Scripture Courses

BBL 511 Introduction to the Old Testament: the Pentateuch and the Historical Literature
Required Theology I

A survey of the Pentateuch and the historical literature of the Old Testament, with a focus on three key events in the history of ancient Israel: the Exodus, the United Monarchy, and the Exile. Envisioned outcomes: a familiarity with the major traditions of the Pentateuch; an ability to distinguish the features of Chronicler’s history from the Deuteronomist’s history; a generic recognition and appreciation of the diverse ways in which biblical authors speak of their experience of God; an ability to read and interpret the Old Testament responsibly as both literature and sacred text. Format: lecture and discussion. Kitz; three semester hours

BBL 512 The Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament Required Theology II

A survey of the development of Israelite prophecy, with a focused study of selected prophets, prophetic texts, and their historical contexts. Envisioned outcomes: a familiarity with the works which comprise the major and minor prophetic writings of the Old Testament; an understanding of how the message of the prophets was influenced by the historical periods in which they were each immersed; an appreciation of the prophetic vision of God’s Word active in history. Format: lecture and discussion. Kitz; two semester hours

BBL 513 The Psalms and the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament Required Theology IV

A study of the psalms and the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, with attention to the use of the psalms in the Church’s liturgy. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to recognize and interpret the main literary types within the Psalter; a sense of the historical context of the principal psalms; an appreciation of the main characteristics of Hebrew poetry; an ability to engage the Christian spiritual interpretation of the psalms, especially the Christological interpretation; a familiarity with the context and the principal concerns of the wisdom literature. Format: lecture and discussion. Kitz; three semester hours

BBL 514 The Synoptic Gospels and Acts Required Theology I

An exegetical survey of the three Synoptic Gospels. Envisioned outcomes: an introduction to the current state of research on the Synoptic Gospels, an understanding of the spiritual implications of the Gospels’ writings on the New Evangelization and the preaching munus, an appreciation of the Gospels as literary-rhetorical communications with an oral pattern addressed to first century Mediterranean audiences, an ability to exegete passages for use in preaching and pastoral ministry, an ability to articulate major Synoptic theological themes and concepts. Format: lectures, student panel presentations, and use of blackboard.com. Soto; three semester hours

BBL 515 The Johannine Literature of the New Testament Required Theology IV

An exegetical presentation of the Gospel and Letters of John. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to interpret Johannine passages in their context, with attention to such key features as irony, symbolism, characterization, and spirituality; an ability to derive key concepts, themes, and messages from these texts for personal formation and pastoral ministry. Format: lecture and discussion. Soto; three semester hours

BBL 516 The Pauline Literature of the New Testament Required Theology II

An exegetical survey of the 13 letters of the Pauline tradition. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to interpret the letters as literary-rhetorical communications within their milieu of Greco-Roman culture and Jewish apocalyptic eschatology; an ability to derive key concepts, themes, and messages from these texts for personal formation and pastoral ministry. Format: lectures, student panel presentations, and use of blackboard.com. Soto; three semester hours

BBL 554 Post-exilic Old Testament Literature

A review of the history and literature of Judah during the Post-exilic period. Special attention will be given to the theological issues of the time as evidenced in the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, and 1 and 2 Maccabees. Envisioned outcomes: an appreciation of the era’s unique theological concerns and their contribution to the development of Christianity; an ability to assimilate these issues in preaching, biblical studies, and personal formation. Format: lecture and discussion. Staff; two semester hours

BBL 557 The Books of Jeremiah and Isaiah

A close reading of the books of Jeremiah and Isaiah with particular emphasis on the interpretation and development of their prophetic messages. Special consideration will be given to the context and meaning of those passages used in today’s liturgy. Envisioned outcomes: a skill in identifying the theological themes and messages in these texts; an ability to incorporate practically these concepts in homilies, personal reflection and biblical studies. Format: lecture and discussion. Kitz; two semester hours

BBL 574 The Letter to the Hebrews

An exegetical presentation of the Letter to the Hebrews. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to interpret Hebrews as literary-rhetorical communications within its respective historical and literary contexts; an ability to derive key concepts, themes, and messages from this text for personal formation and pastoral ministry. Format: instructor and student led seminar sessions with use of blackboard.com. Staff; two semester hours

BBL 575 The Book of Revelation

An exegetical presentation of the Book of Revelation. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to interpret Revelation as a literary-rhetorical communication within its milieu of Greco-Roman culture and Jewish apocalyptic eschatology; an ability to derive key concepts, themes, and messages from this text for personal formation and pastoral ministry. Format: instructor and student led seminar sessions with use of blackboard.com. staff; two semester hours

BBL 576 The Catholic Epistles

An exegetical presentation of the Letters of James, 1 Peter, Jude, and 2 Peter. Envisioned outcomes: an ability to interpret these letters as literary-rhetorical communications within their respective historical and literary contexts, an ability to derive key concepts, themes, and messages from this text for personal formation and pastoral ministry. Format: instructor and student led seminar sessions with use of blackboard.com.staff; two semester hours