The Bible is used in a range of ways in Christian faith communities, for example, for doctrinal content, moral teaching and devotional guidance. It is also widely used in the various modules of this programme. Given such widespread use, it is important for anyone studying and practising applied theology to develop their skills of interpreting and applying the Bible. Drawing on the wealth of scholarly resources on handling the Bible, this module will introduce students to the knowledge, attitudes and skills required for interpretation and will also enable them to reflect on their own understanding and experiences of the Bible.

The module aims to enable students to:

• engage with issues of literary genre and its importance for engaging with the Bible;

• explore the importance of context (literary, historical, contemporary) for reading and engaging with the Bible;

• use Bible commentaries and other resources to enhance their interpretation practice;

• explore the interface between academic study of the Bible and the devotional reading of the Bible;

• explore the skills required to relate the Bible to contemporary life;

• begin to explore their attitudes to and assumptions about the Bible.