “B” represents good work but with room for improvement, “C”
represents average but acceptable work, “D” represents work that was incomplete or inadequate in
some part, “F” represents inadequate work that is not acceptable for Master’s level study.
F. Plagiarism: Students must write papers in their own voice. Sources should be interacted with by
means of quotation and citation, not copied as if they were one’s own thoughts. The attempt to make
one’s paper look better than it is by not citing the sources for facts or by consistently borrowing
another’s work or line of thought without citing is considered deceitful and cannot be tolerated in an
academic setting. Students should learn appropriate research, writing and notation procedures. Avoid
the temptation to cut and paste from the Internet or other resources directly into your paper except
for specific, cited points which bolster your paper’s analysis. Plagiarism violations will result in
automatic failure of the project and possibly of the course, and disciplinary procedures in accordance
with the student handbook and student dean’s office.
G. Biblical Counseling Students (MABC)
Biblical Counseling students (MABC) taking 2 credit hours will only have to complete 7 of the 10
weekly assignments, and will only have to read two thirds of the required reading.
VI. COURSE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Disability policy. DTS does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the operation of any of its
programs and activities. To avoid discrimination the student is responsible for informing the Coordinator of
Services for Students with Disabilities and the course instructor of any disabling condition that will require
modifications.
Copyright and privacy of the professor: Classes may be recorded for personal study purposes or to make up
a missed class, but any recording or written copies of class notes should not be shared with those outside
the class, posted on the web, or published in any fashion without the express permission of the professor.
VII. COURSE LECTURES AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Class
1 Observation Assignment #1 Robert Traina, Methodical
Introduction to the course 25 Observations of Acts Bible Study, pages 3-49,
(translations, texts, and 1:8 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
tools for Bible Study). Interpretation, pages 9-26
Training the eye to see
what is in and around the
2 text. Assignment #2: Luke Robert Traina, Methodical
History and methods of 15:1-32 Bible Study, pages 49-80,
Bible interpretation. Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
Observing structural Interpretation, pages 59-75
progression and literary
The structural laws of laws.
literary composition and
probing a paragraph
3 Assignment #3 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
Interpretation, pages 27-58
Observing the structure
and surveying the book of
Philippians
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4 Interpretation Assignment #4 Robert Traina, Methodical
(Hermeneutics: the art Synthetic Chart of Bible Study, pages 93-189,
and science of Biblical Philippians Ryken, How to Read the Bible
interpretation) as Literature, pp. 155-163,
Where is the meaning? Robert Traina, Methodical
What are the “rules” of Bible Study, pages 235-243,
proper interpretation of 251-258
written material?
5 Historical and cultural Assignment #5 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
context of a Bible passage Word Study and Diagram Interpretation, pages 98-122,
Grammatical context and Robert Traina, Methodical
word studies Bible Study, pages 245-250
The synthesis and
6 argument of a Bible book. Assignment #6 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
Understanding and Background and Setting of Interpretation, pages 76-97
interpreting the literary Philemon
7 forms of the Bible: Assignment #7 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
Narrative Analysis Interpretation, pages 123-142
Ryken, How to Read the Bible
as Literature, pp. 11-86
8 Assignment #8 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
Parables Matt 22:1-14 Interpretation, pages 169-226
Ryken, How to Read the Bible
as Literature, pp. 131-153
9 Assignment #9 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
Poetry Interpretation, pages 143-168
Ryken, How to Read the Bible
as Literature, pp. 87-129
10 Assignment #10 Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
Prophetic Literature Interpretation, pages 227-278,
Ryken, How to Read the Bible
as Literature, pp. 155-197
11 Correlation and Start Integrative Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible
12 Application Assignment Interpretation, pages 279-292,
Putting it all together: The and Application Robert Traina, Methodical
Message and Theme, Bible Study, pages 203-231
Timeless principles and
application
Narrative passages, New
Testament Epistles and
parables, poetry
13 Integration
Who decides what the text means (Authorial intent,
Double authorship). Progressive Revelation.
Dispensational distinctions and interpretation
Additional issues in hermeneutics: Biblical theology,
meta-narrative (Bible wide story), typology, the use of
prior revelation, the use of the Old Testament in the
New (did they interpret the prior passage correctly?)
14 Finals Week Turn in Integrative
Assignment
BE 5101, Bible Study Methods and Hermeneutics 5
and Application
