Biblical Literature FAQ

Do I have to use the NRSV version?

Yes.

Otherwise, we would be endlessly chasing the questions about why her Bible translates the verse
this way; his Bible translates it that way. Those might be good and interesting questions, but we
have so little time in the class I would rather not be distracted with them. Instead, I want to focus
on what the text means.

Also, when you see quizzes, everyone will see Bible texts in the same form we have all seen in
class. Thus there will be less confusion.

No translation is perfect, but the NRSV is widely used in many churches and colleges. Further,
some like it for being a more "formal-equivalent" type translation. (You will learn what formal-
equivalent means.)

What if I am not as conservative/liberal as the professor? What if I don’t come from the
Wesleyan denomination?
If this were a class on Shakespeare, your job would be to read, absorb, analyze, and then talk
about the viewpoint of Shakespeare for a semester, whether or not you are a sixteenth-century
Anglo-Saxon male. If this were a class on modern China, you would have to study Mao-Tse-
Dong's Little Red Book, Chinese Communism, the structure of the Chinese Politburo and its
mysterious functions, Mao's Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, etc., and you would
have to be able to explain all these things and the rationale for them, whether or not you were a
communist.

This is a class on the Bible and its literature. It studies the literature of scripture, its genres, its
message, its theology, the history of the people of Israel and of the early church as depicted in its
pages. So naturally, students must be able to describe these things carefully, thoughtfully, as
accurately as possible. That is what your grade is based on. Whether or not you choose to
believe it, is ultimately up to you. I cannot force that, nor grade you on that. But whether or not
you are a person of faith I expect you to treat these texts respectfully, to listen to them, to try to
understand them on their own terms. That is what an educated person should do.

What if I have never read the Bible before?

Dr. Paige surveyed several Bib Lit 101 classes. Students frequently have the impression that
everyone is a Bible expert except themselves. The truth is that the surveys show on average
between 30% to 50% of students say they have read the entire New Testament before coming to
class, and even fewer (an average of only about 17%) say they have read the Old Testament.

If you think about it, why would you need this class if you already were proficient in the Bible?
So don't worry. The important thing is to simply try not to let anxiety overwhelm you. Read,
observe, think about what you read. Keep up with the reading! This is very important! Don't
answer questions based on what you think I want to hear, or what the culture tells you to say.
Treat this like a science project, where you observe and report.
What if I am confused or frustrated?
Contact me! I am here to help you and will set aside whatever time your situation requires.
Cell/text: 585-590-2948 email: karen.tucker@houghton.edu

I prefer the cell phone, as I usually have it on me. That way we can begin working together
quickly.

I check emails at least once per day.

Why is there so much work?

Bib Lit is a four credit course. That means, during a semester, approximately 3.75-4 hours for
each of 15 weeks for class time and 8 hours weekly for homework (two hours for each hour of
class). Together that is 176-180 hours (at 12 hours per week).

The same amount of work must be required for an online course. (Otherwise it wouldn’t count
as a college class.) Since there are 8 weeks in this summer course, 22-22.5 hours weekly is
required. Houghton considers two online summer courses to be equivalent to a full-time job.

Basically, the time required in each summer course is doubled as the length of the course is
halved. However, one doesn’t take four classes at once during the summer.

How important is each part of the class?

Bible reading—Without reading the Bible, we do not know what it actually says.

Textbook reading and lectures/videos—Presentation of the background to the biblical stories and
truths. For example: Why are there so many OT laws? Are they all required for Christians
today? Why did the story of the Good Samaritan include a Samaritan? What does Jesus think
about poverty and the welfare of the poor? What difference does the geography of Israel make
to the first hearers/readers understanding of God? What significance does the bet ab have on
understanding God’s plan?

Quizzes—Opportunity to show an understanding of the facts within the reading and lectures.

Papers—Opportunity to show an application of the information learned in class.

Participation (Course Discussions and Group Projects)—The “in class” part of this course. This
is where we wrestle with the material and learn other points of view.

Journal—To keep track of ideas encountered when reading the Bible. Many people choose to
keep their journals as a remembrance of how God spoke to them at different stages throughout
their lives.
Is Bible capitalized?
When referring to the Christian Bible, Bible is capitalized. It is a proper noun, referring to one
specific thing. Scripture is also capitalized when referring to the Bible.

If using the word bible to refer to a book considered authoritative in its field (the bible of French
cooking), bible is not capitalized. There are many authoritative books.

Also, please note that biblical and scriptural are not capitalized even when referring to the
Christian Bible. The words are adjectives.

Is Pastor capitalized?
Capitalize a person’s title (including Pastor) when using the title with a person’s name (Pastor
Karen, Pastor Mark). Also, capitalize the word Pastor when using it as direct address (Pastor, do
you need help? Hello, Pastor.)

Do not capitalize pastor when not referring to a particular pastor. (Maybe I will become a pastor.
The pastors met for a meeting.)