THEO 400 Bibliology

This course examines the doctrine of scripture. Special attention will be given to revelation, canonicity, inspiration, inerrancy, and biblical authority.

As arguments that the Bible is a mythological, unreliable, or customizable handbook increase, Christian pastors and leaders must teach and assert what Scripture testifies about itself: the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God. This class offers a rigorous defense of the Bible and addresses various aspects of the study of bibliology. This class emphasize the inerrancy, inspiration, authority, and sufficiency of God’s Word while also studying the development of the canon.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. The student will complete 4 Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 400 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of the assigned Module: Week. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 200 words each by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the assigned Module: Week. The student is required to interact with all assigned materials, including textbooks and presentations, and document all sources used (including textbooks and presentations) in current Turabian format. For the initial thread, the student should include at least three (3) scriptural references and one (1) academic source. The academic source for the initial thread should pull from textbook or course presentation material from the assigned module: week. Each reply must incorporate at least one (1) academic citation and one (1) scripture reference into its content. Acceptable sources for the replies include academic biblical commentaries, academic journal articles, textbooks, and course presentations. (CLO: A, B). 

Inerrancy Paper Assignment

Debates on biblical inerrancy continue. The student will write a paper analyzing various views of inerrancy to determine how one’s view of biblical inerrancy affects one’s theology, both in knowledge and practice.

In this paper, the student will provide a concise definition of inerrancy, analyze 3 views of biblical inerrancy, and defend biblical inerrancy. The last section of this paper should discuss how one’s view of inerrancy shapes one’s theology and practical ministry.

The paper should be 5-7 pages, double-spaced, and adhere to Turabian guidelines. The student will provide at least 5 scriptural references and include 3 academic sources. (CLO: A, B, D)

Canonicity Project Assignments (2)

Canonicity Project: Outline Assignment

This project will provide the student an opportunity to develop an outline for his/her presentation. This project will cover the topic of canonicity, as well as its development, significance, and impact. This is the first part of a two-part project.

The student will write a bulleted outline of his/her presentation that includes the following:

• Definition of canonicity
• Bible verses to support his/her argument
• An overview of the development of the canon through history
• Its significance and importance in the church
• The impact canonicity has on personal Christian life

This bulleted outline should be 2-3 pages and single-spaced. The student will provide at least 5 scriptural references and include 3 academic sources. (CLO: A, B, C)

Canonicity Project: Presentation Assignment

The student will create a 6-12 slide presentation of biblical canonicity project to accompany his/her outline from part 1 of this project. The student’s presentation should include the following:

• A title slide
• At least one slide for each of the topics addressed in his/her Canonicity Project: Outline Assignment
• A reference slide of the sources cited or quoted in the presentation (this should be the last slide)

The student should make the presentation inviting, visually interesting (being sure to include pictures and illustrations), and easy to understand (as if the student is presenting to his/her small group or Sunday School class). The student may use any slideshow software that he/she sees fit to create your presentation that can fulfill these requirements (Microsoft PowerPoint recommended). The student should include at least 3 of his/her 5 scriptural references from his/her outline and at least 2 of the 3 academic sources from his/her outline. (CLO: A, B, C)

Final Reflection Assignment

In this final assignment, the student will reflect on the centrality of Scripture. Reflecting on what he/she has learned in this course, the student will write a short reflection on the Bible’s trustworthiness and how it directly affects our Christian life and thinking today.

For this assignment, the student will imagine that someone comes up to him/her after church or small group and asks if the Bible is trustworthy. The student will express how would he/she respond to such as question. The student will write a 400-word reflection on this topic. In his/her response, the student should provide at least 3 reasons for his/her argument, 3 scriptural references, and 1 citation from an academic source. The student should be sure to format his/her paper according to current Turabian formatting. (CLO: A, B)