Essentials for Biblical Interpretation
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Foundations in Faith & Leadership

Essentials for Biblical Interpretation

Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio and Dr. Elizabeth “Ebby” Arnold

Do you want to gain perspectives and skills that will enrich your reading, interpreting, and teaching of Scripture? Old and New Testament faculty at Candler School of Theology will help you engage the Bible for all it’s worth. Work through each lesson at your own pace and return anytime.

100% Asynchronous 4 Units Self-Paced

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01
Unit 1
The Bible and Its Formation
Canon, translation, and the history of Scripture
17 Lessons
Introduction
Video · Unit 1
The Bible is Not A Book
Video · Unit 1
The Bible is Not a Book — Part 2
Video · Unit 1
The Bible is Not a Book — Part 3
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Didn’t Float Down From Heaven Pt. 1
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Didn’t Float Down From Heaven Pt. 2
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Didn’t Float Down From Heaven Pt. 3
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Was Not Written in English Pt. 1
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Was Not Written in English Pt. 2
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Was Not Written in English Pt. 3
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Was Not Written in Stone Pt. 1
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Was Not Written in Stone Pt. 2
Video · Unit 1
The Bible Was Not Written in Stone Pt. 3
Video · Unit 1
The Bible is Not An Answer Key Pt. 1
Video · Unit 1
The Bible is Not an Answer Key Pt. 2
Video · Unit 1
The Bible is Not An Answer Key Pt. 3
Video · Unit 1
The Bible is Not An Answer Key Pt. 4
Video · Unit 1
02
Unit 2
Social Location & Reading Scripture
How culture, identity, and context shape interpretation
17 Lessons
My Relationship to Scripture
Video · Unit 2
My Posture Toward Scripture
Video · Unit 2
Struggle and Blessing
Video · Unit 2
Jesus and Scripture
Video · Unit 2
The Bible Reads Itself
Video · Unit 2
The Bible as Literature
Video · Unit 2
More Meaning than Meets the Eye
Video · Unit 2
More Meaning than Meets the Ear
Video · Unit 2
Why?
Video · Unit 2
What?
Video · Unit 2
How?
Video · Unit 2
Why Black Theology Matters
Video · Unit 2
What Does Black Theology Call Our Attention to?
Video · Unit 2
How Can Black Theology Shape our Interpretation
Video · Unit 2
Why Post from a Post Colonial Perspective?
Video · Unit 2
Post Colonialism — What Do We Look For?
Video · Unit 2
How Do We Arrive to a Post Colonial Interpretation?
Video · Unit 2
03
Unit 3
Biblical Genres & Their Interpretation
Law, prophecy, Gospel, parable, epistle — and how to read each
16 Lessons
Narrative
Video · Unit 3
Gospel
Video · Unit 3
Parable
Video · Unit 3
The Narrative and Function of Letters in Scripture
Video · Unit 3
Authorship Issues in Ancient Letters
Video · Unit 3
Interpretative Strategies for the Letter Genre
Video · Unit 3
Legal Code in the OT
Video · Unit 3
Legal Code in the NT
Video · Unit 3
Biblical Poetry — A Technique and a Theme
Video · Unit 3
Psalms
Video · Unit 3
Wisdom Literature
Video · Unit 3
What Prophets Say
Video · Unit 3
How Prophets Say It
Video · Unit 3
Prophecy and Fulfillment
Video · Unit 3
What Apocalypse Is and Is Not
Video · Unit 3
What Apocalyptic Literature Does and Does Not Do
Video · Unit 3
04
Unit 4
Practical Tools for Bible Study
Word studies, structural outlines, poetic analysis, and inter-biblical readings
15 Lessons
The Three Worlds of Biblical Interpretation
Video · Unit 4
The Three Worlds of Biblical Interpretation Pt. 2
Video · Unit 4
The Three Worlds of Biblical Interpretation Pt. 3
Video · Unit 4
The Three Worlds of Biblical Interpretation Pt. 4
Video · Unit 4
Word Studies Pt. 1
Video · Unit 4
Word Studies Pt. 2
Video · Unit 4
Structural Outlines
Video · Unit 4
Rhetorical Analysis Pt. 1
Video · Unit 4
Rhetorical Analysis Pt. 2
Video · Unit 4
Rhetorical Analysis Pt. 3
Video · Unit 4
Poetic Analysis Pt. 1
Video · Unit 4
Poetic Analysis Pt. 2
Video · Unit 4
Poetic Analysis Pt. 3
Video · Unit 4
Intertextual Analysis Pt. 1
Video · Unit 4
Intertextual Analysis Pt. 2
Video · Unit 4

Final Certificate Quiz

When you're ready, take the 15-question final assessment. A passing score of 70% earns your certificate of completion — you can retake it as many times as you need.

Final Assessment · Essentials for Biblical Interpretation

Certificate Quiz

15 questions. You need 70% or higher to earn your certificate of completion.

Question 1 of 15

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