“I’m Using My Bible for a Roadmap” Posted on June 8, 2015 by Charles MillerThe conventional way that introductory biblical studies courses are taught is that one proceeds through, say, the New Testament either canonically (from Matthew to Revelation), or historically (1 Thessalonians to 2 Peter), or some combination of the two. The focus is on information acquisition with the assumption that the Bible’s content is somehow meaningful, especially when placed within its various historical contexts. In other words, we who teach the Bible, along with our students who wish to learn about it, approach the Bible as insiders, taking for granted its inherent value.
James 1:27 and the Training of the Modern Nurse Posted on May 14, 2015 by Janelle PetersIn the increasingly pluralistic campus classroom, one might expect that the primary texts of the world’s religions not to resonate with modern students, especially the career-minded ones. However, I am convinced that these texts—James 1:27 being a case-in-point—continue to have tremendous, and deeply interdisciplinary, value.
Know Your Students, Know Your Story Posted on April 25, 2015 by Rob O'LynnThe purpose for teaching biblical studies has changed. It is no longer simply about content transference; it is about theological acumen and cultural engagement. We know the stories, yet our students are less and less familiar with them. Thus it is our calling, our responsibility, to not only teach the stories but challenge our students to also retell their encounter with God’s story in technologically-creative ways.
The Bible and Human Transformation—Part III: Miracles and Human Transformation Posted on November 10, 2014 by Yung Suk KimOften students of the New Testament do not find transformative lessons in miracle stories in the Bible. Usually, miracles are rendered God’s supernatural power that makes impossible things happen. But miracle stories also involve human issues or human responses. Therefore they can be read as a story of human transformation…
The Bible and Human Transformation—Part II: Jesus’ Parables and Human Transformation Posted on October 31, 2014 by Yung Suk KimBecause of the parable’s nature as such, it has double-entendre. On the one hand, students of the New Testament may find parables to be easy to understand because they are taken from everyday life. On the other hand, however, they are very difficult to understand because parables involve figurative language which needs careful attention and skill from the reader. It is here, at the points of overcoming difficulties in understanding the text, where we find their power unto human transformation….