Course Title: Interpretive Foundations: Hermeneutics and Bible Study Methods
Course Code: FND 104 T-4
Prerequisites: None
Professor in Lectures: Dr. Tim Sigler
Credits: Tier 4 courses are non-credit, they only contain the course lecture video presentations. No curricula are included in the Tier 4 courses.
Length: 16 modules of curriculum and 23 video lecture presentations (11 hours)
Course Format: 100% Online
Completion Schedule: Students will have access to the course video lectures for one year from the date of purchase.

What is "Hermeneutics"?

"Hermeneutics is the science and art of biblical interpretation. It is a science because it is guided by rules within a system; and it is an art because the application of the rules is by skill, and not by mechanical imitation" (Ramm 1970, 1).

Course Description

In the first part of the course, students will learn the importance of consistently using sound principles to interpret the Bible. Students will gain an overview of the history of interpretation from the biblical period to contemporary times. This study will include aspects of Rabbinic Jewish influences on interpretation.

In the second part of the course, students will learn the value, principles, and procedures of the literal-historical-grammatical approach to Bible interpretation. Students will gain important skills for doing historical and literary contextual studies of passages. There will be instruction and practice exercises for doing such things as biblical word studies.

The third part of the course covers topics in the field of Special Hermeneutics, such as interpreting figures of speech and approaches to the variety of literary genres in the Bible (e.g., narrative, poetry, prophecy, etc.). There are also extended studies on topics specific to Messianic Jewish matters, such as the interpretation and application of the Law and the transitional nature of the Book of Acts.

In the final modules of the course, students will learn about the importance of "reading the Bible in the right direction," as well as four vital components in successfully applying the Word of God.

Special Features of the curricula for this course include:

Opening Devotions – Each module begins with an exposition from "Israel's Hymnal," worship, and prayer.
Learning Objectives – Students can preview all the topics to be covered for each segment.
Required and Optional Reading – Students will be reading from three textbooks and as well as a number of articles and excerpts from scholarly sources.
Reading Report – To keep students accountable, there is a weekly checklist for reading.
Video Lecture Presentations – These are the centerpiece of our courses. These are professionally produced, high-quality, closed-studio video recordings with on-screen text, images, charts, and graphics. Students can view lectures as many times as needed.
Assignments and Exercises – Students will engage in critical thinking exercises and practice the skills being taught in the course.
Study Questions – To help prepare students for the exams, we provide questions from the lectures. This is optional, not required.
Open-Book Exams – Our exams are challenging, but there is no stress involved because all exams are open-book and open-note. Students can retake exams and the highest grade is the one retained.
Exegetical Paper – For this course, students will select a passage of Scripture from the Book of Ephesians for a deep study. It is an opportunity to apply many of the skills learned in this course.

Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1991
J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. 4th ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2020.
Robert Thomas, Evangelical Hermeneutics: The New Versus the Old. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publication, 2002.

Module #1 – What is Hermeneutics?

Module #2 – The Role of Presuppositions

Module #3 – History of Interpretation: Greek, Jewish, and Christian Allegorism

Module #4 – History of Interpretation: Jewish and Christian Literal Approaches

Module #5 – History of Interpretation: Modern and Postmodern Interpretation

Module #6 – Validity in Interpretation

Module #7 – Basic Principles and Context

7.a. Dr. Cooper’s Rules of Bible Interpretation

7.b. Add’l Principles of Interpretation

7.c. Historical Context

7.d. Literary Context

Module #8. – Word Study, Grammar, and Syntax

8.a.– Word Study Fallacies

8.b. – Key Linguistic Terms

8.c. – Word Studies: General Principles

8. d. – Grammar and Syntax

Module #9 – Figures of Speech

Module #10 – Interpreting the Narrative Genre

Module #11 – Interpreting Legal Material

Module #12 – Interpreting the Poetic Genre

Module #13 – Interpreting Prophetic Genre

Module #14 – N.T. Letters, Acts, and the Transitional Nature of the Book of Acts: A Guide for Interpretation and Application

Module #15 – Reading the Bible in the Right Direction

Module #16 – Application

Enroll in Tier 4 - Interpretive Foundations: Hermeneutics (FND 104 T-4)