1. Exegesis – The reading and analysis of the selected text in which the preacher attempts to put the listeners within hearing distance of how the original audience heard the text. This part of the sermon might include such things as the author, date, type of writing, location and intended audience, etc.
2. Interpretation – Here, the preacher sets forth what the text most likely meant to its intended audience – how such persons “understood” the text. It is critically to note that most sacred texts are written to an existing people to address their cares and concerns and that subsequent generations at best are but secondary hearers.
3. Explication or Application – Having accomplished the above, the preacher now focuses attention on what the text means to the contemporary audience – what the text requires “me” to do or not do.

1. Readings. The required texts are: Online Bookstore

1. Jasper, David, A Short Introduction to Hermeneutics, soft-cover, Westminister John Knox Press, 2004. ISBN: 0664227511
2. Shermer, Michael, How We Believe: The Search for God in an Age of Science, hard-cover, W.H. Freeman and Company, 2000. ISBN: 071673561X

2. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two Internet Conferences with the professor by sending an e-mail to the professor with a proposed date and time and the reason for the conference. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the message board.
3. Exams. There will be one exam: a mid-term examination which must be taken by the end of the third week. The exam will cover the assigned readings.
4. Papers. There will be a short paper of no less than two single-spaced pages or 1,250 words, and no more than five single-spaced pages, due at the end of each week=s readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. There will be a major paper of between seven and 15 pages due at the end of the course. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. The papers should conform to the latest edition of Kate L. Turabian's, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:

Weekly Papers Mid-Term Exam Major Paper

30% 30% 40%

6. Grading Scale.

90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 59% or below

A - Excellent B - Above Average C - Average D - Below Average F - Failing Grade

A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.

1. Reread the introduction to the course above. Note that determining who the author is and the author’s intent is part of traditional hermeneutics. Is Gadamer arguing for a change in this traditional approach to hermeneutics? How does Peavy answer this question?
2. Read Judges 11:29-40. What is the author’s intent in telling this story? Does it matter who the author is? Can the story be understood by people today even if we cannot ascertain who the author is or what the author’s intent was?
3. Peavy speaks of a “distance” that has troubled him. Do you ever sense that distance? When you read a biblical passage, how do you bridge the distance between you and the original audience to whom the text was intended?

1. What is a myth? How would you classify the story of creation?
2. It is said that the Old Testament is primarily history, albeit theological history. In your opinion, what is theological history and why is the history of the OT so classified as opposed to just calling it history?
3. Read Chapter 11: 1-9 of Genesis. How would you classify this story? Can it be understood as a myth? If so, then what is the purpose of the story? What is it that the myth of the Tower of Babel seeks to explain?