206 Schedule

Vanderbilt University
Department of Religious Studies, College of Arts and Science

"Tentative" SCHEDULE of CLASSES

(NOTE: For each week, Readings include the reading of the biblical book under study by your group)

>>> M-Jan. 10 3:10 - 4:00 INTRODUCTION: IF YOU CAN JOIN US

Presentation of the Semester (and of this Syllabus)

o Why study Global Interpretations of Christian Scriptures? Why we need to "Read with" Others? For ethical reasons. For theological reasons. For critical reasons.
o Pedagogical Goals of this Seminar: (see Appendix # 1 to this syllabus)

o Practical Steps of this Seminar: (see Appendix # 2 to this syllabus)

Group exercise: reading Luke 17:11-19

Choosing leaders for Jan 24 (see below)

SUGGESTED READINGS:

1) Patte, Stubbs, Ukpong, Velunta: The Gospel of Matthew: A Contextual Introduction pp. 7-14; 19-41
2) Global Bible Commentary = GBC pp. XXI-XXXII (Introduction)

>>> Jan 17, [no class; MLK day] Go and listen to Julian Bond at 4:30 Langford Auditorium

Class Replaced by a visit of/attendance to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church [on either Feb 13] of the worship service ("The Divine Liturgy") followed by a question/answer period with the Priest, Fr. Gregory Hohnholteither, or one of his assistant - at 10 AM (meeting at 9:30 AM) to about noon -in preparation of our discussion of Greek Orthodox interpretations of the Gospel of John and Hebrews

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 4905 Franklin Pike Nashville, TN 37220

>>> M-Jan. 24

a) 3:10 Why study Global Interpretations of Christian Scriptures? Why we need to "Read with" Others? Ethical reasons. Theological reasons. Critical reasons.

Preliminary presentation of 4 types of Contextual interpretations of the Bible: = FOUR WAYS IN WHICH INTERPRETATIONS ARE CONTEXTUAL: 1) Inculturation (primarily emphasized by African scholars); 2) Liberation (primarily emphasized by Latin American scholars); 3) Inter(con)textual (primarily emphasized by Asian scholars); 4) Sacramental/liturgical (primarily emphasized by Eastern Orthodox scholars). [You will need to choose one type of contextual interpretation for your paper.]

Preliminary presentation of 5 types of strategies for becoming self-conscious about the contextual character of biblical interpretations: 1) paying attention to the ways in which they "affect certain groups of people" (e.g., an aspect of feminist interpretations); 2) studying the history of reception (Wirkungsgeschichte) of biblical texts (early Jewish receptions; in the New Testament; and later through history up to today: "Reception/Scriptural Criticism," primarily emphasized by Western European and North American scholars), 3) "reading with ordinary readers" (emphasized by 2/3 world scholars); 4) "breaking biblical texts" (using traditional ways of reading, particular to each culture); 5) "producing alternate contextual interpretations" (and in the process showing the contextual character of other interpretations). [You will need to choose one strategy for your paper.] Importance of accounting for the ways in which readers are positively or negatively affected by readings of Scripture.

READINGS:

1) The Gospel of Matthew: A Contextual Introduction pp. 7-14; 19-41
2) Global Bible Commentary = GBC pp. XXI-XXXII

3) The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Inculturation" "Scriptural Criticism"

SUGGESTED: The Bible in a World Context "Inculturation hermeneutics: An African Approach" 17-32, 59-70.

b) 3:40 Group Discussion (two examples of Inculturation):

Group 1: LUKE by Justin Ukpong (Nigeria);
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

Group 2: COLOSSIANS by Teresa Okure (Nigeria)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

READINGS: Global Bible Commentary = GBC LUKE by Ukpong (Nigeria)

Global Bible Commentary = GBC COLOSSIANS by Okure (Nigeria)

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Mission (several articles); Nigeria (Christianity in);

c) 4:30-5:30 Lecture: Classical Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: Roles of Scripture in MUSLIM AND JEWISH INTERPRETATIONS: Islam and Qur'an ; Pharisees and Scripture, Midrash, Targum

SUGGESTED: Wilfred Cantwell Smith, What is Scripture? A Comparative Approach. Pp. 1-44 (45-64); Scripture in Islam pp. 65-91; Scripture In Judaism, pp. 91-123

