Category Archives: Biblical Studies

What is it?

A three-week course which introduces the student to the basic principles and practices in Biblical exegesis. Participants will be trained in three core components: observation, correlation and interpretation. A high priority is placed on practicing the concepts learned.

Who should come?

Bible translators, preachers and teachers of the Bible. The course will be taught in English, and at least one team member should have strong English skills.

Prerequisites:

Required: Good English proficiency

Preferred: Minimum of grade 8

Next session:

5-25 February, 2020

2-22 September, 2020

What is it?

A survey of the books of the Old Testament giving a summary of content and understanding each book in its historical, geographical and literary context. In addition to studying each book, background topics are taught including: Ancient Near East Geography, History and Religions; Geography of Israel; Religion in Israel; Introduction to the Canon; Introduction to Genre, Narrative, Poetry and Literary Structures; and Theology of the Old Testament.

A variety of methods are employed from a ‘lecture’ style approach, to group work and practical activities:

Here students are exploring the ‘family tree’ of the Kings of Israel and Judah during a lesson on the books of Kings.

Who should come?

The course is aimed at Papua New Guineans engaged in Old Testament translation or developing as translation consultants, but is open to anyone who would like to find out more about the Old Testament and its background.

Prerequisites:

Required: TTC-1; TTC-2; good English Proficiency

Preferred: Minimum of grade 10 or Bible School Training

Next session:

To be announced

What is it?

A six-week course designed to introduce participants to Biblical Hebrew by using a variety of oral, aural and visual language learning strategies. Watch the video below to get an impression of what the course looks like.

After successful completion of the course, students:

• will have acquired a basic vocabulary of about 300 Hebrew words;
• will have acquired a reasonable fluency in reading Hebrew texts;
• will understand some basic concepts of Hebrew grammar;
• will have created a Hebrew-Tok Ples Dictionary;
• will have translated a full chapter of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Tok Ples

Who should come?

The course is aimed at Papua New Guineans involved in Old Testament translation or training to be consultants, but is open to anyone who wants to begin to learn the original language of the Old Testament.

Prerequisites:

Required: Either: TTC-1; TTC-2; Discover Your Language; in certain cases the Academic Dean may allow exceptions.

Preferred: Minimum of grade 10 or equivalent training.

Next session:

To be announced

What is it?

This 4-week course is a follow up on Hebrew-1, and focuses on the Hebrew verb system. We will be going through the book of Ruth in Hebrew. Participants will read through the whole book of Ruth in Hebrew, and work on a Hebrew / Tok Ples Dictionary. They will also be taught how to use their Hebrew skills in Bible Translation.

Who should come?

People who have completed Introduction to Biblical Hebrew and who want to further their knowledge and understanding of Biblical Hebrew.

Prerequisite:

Successful completion of Introduction to Biblical Hebrew.

Next session:

4-31 March, 2020

What is it?

This course covers:

• the historical and socio-cultural background to Jesus’ life and ministry (focusing on the intertestamental times and Jewish life during the 2nd Temple period)
•  a book by book survey of the New Testament, looking at the purpose, main ideas, date and authorship issues for each one.
• an introduction to modern approaches to the New Testament
• learning a visual ‘Walk through the New Testament’

Who should come?

The course is aimed at Papua New Guineans engaged in New Testament translation or developing as consultants, but is open to any who would like a better understanding of the New Testament and its background. The course will be in English so a reasonable standard of English is needed.

Next session:

To be announced

What is it?

The course combines modern language-learning techniques with traditional approaches to teaching Greek, offering an accessible introduction within a Melanesian context. One of the features of the course is an emphasis on methods of learning a language, including listening, speaking, reading, writing and physical response to spoken instructions in Greek – helping the course participants to learn how to learn. By the end of the course the participants will be able to read with understanding simple narrative passages from the New Testament.

Who should come?

Any Papua New Guinean involved in New Testament translation and/or translation consulting. Also, any church leader who would like to begin to learn the original language of the New Testament.

Next session:

To be announced

What is it?

This four week course gives further training in New Testament Greek. Participants will review what they learnt in the Introduction to Greek course and move further in their understanding of Greek grammar and their ability to read Greek narrative.

Who should come?

People who have successfully completed Introduction to New Testament Greek and who want to further their knowledge and understanding.

Prerequisite:

Completion of Introduction to New Testament Greek

Next session:

To be announced