Course overview
The aim of this course is to examine the First Testament and the Second Testament as literature and as sacred texts, while critically analysing methods of Scriptural interpretation and the Catholic educational implications of the Scripture studied. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of key literary genres, themes and structures of the First and Second Testaments. The Pentateuch's central place in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures is explored (especially the Books of Genesis and Exodus), including the contrast between literalist and contextualist approaches to Scriptural interpretation and the role of the Historical-metaphorical approach. The study of the Second Testament includes a survey of First-Century CE Judaism and the Jewish context of Jesus, prior to analysis of the historical development of the Gospels. The close links between the First Testament and the Gospels are examined, especially through the study of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew's portrait of Jesus is analysed and compared with Mark's portrait. The course also explores the relevance of these early Christian texts and communities for contemporary Catholic school settings including Religious Education programs.
Course learning outcomes
- Identify and contrast the various genres of Biblical literature
- Connect the historical development, literary forms and methods of interpretation of the biblical texts
- Analyse the major theological themes of the Pentateuch, especially as expressed in the Books of Genesis and Exodus.
- Evaluate the importance of the Jewish context of the life of Jesus and of the early Christian communities
- Explain the process through which the Gospels came to be written
- Analyse the distinctive theologies of either the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of Matthew
- Apply contemporary Catholic biblical scholarship to the interpretation and analysis of Scripture, including within Catholic school settings