Academic courses – unit descriptions
Undergraduate biblical units
Successful completion of learning objectives and assessment requirements assumes that students have access to the required learning resources listed for consultation and reference.
Note: unit descriptions are correct at time of publishing; however students should check with their lecturer before purchasing any required text books, or if there are any difficulties purchasing them.
BIB1001 Bible Introduction 1
BIB1002 Bible Introduction 2
BIB1003 The Bible Today
BIB1005 Bible Study Method
BIB1006 The Pentateuch
BIB1007 Psalms
BIB1008 Prophets
BIB1010 Synoptic Gospels and Acts
BIB1011 Pauline Letters
BIB1012 John Peter Hebrews
BIB1013 Mission and Spirit in Acts
BIB1014 New Testament Backgrounds
BIB1020 Biblical Theology
BIB1001 Bible Introduction 1
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
This unit helps the students to gain an overview of the Old Testament by reading each book and identifying its structure, purpose, and main theological themes. It prepares them for further study of the Bible and work in all other theological disciplines.
Required texts:
- Drane, John, 2005. Introducing the Bible, Fortress, Minneapolis MN.
- The Bible, preferably the NRSV or the TNIV. Please seek advice from lecturer before purchasing a Study Bible edition.
BIB1002 Bible Introduction 2
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
This unit of the course helps the students to gain an overview of the New Testament by reading each book and identifying its structure, purpose, and main theological themes. It prepares them for further study of the Bible and work in all other theological disciplines.
Required texts:
- The Bible, preferably the NRSV or the TNIV. Please seek advice from lecturer before purchasing a Study Bible edition.
- Burge, Gary M, Lynn H Cohick and Gene L Green, 2009. The New Testament in antiquity, Zondervan, Grand Rapids MI.
BIB1003 The Bible Today
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
Core unit of the DipTh and all related diploma courses: elective for other courses.
The general purpose of the unit is to give students knowledge of the nature, content and purpose of the Old and the New Testament Scriptures.
Required texts:
- The Bible, a standard and reasonably accurate translation, is recommended, such as NRSV, TNIV, NIV and ESV. Seek advice from lecturer before purchasing a Study Bibleedition.
- Arnold, Bill T and Brian E Beyer, 2008. Encountering the Old Testament: a Christian survey, 2nd ed, Baker, Grand Rapids MI [with CD-ROM].
- Elwell, Walter A and Robert W Yarbrough, 2005. Encountering the New Testament: a historical and theological survey, 2nd ed, Baker, Grand Rapids MI [with CD-ROM].
- Jacobson, Diane L and Robert Kysar, 1991. A beginner’s guide to the books of the Bible, Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis MN.
Notes:
Students taking this unit at ACU Brisbane campus (McAuley at Banyo) should contact the lecturer for advice on required texts there
Students taking this unit via online study mode require the following texts:
- Drane, John, 2000. Introducing the Old Testament, 2nd ed., Lion, Oxford, England.
- Drane, John, 1999. Introducing the New Testament, 2nd ed., Lion, Oxford, England.
BIB1005 Bible Study Method
Prerequisites:
- The Bible Today, or Bible Introduction 1 and 2, or equivalent units are desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
Elective unit
This unit seeks to develop in students a proficiency in preparing Bible studies for use in parish and classroom settings. It does this by teaching a method of exegesis that can be used by students who cannot work with Hebrew or Greek. The basic concepts of biblical hermeneutics are introduced, and the distinctive principles of Lutheran hermeneutics.
Required texts:
- Gorman, Michael, 2009. Elements of biblical exegesis: a basic guide for students and ministers, rev ed, Hendrickson, Peabody MA.
BIB1006 The Pentateuch
Prerequisites:
- Bible Introduction 1 and 2, or The Bible Today
- Hebrew 1 and 2 are desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
This unit seeks to familiarise students with the contents, the theological themes and the literary composition of Genesis and Exodus, paying attention to New Testament connections and contemporary application.
Required texts:
- Wenham, Gordon J, 2003. The Pentateuch, Exploring the Old Testament, volume 1, SPCK, London UK.
BIB1007 Psalms
Prerequisites:
- Bible Introduction 1 and 2, or The Bible Today
- Hebrew 1 and 2 are desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
This unit teaches students to read, interpret and understand the Hebrew text of the psalms according to their genre, setting and structure, so that they can appreciate the liturgical, devotional and pastoral use of the Psalter in the life of the church.
Required texts:
- Bullock, C Hassell, 2004. Encountering the Book of Psalms: a literary and theological introduction, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids MI.
- Elliger, K and W Rudolph, eds, 1987. Biblica Hebraica Stuttgartensia, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. [supplied by Bible Society]
BIB1008 Prophets
Prerequisites:
- Bible Introduction 1 and 2, or The Bible Today
- Hebrew 1 and 2 are desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
The unit will lead students into a study of selected prophetical writings and demonstrate the relevance of the OT prophecy for the issues of today and for teaching and preaching.
Required texts:
- McConville, Gordon, 2002. Prophets, Exploring the Old Testament, volume 4, SPCK, London UK.
