CORE 150-03, 06

Biblical Foundations
Dordt College, Fall Semester 2012
Professor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:

Dr. Jay J. Shim

FOC 1114
6364
jshim@dordt.edu

Office Hours:

M/W/F 10:00-noon
Tu/Th 9:00-noon

Section 06 meets at CL 1148, MWF 12:00-12:50 pm.

Section 03 meets at CL 1148, MWF 1:00-1:50 pm.
Course Description
A survey of biblical revelation in its progressive unfolding of key ideas and institutions
against their cultural-historical background and within their covenant setting. Emphasis is
placed on the normativity of Scripture, which reaches its fullness and fulfillment in Christ,
for all academic work. (Dordt College Catalog description)
To develop insights into the Scriptures. This includes developing knowledge of its content, its
redemptive-historical story, and its socio-historical context, through a Reformed hermeneutic and
application of sound exegetical methods and skills (from Tasks of Theology Department).
Student Learning Goals
1. Gaining factual knowledge: To enable the student to clearly understand the unified, progressive
movement of the Bible. The student will be able to tell the story of God in terms of major
elements of its plot movement of creation, Fall, Covenant promise, Kingdom coming, Christian
mission, and renewed creation.
2. Learning fundamental principles: To help the student critically understand the academic and
cultural relevance of central biblical themes such as nature of Scripture, image of God, the
Kingdom of God, covenant, etc.
3. Nurturing faith: To help the student understand herself/himself as part of the story of Gods
redemptive activities revealed in Scripture and personally engage the teachings of Scripture.
Required Textbooks
1. Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: A Guide to
Understanding the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993).
2. Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, The Drama of Scripture (Grand Rapids:
Baker Books, 2004).
3. Anthony A. Hoekema, The Christian and the Millennium (Grand Rapids: CRC Publications).
Book Review: Choose one from the following
1. N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope (New York: Harper Collins, 2008).
2. C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (San Francisco: Harper, 1980).
3. Richard Mouw, Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004).
Methods of Instruction
Lecture, group discussions, media, reading, and writing assignments

Guide for Searching Bible Commentaries

You can view the guide for this course at http://dordt.libguides.com/core150. The guide provides starting
point for library research for the commentary assignments.
Discussion Group and Seat Assignment
We will form eight groups of five or six students based on the result of a team learning distribution
survey. Each student will have his/her own seat throughout the semester and will be recognized by the
seat for their attendance.
Course Requirements and Grading
Students will be graded by the quality of tests, written assignments (journals, review essay on one of
the three suggested books, and term paper), and class attendance and participation. Students are
required to bring to the class their own Bible and textbooks assigned for the day.
1. Attendance (5%)
Class attendance is essential for successful learning. Consult below the theology
departments Learning Covenant. Instructor reserves the right to adjust the final semester grade up
or down, depending on students class attendance, preparation, and participation.
2. Review Essay (15%)
Students are required to read one of the three suggested books as follows: the whole book of C. S.
Lewis and Richard Mouw or chapters 1-2, 6-15 (225 pages total) of N. T. Wrights Surprised by
Hope, and write a 3-4 page, single-spaced, reflection paper on it. The primary purpose of this review
essay is for the students to critically understand the book and insightfully reflect it in his/her own life
situations.
N. T. Wrights Surprised by Hope provides a big biblical picture of Christian life by describing how
God is directing the history of the world. Wright provides, based on exegesis of the Scripture, what
the heaven, the Kingdom of God, and the New Heaven and New Earth are and how they practically
affect our present Christian life. C. S. Lewis Mere Christianity is a classic Christian apologetic on
common Christian doctrine. It provides an intellectual defense of what Christians believe against
modern mindset. And Richard Mouws Calvinism at the Las Vegas Airport explains what Calvinist
faith means in the modern life environments. Students are to write their reflections on the most
significant subjects of the reading.
Some suggestions for review:
- Who is the author?
- What is his thesis or purpose of writing the book?
- Among the subjects that the author is dealing with, what are most relevant or noticeable to you? Is
the author raising important and relevant questions to you?
- How does the author handle the subjects? Is the author faithful to Scripture in handling the subjects?
- Are there anything striking or new to you in the book? If you find new teachings from the book, try
to compare them with your previous knowledge about the subject, and consider which one is more
based on the biblical teaching. Try to see what different teachings may imply to your faith and your
attitude toward life and world.
3. Journals (25%)
You are required to submit 10 journals (1-2 page, single-spaced) throughout the semester, as
indicated on the course calendar. The purpose of writing a journal is to digest the material you read
and provide your insightful response to it. Good journals will demonstrate your critical understanding
and insightful response. Though your personal faith is important for the class, the journal is more
than a personal statement of faith. Try to write the journal based on what you find in the reading.
Journaling will provide you an opportunity to prepare the class discussion and will be necessary for
preparing the exams. Further explanation of each journal question is provided at courses@dordt.

