Essentials for Biblical Interpretation

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 its worth.

 
 
 

About the Track

The lessons in this track will explore crucial issues in biblical interpretation, including:

  • The history and formation of the biblical canon

  • Differences between Bible translations

  • How social location and context frame our reading of Scripture

  • How to engage different biblical genres, including law, prophecy, Gospel, parable, and epistle

  • Practical tools for doing word studies, structural outlines, poetic analysis, and inter-biblical readings

Meet the Instructors

Track Courses

This 4-course certificate program can be completed in 24 weeks. The schedule of the courses is as follows:

Course 1. How the Bible Actually Works    Sept 9 - Oct 14

Course 2. Reading the Bible in Our Place    Oct 28 - Dec 9

Course 3. Understanding Biblical Genres    Jan 6 - Feb 10

Course 4. Tools for Faithful Engagement    Feb 24 - Mar 31

While each course starts on a specific date, you will be able to work through a given course's learning modules at your own pace and schedule. 

 

Track FAQs

 

  • Anyone who wants to gain skills and perspectives that will enrich how they understand, interpret, and teach Scripture. Participants include laity, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, youth and children ministers, deacons, licensed lay preachers, and pastors.

  • This track consists of four 6-week courses.

  • The material in each course is separated into modules (a module is one week’s worth of learning activities). Each module consists of asynchronous learning activities, including short video lectures, readings, and reflection questions.

  • While you will have independent work to do during the week, you will also journey through the program with a small cohort of 6-15 people. You will be able to interact with them and a trained facilitator throughout the program.

  • Yes.
    All of the learning components are designed to be completed online through our easy-to-use digital platform, Cosassemble.

  • No.
    You will be invited to submit brief and informal reflection exercises to your track facilitator. These exercises are designed to help you process the materials and make connections to your own life and faith.

  • Yes.
    The Foundations program is open to all participants regardless of their previous educational experience.

  • No.
    There is only a short registration form that needs to be filled out in order to enroll in the program.

 
“I wanted to be able to better interpret the Bible on my own both for my own spiritual formation and to gain confidence in discussing the Bible. This program excelled at helping me do both of these things. I find myself consistently using things I’ve learned in this track in my church Bible study. It’s changed the way I read Scripture.”
— 2023 Cohort Graduate
 

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