Seminarium

The Elements of Great Teaching

SemLoci

Loci is Latin for “localities” or “centers of focus.” It is shorthand for disciplines like comparative religions, theology, hermeneutics and history. We don’t all have the same AOC, and so SemLoci posts will touch on what is unique teaching your discipline.

The Bible and Human Transformation—Part I: The Nature of the Bible

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No matter how disparate biblical writings may be, the bottom line is that they are life stories involving some sort of human transformation, whether it is personal or communal change: a change in terms of human behavior, a change in terms of human attitude or a change in terms of society…

Repository of Truth: Full and Unrestricted Access?

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Admissions policies for entering into a repository of truth—whether it be museums, archives, or libraries—are more complex than simple technical rules involving security and preservation. Although the stewardship of material culture is a genuine concern, all rules of admission contain social and political dimensions….

Contextualization as an Ethical Practice: Part 2—Unpacking “Machine-Made” Biblical Knowledge

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The cultural iconic status of the Bible in Western society can easily be harnessed for oppressive purposes. This demands an ethical obligation to biblical interpretation that scientific historical methods alone are unable to fulfill….

Through contextualization, we are drawn to uncover the social beliefs underwriting the default system present within the field of biblical studies….

A Case For Required Biblical Languages in Seminary

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It is true that seminary students vary in intellectual ability and interests. It is also true that theological educators must reevaluate and innovate their offerings and methods for a new era. Nevertheless, I believe that every seminarian should study both Hebrew and Greek.

But I think we can do it better.

Contextualization as an Ethical Practice: Part 1—The Socialized Body of the Biblical Scholar

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For seminary students, lingering too long in the ancient historical distance can lead them to trivialize the text’s contemporary social relevance. Hence, how do we encourage and sustain discussions about pressing social issues alongside lessons on scientific biblical interpretive methods?…