Prepping Class with Newspaper in HandPosted on August 25, 2014 by Julia FoggI have observed that most of my traditional undergraduates do not read the day’s news reports, listen to weekly political analysts, or even follow current issues on social media. Unfortunately, this lacunae can further the perceived disconnect between the classroom/campus and “real life”….….so how can a newspaper help? What happens when we put contemporary issues side by side with biblical texts in the classroom? Can we prep class like Jeremiah, one eye on God’s word and the other on the political jungle around us?
The Bible and Pop Culture: An Academic Journey?Posted on July 18, 2014 by Chris ParisWhenever I learn of classes that feature pop culture, my initial enthusiasm is always tempered by wondering how any of these courses can truly be academic. I had the opportunity to wrestle with this issue when Vanderbilt Divinity School allowed me to teach The Bible in American Culture….
Contextualization as an Ethical Practice: Part 2—Unpacking “Machine-Made” Biblical KnowledgePosted on June 2, 2014 by Gregory CuéllarThe 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….
Metacognition: Teach Me How to Learn!Posted on March 31, 2014 by Jane S. WebsterWhen we shift our task as educators from those who deliver content to those who help students learn how to learn, we see that they still learn the content that we cherish, but they have also developed skills that will take them far into the future with success. And as we become more conscious of students’ learning, we will become more attuned to their needs, enabling us to intervene in just the right place at just the right time…
Contextualization as an Ethical Practice: Part 1—The Socialized Body of the Biblical ScholarPosted on February 28, 2014 by Gregory CuéllarFor 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?…