BIB1010 Synoptic Gospels and Acts
Prerequisites:
- Pauline Letters, or a unit in exegetical methodology, and Greek 1 and 2 are desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
This unit builds on exegetical skills acquired in the unit Pauline Letters, and familiarises students with the tools and techniques required for interpreting the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. It provides students with the opportunity to explore the history of the gospel tradition and the origin of the Synoptic Gospels and to exegete sections of the Greek text of the Synoptics and Acts. Studies in the core message of John the Baptist, of Jesus, and of the early church in Acts, will help to provide further basis for systematic and pastoral studies, especially preaching.
Required texts:
- Aland, Barbara and Kurt Aland, eds, 1998. The Greek New Testament with dictionary, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft / United Bible Societies. [Supplied by Bible Society]
- Powell, Mark A, 1998, Fortress introduction to the Gospels, Fortress, Minneapolis MN.
BIB1011 Pauline Letters
Prerequisites:
- Greek 1 and 2 are desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
This unit will contribute to
- increasing familiarity with the primary texts, Romans and 1 Corinthians
- increasing students’ awareness of the main issues in the exegesis of these texts
- developing students’ confidence in handling these texts in preaching and teaching
- helping students develop the skills of interpreting Paul’s letters.
Required texts:
- The Bible, preferably the NRSV or the TNIV. Please seek advice from lecturer before purchasing a Study Bible edition.
- Aland, Barbara and Kurt Aland, eds, 1998. The Greek New Testament with Dictionary, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft /United Bible Societies. [Supplied by Bible Society]
- Franzmann, Martin H, 1986. Romans, Concordia, St Louis MO.
- Lockwood, Gregory J, 2000. 1 Corinthians, Concordia, St Louis MO.
BIB1012 John Peter Hebrews
Prerequisites:
- At least one unit of New Testament exegesis
- Greek 1 and 2 are highly desirable but not essential
Course unit purpose:
Elective unit
This unit will contribute to:
- mutual strengthening in faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God
- increased familiarity with the primary texts, particularly the Gospel of John and 1 Peter
- increased awareness of the main issues in the exegesis of these texts
- greater confidence in handling these texts in preaching and Bible studies
Required texts:
- Aland, Barbara and Kurt Aland, eds, 1998. The Greek New Testament with dictionary, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft / United Bible Societies. [Supplied by Bible Society]
- The Bible, preferably the NRSV or the TNIV. Please seek advice from lecturer before purchasing a Study Bible edition.
BIB1013 Mission and Spirit in Acts
Prerequisites:
- Bible Introduction 1 and 2, and Greek 1 and 2 are highly recommended but not essential
Course unit purpose:
The purpose of this unit is to guide students through exegetical studies on the Greek text of the Acts of the Apostles with special reference to problems relating to the early history of the church and with special attention to the particular goals and aims of the author of this first 'Church History’.
Required texts:
- Aland, Barbara and Kurt Aland, eds, 1998. The Greek New Testament with dictionary, Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft / United Bible Societies. [Supplied by Bible Society]
- Krodel, Gerhard A, 1986. Acts, Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament, Augsburg, Minneapolis MN.
BIB1014 New Testament Backgrounds
Prerequisites:
- Nil
Course unit purpose:
This unit provides students with the opportunity to explore the political, social, cultural, and religious milieu of Jesus’ ministry and of the early church as it spread into the Greco-Roman world. Reading the New Testament writings in their own context provides the necessary background to interpreting the gospel in our own context.
Required texts:
- Barrett, C K, ed, 1995. The New Testament background: writings from ancient Greece and the Roman Empire that illuminate Christian origins, rev ed, HarperSanFrancisco, San Francisco CA.
- Ferguson, Everett, 2003. Backgrounds of early Christianity, 3rd ed, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids MI.
BIB1020 Biblical Theology
Prerequisites:
- Bible Introduction 1 and 2; or, The Bible Today
- A unit in exegetical methodology is highly recommended but not essential.
Course unit purpose:
This is a core unit of the BTh/BMin ordination stream; elective for other courses.
This unit provides an introduction to the discipline of biblical theology, which integrates the contents and theological themes of the Old and New Testaments as the essential foundation for Christian faith, life, and ministry. It proceeds by identifying and expounding three broad and interrelated themes: God, land, and people. Through this process, it seeks to enable students to listen to the text in fresh ways—not just its harmonies, but also its creative dissonances. Students will be challenged and nurtured to think theologically and pastorally about these themes (and others), and to reflect critically on the claims of Christian faith regarding the contemporary world.
Required texts
- Birch, Bruce C, et al, 2005. A theological introduction to the Old Testament, Abingdon, Nashville TN.
- Brueggemann, Walter, 2008. The land: place as gift, promise, and challenge in biblical faith, 2nd ed, Overtures to Biblical Theology, Fortress, Minneapolis MN.
- Wright, N Thomas, 1992. The New Testament and the people of God (Christian origins and the question of God), Fortress, Minneapolis MN.
Updated: 13/09/2011 [1.02]
ALC | RTO/state code: 90032 | National code: 2287 | CRICOS No: 00707J | ACN: 108 602 151
Copyright © Australian Lutheran College
Home | Disclaimer | Privacy | Feedback | Site map | Top of page