All written assignments must be typed and printed out, due at the beginning of the class; no email!
Put your name, section number, journal number (J1, J2), and date at the top.
The journals will be graded on a 10 point scale as follows:
10 points Superb insight, well-written, clearly communicated.
8 points
Answers the question well, shows some understanding.
6 points
Attempts the assignment; partially done or misses the point.
2 points
Journal showing no evidence of reading
Each journal turned in late will be given a reduced score by 3 points.
4. Term Paper (20%)
The term paper, 8 pages, double-spaced. Further instruction will be forthcoming.
5. Tests (35%)
Students will take three tests that cover both assigned reading and in-class discussions. Tests will ask
what this course is meant to achieve: gaining factual knowledge and learning fundamental principle
of the Bible, in other words, what is most discussed in the class. Ultimately it will lead to the nurture
of your faith. The tests will consist of objective and essay questions.
You must write your essay answers in the blue book (which will be provided). Students are expected
to take the tests at the scheduled time. Failure to take them as scheduled will result in a score of 0
(zero), unless prior arrangements are made with the professor (in cases of illness or family emergency
as documented by Student Services). Excuses such as I overslept, I have 2+ other exams, or Im
going home for the weekend, so can I take the exam early? will not exempt you from the
consequences of a missed exam. Any make-up exams will be scheduled at the professors
convenience and may take a different format than the scheduled exam. The final test will be
comprehensive, but focus on the material covered after the second test.
6. Grading Allocation:
Attendance
Review Essay
10 Journals
1 Term Paper
2 Tests (10% each)
Final exam

8. Grading Scale:
A
94-100
A90-93.9
B+
87-89.9
B
84-86.9
B80-83.9
C+
77-79.9

%
5%
15%
25%
20%
20%
15%
==========
Total: 100%

C
CD+
D
DF

Points
100
100
10 x 10 pts
100
100
2 x 100 pts
200
100
==========
Total: 700

74-76.9
70-73.9
67-69.9
64-66.9
60-63.9
59.9 and below

Tutoring for the course

TBA

A Learning Covenant
Theology Department Policies
As partners in the mission of God in the world, we accept our roles and commit ourselves to faithful service of
God, each other, and the world. We recognize that God is at work in our midst and calls us to lovingly serve him by
respecting and serve each other. Through serving each other in this learning community we will be better prepared
to serve God in our world. We will respect each others gifts and callings and be faithful in carrying out our roles in
this community so that we may develop in imaging God. We commit ourselves to learning from each other through
dutiful preparation for class, respectful contributions in class, and significant reflection on applying learning to life.
At the heart of learning and life is loving communication. To carry forth this communication ethically we will be
present, prepared, and engaged to the best of our abilities.
Covenant Expectations
1. Attendance
You are expected to be on time and present for each class period. However, there might be times when you know
you will not be able to attend. You are then expected to notify the professor by e-mail prior to the time of the class.
If you are absent for more than one week of classes (e.g. 3 for MWF, 2 times for Tues/Thurs courses) without
good reasons, we will send out an academic alert and might make adjustments to your grade. If you miss class and
did not intend to, e-mail your professor as soon as you recognize this. Sporadic attendance will affect your grade but
could also prompt your professor to request that you withdraw from a course. Absence more than two weeks
without proper reasons will earn an F.
2. Assignments
Submit your assignments in on time. If you find that you have spent more than two hours outside of class for each
hour in class within a given week, let your professor know how far you were able to get and send an e-mail about
this prior to class. Your assignments are to give evidence of preparation and reflection for classroom communication.
Late assignments will be penalized 20% per day on daily assignments and 10% per day on major projects.
3. Written assignments
Communication needs to be honest and clear. Ideas borrowed from others must be appropriately cited (consult the
colleges policy on plagiarism). Use good grammar to enhance communication. There are many resources for
improving your written communication, including the resources of the ASK Center. Poorly written papers will lose
up to 10% and you will likely be asked to rewrite them.
4. Academic Accommodation Policy
Students Rights to Assistance or Accommodations- Any student who feels s/he may need academic
accommodations or access accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and
register with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the Academic Skills (ASK) Center during
the first week of class. The CSSD, Mrs. Marliss Van Der Zwaag, (L168, (712) 722-6490, mvdzwwag@dordt.edu) is
the officer to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and
reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with the CSSD must meet with her to obtain a new
accommodation memo for each semester.
5. Academic Dishonesty Policy
Dordt College is committed to developing a community of Christian scholars where all members accept the
responsibility of practicing personal and academic integrity in obedience to biblical teaching. For students, this
means not lying, cheating, or stealing others work to gain academic advantage; it also means opposing academic
dishonesty. Students found to be academically dishonest will receive academic sanctions from their professor (from
a failing grade on the particular academic task to a failing grade in the course) and will be reported to the Student
Life Committee for possible institutional sanctions (from a warning to dismissal from the college). Appeals in such
matters will be handled by the student disciplinary process. For more information, see the Student Handbook at
www.dordt.edu/campus_life/student_handbook/general_information.shtml#academic_dishonesty
Academic Covenant
Students are required to copy out the following pledge, sign, and submit to the professor at the beginning of the
second class:
"As a student enrolled in this class and a member of Dordt Colleges Christian academic community, I accept the
responsibility of practicing personal and academic integrity. I have read the statement above and the definitions of
Academic Dishonesty at Dordt College. I have asked the professor to clarify points I do not understand or will ask
for clarification before submitting an academic task. I understand the serious consequences of engaging in academic
dishonesty.