>>> M- Jan 31

3:10 Quiz # 1; Basic concepts & approaches presented in the readings and discussions of January 24th : The Gospel of Matthew: A Contextual Introduction pp. 7-14; 19-41 (and 42-88); Global Bible Commentary pp. XXI-XXXII; The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Inculturation" "Scriptural Criticism"

a) 3:20 Contemporary Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: "LIBERATION HERMENEUTICS"

READINGS: The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Liberation Theologies" (multiple articles) "Oppression"

SUGGESTED: The Bible In a World Context. pp. 3-15, 53-58. Elsa Tamez "Reading the Bible under a Sky without Star" and "A Star illuminates the darkness and Kwok Pui-lan, "Post-Colonial Studies and Feminist Biblical Interpretation" pp. 77-99 in Post-Colonial Imagination & Feminist Theology

b) 3:40 Group Discussion (two examples of liberation interpretation)

Group 1: 1 TIMOTHY by Elsa Tamez (Costa Rica)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

Group 2: EXODUS by Jorge Pixley (Nicaragua)

Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

READINGS:

GBC 1 TIMOTHY by Elsa Tamez (Costa Rica) or EXODUS by Jorge Pixley (Nicaragua)

Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Pastoral Letters" "Exodus" "Costa Rica" or "Nicaragua"

c) 4:30 Lecture: Classical Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: APOCALYPTIC JUDAISM (QUMRAN)

READINGS: The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Qumran" "Dead Sea Scrolls" "Apocalypticism"

SUGGESTED: Smith, What is Scripture? A Comparative Approach In Judaism, pp. 91-123 (review)

>>> M-Feb 7

a) 3:10 Contemporary Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: INTER(CON)TEXTUAL HERMENEUTICS

READINGS: Kwok, Pui Lan. "Discovering the Bible in the Non-Biblical World: The Journey Continues." Journal of Asian and Asian-American Theology 2 No 1 (Sum 1997): pp. 64-77. (see WEB Page)

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Bible Interpretation Cluster" (multiple articles)

SUGGESTED: Yeo Khiok-khng, Navigating Romans Through Cultures, pp. 1-20; 259-294. The Bible In a World Context pp. 33-49, 71-75.

b) 3:40 Group Discussion

Group 1: LAMENTATIONS by Archie Lee (China)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

Group 2: JOHN by Kyung-mi Park (Korea)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

READINGS: GBC LAMENTATIONS by Archie Lee; THE GOSPEL OF JOHN by Kyung-mi Park

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Lamentations" "John, Gospel of" "Hong Kong" & "China" or "Korea" (Christianity in)

c) 4:50 Lecture: Classical Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: Early Christians Interpretations of Scriptures; by Paul, and Matthew.

READINGS: The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Bible Interpretation Cluster" (multiple articles)

>>> Sunday Feb. 13: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church; attending the "The Divine Liturgy" (worship service) followed by a question/answer period with the Priest, Fr. Gregory Hohnholteither - at 10 AM (meeting at 9:30 AM) to about noon -in preparation of our discussion of Greek Orthodox interpretations of the Gospel of John and Hebrews Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 4905 Franklin Pike Nashville, TN 37220 (replacing class missed on Monday Jan 17)

>>> M-Feb. 14

a) 3:10 Contemporary Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: SACRAMENTAL-LITURGICAL HERMENEUTICS

READINGS: James Chukwuma Okoye, "Power and Worship: Revelation in Africa" pp. 110-126 in Rhoads, From Every People and Nation.

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "Liturgies, History of"

b) 3:40 Group Discussions

Group 1: JOHN Petros Vassiliadis (Greece)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

Group 2: HEBREWS Stelian Tofanâ (Romania)

Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

READINGS: GBC JOHN (Petros Vassiliadis, Greece) or GBC HEBREWS (Stelian Tofanâ, Romania) The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity "John, Gospel of" or "Hebrews"; "Greece" or "Romania" (Christianity in)

c) 4:30 Lecture: Classical Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: PATRISTIC AND MIDDLE AGE

SUGGESTED: The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Patristics; Patristic Thought; Patristic Thought in Orthodox Christianity. A Short History of the Interpretation of the Bible. pp. 39-91

>>> M-Feb. 21

a) 3:10 Strategies for Becoming Self-Conscious about the Contextual Character of Biblical Interpretations: "READING WITH ORDINARY READERS"

READINGS: GBC, Gerald West, pp. 96-99;
Blount, "The Witness of Active Resistance: The Ethics of Revelation in African-American Perspective' pp. 28-46, in Rhoads, From Every People and Nation

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Postcolonialism and Christian Theology

SUGGESTED: The Academy of the Poor Gerald West or Vítor Westhelle, "Revelation 13: Between the Colonial and the Postcolonial, a Reading from Brazil" pp. 183-199 in Rhoads, From Every People and Nation .

b) 3:40 Group Discussions

Group 1: 1- 2 SAMUEL Gerald West (Kwa-Zulu, S. Africa)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

Group 2: EPHESIANS John Riches (Scotland, U.K.)

Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

READINGS: GBC 1 and 2 SAMUEL Gerald West or EPHESIANS John Riches

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Samuel, 1 & 2 or Ephesians; South Africa or United Kingdom (Christianity in)

c) 5:00 Lecture: Classical Models for the Interpretation of Scriptures: Modern Ways of Reading the Bible; Historical Critical Biblical Studies: Example, "The Quest of the Historical Jesus"

READINGS: GBC pp. 329-349. Jesus in Asian, African, Latin American, Orthodox, Western Perspectives.
The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Jesus; Jesus, Images of, Cluster (multiple articles)

SUGGESTED: Kwok, Pui-lan. "On Color-Coding Jesus," pp. 176-188 in Sugirtharajahm ed. The Post-Colonial Bible.

DUE Monday Feb 21 10 AM *****CHOOSING A BIBLICAL BOOK you must have chosen a biblical book by February 21 AT 10 AM (EMAILED with two ranked alternates) [[Any biblical book EXCEPT THOSE DISCUSSED IN CLASS in the first part of the Semester; or chosen by someone else]]

>>> M-Feb 28 Due: PAPER PROPOSAL/TAKE-HOME MID-TERM DUE

a) 3:10 Strategies for Becoming Self-Conscious about the Contextual Character of Biblical Interpretations: STUDYING THE HISTORY OF RECEPTION & SCRIPTURAL CRITICISM

READINGS: The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Scriptural Criticism; Reception Studies of;
SUGGESTED READINGS: Grenholm & Patte "Overture: Receptions, Critical Interpretations, and Scriptural Criticism" pp. 1-44 in Reading Israel in Romans

b) 3:40 Group Discussions

Group 1: LEVITICUS Alan Cooper and Susan Scholz (USA and Germany)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

Group 2: ROMANS Daniel Patte (USA and France)

Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

READINGS: GBC LEVITICUS Alan Cooper and Susan Scholz or ROMANS Daniel Patte

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Leviticus; Romans; Judaism and Christianity Cluster; Anti-Semitism; Supersessionism; and either Germany (Christianity in) or France (Christianity in)

c) 5:00 Lecture: The topic of your paper

Mar. 5-13 **Spring BREAK ***

>>> M-Mar. 14

a) 3:10 Strategies for Becoming Self-Conscious about the Contextual Character of Biblical Interpretations: "BREAKING BIBLICAL TEXTS" and "PRODUCING ALTERNATE CONTEXTUAL INTERPRETATIONS"

READINGS: GBC NUMBERS Jione Havea or EZRA-NEHEMIAH Donna Fewell

SUGGESTED READINGS: Tina Pippin "The Heroine and the Whore: The Apocalypse of John in a Feminist Perspective" pp. 127-145, and Barbara Rossing, "For the Healing of the World; Reading Revelation Ecologically" pp. 165-182 in Rhoads, From Every People and Nations. A Short History of the Interpretation of the Bible. Robert Grant and David Tracy, pp. 155-187

b) 3:40 Group Discussions

Group 1: NUMBERS Jione Havea (Pacific Islands)
Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

Group 2: EZRA-NEHEMIAH Donna Fewell (USA)

Presenter of GBC : ___________________

Leader (his/her own vs. GBC): ___________________

Respondent to Leader : ___________________

READINGS: GBC NUMBERS Jione Havea or EZRA-NEHEMIAH Donna Fewell

The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity Numbers or Ezra & Nehemia; Papua New Guinea & History of Christianity in South Pacific; or United States of America (Christianity in)

SECOND PART OF SEMESTER: DISCUSSION OF

PAPERS-IN-THE-MAKING & corresponding readings in GBC $ CDC

M-Mar. 21 Biblical books chosen by students for their papers and related readings in Global Bible Commentary and The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity

DISCUSSION OF PARTS 1-2 OF THE PAPERS OF THREE OF YOU How does each compare with the corresponding GBC chapters? [with handout by presenters sent Thursday by e-mail].