An Introduction
to the Course
The Nature of the Course
Welcome to this Bible
Exposition Course. In order to follow the Course we will have
to recognise that, although the 66 books of the Bible all form
one wonderful unity, each book has been written at a particular
time, in certain circumstances, and by different authors. Books
such as I and II Kings and I and II Chronicles have been put
together from certain sources. Most of us who take up the Bible
see the name of a book and its author and for us the matter is
simple. Older versions used to have Paul as the author of the
Epistle to the Hebrews, but the old manuscripts do not have his
name there. So it has been debated whether Paul wrote the Epistle
to the Ephesians, and it does not hurt us to see the various
arguments about the authorship. Likewise various commentators
have differing ideas of what the writer may have meant in a particular
text.
In our Introduction
(Lesson One) we will take up a few of these matters. You are
expected to read the material under the headings 'The Name of
the Epistle', 'Is it a Pauline Letter?' but you do not have to
write anything on this material. We start our first Lesson with 'The
Primary Drive of the Epistle', and need to deal with this, and 'The
Teaching Elements of the Epistle'.
We have also included
a Bibliography-a list of books
you could read if you wished. Do not immediately try to obtain
all these books, as they are expensive and not essential for
the Course. We have printed the most advisable to use in bold
print, but, again, do not feel you should read all these books.
Many of these can be accessed at our Resource Centre, and some
of them can be borrowed from libraries, especially libraries
of Theological or Bible Colleges. It is best to first read Introductions,
and Bible and Theological Dictionaries. It is good to purchase
a good Bible Dictionary and a good one volume Bible Commentary.
Do not try to get through
your work as quickly as possible. Try to soak yourself in the
material of the Lessons, read what other background material
is available and then begin to write your assignment or answers.
In this way you will enjoy doing the Course and at the same time
you will absorb the magnificent material of this wonderful Epistle.
There are sixteen lessons
in all. When you complete your first lesson and answer the questions
set for that lesson, you should immediately send your answers
to us.
Study
Method I requires essay
style responses. Essays to the order of 150-250 words per question.
According to the subject matter, some questions may require
up to 500 words or more. We encourage you to follow the instructions
on the attached sheet, 'Hints
For Writing Essays'.
Study
Method II requires
direct answers to the set of questions. This method does not
require written essays and long paragraphs. As a learning process,
the questions are designed to lead you through the essentials
of the subject matter of each lesson. The answers are to be
in the form of statements, sentences and short paragraphs.
Sometimes only one word will be required. |
