Harvest Bible College - Biblical Studies

BIBLICAL STUDIES UNITS

Acts

This study of Acts will consider its composition, structure, and historical milieu. Key events will be addressed, as will the study of key individuals. In particular, events surrounding the Day of Pentecost, the expansion of the early church and other key issues will be examined.

Biblical Hermeneutics

This unit builds on material introduced in Biblical Studies and Academic Writing and Exegesis: Corinthian Correspondence by introducing students to further issues in exegesis, other methods in interpretation and different approaches for application of Biblical texts.

Biblical Studies and Academic Writing

Combined with Exegesis: Corinthian Correspondence replaces the previous Bachelor unit Hermeneutics

This unit helps students establish good processes for reading the Bible, while simultaneously teaching students the conventions of academic writing.

VU20352 Apply the Christian bible in a Christian ministry context

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to explore the meaning and application of the Bible in a Christian setting.

Exegesis: Corinthian Correspondence

Combined with Biblical Studies and Academic Writing, Exegesis: Corinthian Correspondence replaces the previous Bachelor unit Hermeneutics; also replaces the Graduate unit Hermeneutics

The primary goal of this unit is to help students develop an ability to read and interpret biblical literature with competence, using the Corinthian letters of Paul as a case study.

VU20386 Analyse New Testament literature

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to exegete and apply passages within chosen literature of the Christian New Testament Bible.

Greek 1

This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of Biblical Greek.  Students will learn the Greek alphabet and be able to translate simple phrases of New Testament Greek text and begin to recognise basic verb and noun patterns.

Greek 2

Building on the material of Greek 1, this unit extends students’ knowledge of Greek by learning to read and translate passages from the Greek New Testament.  Furthermore students will learn how to correctly interpret the forms of Greek language used in selected passages, proceeding to analyse verb and noun patterns.

Hebrew 1

In this unit, students are introduced to the alphabet, morphology and basic grammar of Biblical Hebrew. This will build a foundation for further study of the original text. This will enable student to exegete simple passages.

Hebrew 2

In this unit, students learn to understand Biblical Hebrew further, in grammar, alphabet and vocabulary; becoming more accurate in interpreting the forms of the Hebrew language in the text of the Hebrew Bible. Furthermore, the importance of context in translation and exegesis will be explored, with an expectation that upon completion of the unit, students would be sufficiently equipped to read, translate and exegete simple narrative or poetry phrases from the original Hebrew text.

Ministry Book Study: John

This is a ministry-focussed unit designed to help students read and communicate the message of John’s Gospel in a contemporary context such as a local church and community.

New Testament Exegetical Method (English)

This unit is primarily focused on exegetical method, with particular focus on the two main genres in the New Testament: Gospels and Letters. Critical biblical scholarship will be analysed regarding specific New Testament passages, while issues involved in translating Greek into English will also be considered.

New Testament Exegetical Method (Greek)

Previously known as: New Testament Exegesis

This unit is primarily focused on exegetical method, with particular focus on the two main genres in the New Testament: Gospels and Letters. Critical biblical scholarship will be analysed regarding specific New Testament passages, while issues involved in translating Greek into English will also be considered.

New Testament Pastoral Letters (English)

Previous Equivalent Unit: Pauline Literature
Through a study of the shorter letters of Paul, James, Peter and John, this unit reviews and compares their purposes, strategies, form and orality as a genre of New Testament pastoral letters. Particular attention is given to the significant critical, theological and ethical issues, whilst discussing relevance for Christian life and ministry today.

New Testament Survey

This unit provides a ‘big picture’ view of the setting, circumstances and themes surrounding the New Testament. This unit will provide students with a foundational grasp of the New Testament documents and serves as a spring-board for later in-depth study of its individual books.

VU20354 Create a ministry resource using the New Testament

This unit is an overview of the knowledge and skills required to describe, investigate and share the Christian Bible in the context of the New Testament writings

Old Testament Prophetic Literature

Previously known as Prophetic Literature

Examining Old Testament Prophetic Literature, this unit discusses the content, historicity and critical issues of particular passages as they are interpreted using valid exegetical methods.  As well as analysing key theological and ethical themes, students will explore the relationship between Old Testament Prophetic Literature and the Christian Gospel, and  application of key ideas to contemporary life and ministry.

Old Testament Survey

This unit is an introduction to the literature of the Old Testament. Using mainly  a  chronological approach , attention will be given to the historic and cultural background, messianic images, geography of the Old Testament, and major themes of each book.

VU20353 Create a ministry resource using the Old Testament

This unit is an overview of the knowledge and skills required to, investigate, describe and share the Christian Bible in the context of the Old Testament writings for ministry purposes.

Pentateuch

This unit discusses key issues, characters, events and teachings of each of the five books of the Pentateuch, assembling central theological ideas of the Pentateuch.  Also considered, are key critical issues concerning genre, authorship and historical reliability, whilst exploring the relevance and application of the Pentateuch’s teaching to the 21st century.

Romans and Galatians

This unit provides an exegetical and thematic introduction to Paul’s exposition of the gospel to the churches in Galatia and Rome, giving special attention to the apostle’s views on righteousness, the law, the equal standing of Jews and Gentiles with God, and the implication of the gospel in mission.  Controversial issues in interpretation of Romans and Galatians will also be discussed, tracing the ‘arguments’ in the light of their occasion and purpose.