Bible Courses

BIBL 110 Old Testament Interpretation (3)
A comprehensive study of the Old Testament in its cultural and historical context. Special emphasis is placed upon the history of the writings and their collection, important teachings and major concepts.  Offered each semester.

BIBL 120 New Testament Interpretation (3)
An introduction to the New Testament in light of its historical and cultural contexts. Attention is given to the content, message, literary features, significant persons and events and contemporary application of the New Testament. Emphasis is placed on development of skills for biblical study and interpretation.  Offered each semester.

BIBL 200 Biblical Literature (3)
An introduction to the Bible in light of its historical and cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed upon helping students develop skills which will facilitate a lifelong study and appreciation of the Bible. Attention is given to the following areas of study: content, message, significant people and events, literary features and contemporary application. Only students in the nursing degree completion program may register for this course. Prerequisite: completion of Trimesters I and II.

BIBL 201 Hermeneutics (3)
A study of the history of the interpretation of the Bible, basic principles of biblical interpretation, and reference works for the biblical student will be explored. Emphasis is placed on the practical use of hermeneutics for ministry. Offered each Fall.
 
BIBL 307 The Synoptic Gospels (3)
 An understanding of the Synoptic Gospels within their historical contexts and in light of several methods of interpretation.  The basic teachings of Jesus are examined within the broad outlines of his life and ministry.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 313 Romans (3)
An in-depth study of the book of Romans with a view to understanding the basic theology of Paul. Particular attention will be given to both exposition and the major themes of the letter. Prerequisites: BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 314 The Gospel and Epistles of John (3)
The Gospel and Epistles of John will be studied in detail.  The context presumed is the struggle of the Johannine churches in Ephesus in Asia Minor with their self-definition agianst Judaism and emerging gnosticism.  Current understandings of the Johannine School and Community provide the interpretive framework.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 315 The Prison Epistles of Paul (3)
The Prison Epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and II Timothy are studied together as the roducts of Paul's two Roman imprisonments.  Related issues especially pertinent to these epistles will also recieve emphasis including the nature of first century imprisonment, gnosticism, and Christology.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 317 The Corinthian Correspondence (3)
The Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians are studied in their Greco-Roman milieu.  Emphasis is placed on interpretation that acknowledges their historical, social, and cultural contexts while contextualizing that interpretation for current application.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 321 Pentateuch (3)
An analysis of the contents and basic spiritual concepts of each book, and their place in the development of Israelite institutions and theology. Study of the historical, geographical and archeological aspects is emphasized. Prerequisites: BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 323 The Prophets of the Old Testament (3)
A study of the prophets and their messages with attention given to messianic prophecy, the political, religious and social conditions of the times; and the relevance of their messages today. Prerequisites: BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 325 The Historical Books (3)
The Historical Books of the Old Testament are explored with special attention to historical reconstruction and theological themes used by the biblical writers to tell the history and story of Israel. Prerequisites: BIBL 110, 120. Offered Fall 2001 and alternate Fall semesters. 
 
BIBL 332 Major Prophets: (Name) (3)
This course shall be a study of one of the following:  Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel.  The purpose is to give the student the opportunity for in-depth investigation into the life, context, and message of one of the more lengthy and substantive prophets of the Old Testament.  Primary themes, depending on which prphet is tudied, will include the meaning of justice, righteousness, repentance, messianic expectation, and the kingdom of God.  The structure and literary movement of the book in question shall also be carefully analyzed.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
 BIBL 340 Lands of the Bible Study Tour (1-3)
A three- to five-week course of study in either Israel or Greece for students interested in the geography, history and archaeology of the Old and New Testaments. Malone College is a member institution of the Institute for Holy Land Studies under whose auspices this course can be taken. Offered on demand.
 
BIBL 367 Hebrews, James, I and II Peter, Jude
Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles of James, I and II Peter, and Jude are studied within the context of their associated early Christian communites.  The focus is upon what they say for the development of early Christian doctrine and emerging struggles with libertinism, wealth, eschatological skepticism, and apostasy.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 423 Poetical Books (3)
Explored are the nature and characteristics of Hebrew poetry with attention to the background, theology and teaching of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Prerequisites: BIBL 110, 120. Offered Spring 2002 and alternate Spring semesters.
 
BIBL 427 Theology of the Old Testament (3)
This course introduces students to the milieu of Old Testament thought and theology by analyzing texts which capture the development and broad range of thinking about Isreal's God.  Selections from each majore genre of the Old Testament (Law, Prophets, History, Wisdom, Poetry) shall be investigated and compared.  Also included is a survey of the history of scholarship in Old Testament studies with an emphasis on the contributions of key Old Testament scholars.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 432 The Gospel of Luke (3)
The Gospel of Luke is studied as one volume of the two-volume work of Luke-Acts written by Luke, co-worker of Paul the Apostle.  The major themes of Luke are the focus, with special emphasis upon how these themes are developed through the construciton of the gospel.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 435 The Acts of the Apostles (3)
The Book of Acts is studied for its use in reconstructing the hisory of the first century church and its theological contribution.  To accomplish this, all aspects of the world with which Acts interacts will be studied, including religious, political, social , cultural, and ideological.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
 
BIBL 442 The Book of Revelation (3)
The proposals for authorship, date, social situation, literary genres and purpose of Revelation will be carefully assessed. The content of Revelation will be discussed in a verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter fashion, with special focus on disputed matters of interpretation. Prerequisites: BIBL 110, 120. Offered Fall 2002 and alternate Fall semesters.
 
BIBL 450 Advanced Topics (1-3)
An opportunity for superior students to pursue a subject of special interest on their own initiative or in a seminar group. Open only to juniors or seniors who are majors in this area and who have completed or are taking regularly scheduled courses. Enrollment by permission of the Dean.
 
BIBL 462 The Social World of the New Testament (3)
This course examines the primary documents of the Jewish, Greek, and Roman cultures of the first century CE and secondary analysis of them with an eye toward understanding the political, religious, social, cultural, and ideological arenas from which the books of the New Testament emerged.  how these documents illumine specific texts throughout the New Testament and prevent anachronistic interpretation is the focus.  Prerequisites:  BIBL 110, 120.
1.800.521.1146