Bible (BI)
BI 105 Understanding the Old Testament - 3 Hours
An introduction to the Old Testament, with an emphasis on its content, themes, and message. Students learn to read these Scriptures in their literary, social, and historical context so as to better understand their contemporary relevance and apply them faithfully.
BI 115 Understanding the New Testament - 3 Hours
An introduction to the New Testament with emphasis on its content, themes, and message. Students learn to read these Scriptures in their literary, social, and historical context so as to better understand their contemporary relevance and apply them faithfully.
BI 211 Ethics and the Bible - 3 Hours
This course examines the people, places, and stories of the Bible as a revealed resource for being and becoming Christian in the 21st century. The goal is to establish an ethical framework consonant with the biblical witness in the context of increasingly antithetical systems in contemporary culture and to learn to apply this ethical framework to issues in our personal lives and in our society in order to become more human and humane. Prerequisite: BI 105 or BI 115.
BI 290 Interpreting and Teaching the Bible - 3 Hours
This course provides exposure to select theories and further develops skills for interpreting the Bible. Students learn how to transition from interpretation to teaching a variety of audiences with pastoral and contextual sensitivity. Specific attention will be given to interpreting and teaching texts of different genres from both the Old Testament and New Testament. Prerequisite: BI 105 or BI 115.
BI 301 Old Testament Pentateuch and Former Prophets - 3 Hours
A study of the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy) and Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) in the Old Testament. This course briefly surveys all books in the corpus, but interpretation focuses on a particular book. Students strengthen interpretive skills by examining key structural, contextual, thematic, critical, and theological issues in the book. Prerequisite: BI 105. Delivery mode: online.
BI 302 Pentateuch - 3 Hours
A study of the content, theology, and criticism of the Pentateuch. Emphasis will be on major themes like creation, fall, salvation, election, covenant, ethics and worship, and law. A particular book of the Pentateuch will be exegeted in detail and developed from theological and literary perspectives and its literary, social, and historical context. Prerequisites: BI 101, BI 210. Delivery mode: Wisconsin Prison Initiative.
BI 303 Old Testament Latter Prophets - 3 Hours
A study of the Latter Prophets (Isaiah through Ezekiel, the Twelve, and Daniel) in the Old Testament. This course briefly surveys all books in this corpus, but interpretation focuses on a particular book. Students strengthen interpretive skills by examining key structural, contextual, thematic, critical, and theological issues in the book. Prerequisite: BI 105. Delivery mode: Wisconsin Prison Initiative, online.
BI 307 Old Testament Writings - 3 Hours
A study of the poetic books (Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations) and post-exile narratives (Ezra/Nehemiah, Esther, Chronicles) in the Old Testament. This course briefly surveys all books in the corpus, but interpretation focuses on a particular book. Students strengthen interpretive skills by examining key structural, contextual, thematic, critical, and theological issues in the book. Prerequisite: BI 105. Delivery mode: online.
BI 312 Life of Christ - 3 Hours
A study of the life of Jesus Christ, with emphasis on crisis events. Attention is given to Jesus in a particular Gospel, to the developments in Jesus' ministry, and to the topics of messiahship, kingdom of God, discipleship, and controversy. Prerequisites: BI 111, BI 210. Delivery mode: Wisconsin Prison Initiative.
BI 331 New Testament Synoptic Gospels and Acts - 3 Hours
A study of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and Acts in the New Testament. This course briefly surveys all books in the corpus, but interpretation focuses on a particular book. Students strengthen interpretive skills by examining key structural, contextual, thematic, critical, and theological issues in the book. Prerequisite: BI 115.
BI 333 New Testament Pauline Epistles - 3 Hours
A study of the Pauline epistles (Romans through Philemon) in the New Testament. This course briefly surveys all books in this corpus, but interpretation focuses on a particular book. Students strengthen interpretive skills by examining key structural, contextual, thematic, critical, and theological issues in the book. Prerequisite: BI 115.
BI 337 New Testament General Epistles - 2 Hours
A study of the general epistles (Hebrews through 2 Peter, Jude) in the New Testament. This course briefly surveys all books in this corpus, but interpretation focuses on a particular book. Students strengthen interpretive skills by examining key structural, contextual, thematic, critical, and theological issues in the book. Prerequisite: BI 115.
BI 339 New Testament Johannine Literature - 2 Hours
A study of the Johannine literature (Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation) in the New Testament. This course briefly surveys all books in the corpus, but interpretation focuses on a particular book. Students strengthen interpretive skills by examining key structural, contextual, thematic, critical, and theological issues in the book. Prerequisite: BI 115.
BI 350 Topics in the Bible - 1-3 Hours
A study of an individual book or topic in Old Testament or New Testament. May be repeated for different books or topics. Prerequisites: BI 105 or BI 115, and BI 210.
BI 450 Independent Study - 1-4 Hours
Advanced study in special topics for students who have demonstrated ability in biblical studies. The preparation of a research paper is normally required. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.