|
Week |
2008 Session |
Topics |
|
1 |
June 30-July 4 | The Origins of Writing |
|
2 |
July 7-11 | The Hebrew Language
Read JSB 2062-67 “Languages of the Bible” |
|
3 |
July 14-18 | The World of the Bible
Read JSB 2048-61 “Historical and Geographical Background” JSB 2105-14 “Weight and Measures/Timeline” |
|
4 |
July 21-25 | The Nature of Biblical Scholarship
Read JSB 2084-96 “The Modern Study of the Bible” |
|
5 |
July 28-Aug 1 | The History of Biblical Scholarship
Read JSB 1829-1936 “Jewish Interpretation of the Bible” 2000-2020 “Jewish Women’s Scholarly Writings . . .” |
|
6 |
Aug 4-8 | Text and Canon of the OT
Read JSB 2067-83 “Textual Criticism” etc. |
Don’t forget also to read the book by Peter Enns, Inspiration and Incarnation during this time. A review will be do when you arrive on campus August 11. When you have finished reading it-or as you are reading it-post your preliminary thoughts: write a new post on the Home page.
Enns’ book
July 14, 2008 by peachycreeky
I’m enjoying reading Peter Enns book for the second time, this time much slower and taking notes. I find his comments helpful and his honesty encouraging. He doesn’t seem to gloss over the difficulties, and admits when he doesn’t have all the answers. I especially like his comment on page 48 (of my book): In speaking of the evidences of extra-biblical texts, he says, “Though they are not determinative, they are wholly relevant to how we understand today what the Bible is. To state the opposite, I reject the notion that a modern doctrine of scripture can be articulated in blissful isolation from the evidence we have.” I love that position, because it satisfies both my scriptural and acedemic curiosity and interest.
I feel that when thorny issues arise, it does a disservice to all Christondom to ignore them, discount them or try to explain them away. If the Bible is the word of God, and I believe it is, then it does not need defending from us, only clarification by what is meant in its context. The fact that we don’t understand it all does not invalidate it. It simply means we don’t have all the answers, and in fact, we may not ever have them all. Curiosity about so important a document as the Bible will always, and should always, garner question from the honestly seeking.
On a different note, I am in sympathy with all of you who have small children at home. Not because you have children, but because it makes it a little more difficult to find time to take classes. Demands by family are substantial, and I’m confident that makes it a challenge to get everything done. I’ll pray for patience and strength for you all.