MTHF20

Ordinary Hermeneutics: Empirical Theology and the Bible

Strand: Theology & Ministry

Module Director: Andrew Village

Offered: Term 2 Spring 2012-13 at York campus

Timetable: Tuesday 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Prerequisites: None

Module Description

This module contributes to postgraduate provision in Theology & Religious Studies (Theology and Ministry). It allows students to explore the way in which the Bible is read by lay people, using tools from the emerging discipline of ‘empirical theology’. Students will explore ways in which empirical studies have contributed to the growing interest in ‘real readers’ within the discourse of Biblical Studies. There will be sessions looking generally at reader-centred biblical studies and empirical theology, as well as sessions that focus more specifically at bible reading by clergy and lay people in churches. Evidence will include both qualitative and quantitative data, but the emphasis will be on the latter, with sessions on the use of questionnaires in church contexts. Students will be encouraged to examine and critique data, and use it to reflect on theological understandings of the role of the Bible in the Christian faith.

Suggested reading beforehand

For those who have little experience in biblical studies, the following are useful introductions:

Holgate, D. A., & Starr, R. (2006). SCM studyguide to Biblical hermeneutics. London: SCM.

Tate, W. R. (2008). Biblical interpretation (3rd ed.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.

More advanced reading that might be useful:

Bielo, J. S. (2009). Words upon the word: An ethnography of evangelical group bible study. New York, New York University Press.

Francis, L. J., & Village, A. (2008). Preaching with all our Souls. London, Continuum. Ven, J. A. v. d. (1998). Ven. J.A.v.d (1998). Practical theology : an empirical approach. Leuven, Belgium, Peeters.

West, G. O. (ed.). (2007). Reading other-wise: Socially engaged biblical scholars reading with their local communities. Atlanta, GA, Society of Biblical Literature.

Set Texts

A key text for this module is:

Village, A. (2007). The Bible and lay people: An empirical approach to ordinary hermeneutics. Aldershot & Burlington VT, Ashgate. (available hardcopy & as an e-book through the library)