Certificate in Scripture & Society

Scripture & Society

The Certificate in Scripture & Society is a one-year course of study inviting learners into practices of deep listening to sacred text, self, and others in their everyday lives. This certificate provides an overview of biblical literature and interpretive methods with special attention to how hermeneutical frameworks and cultural context impact our readings of scripture and thus our understanding of self, others, and all of creation. This course of study invites students to explore the literary forms, themes, and history of the reception of the Bible. Students will be introduced to interpretive tools to help them engage in all kinds of listening with a posture of curiosity and humility, opening them towards faithful presence in their service in the world.

Certificate Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this certificate, students will be able to …

1. Competently identify biblical genres, including an appreciation for their relevant contexts (canonical, historical, literary, and theological).

2. Articulate a personal and culturally located understanding of why scripture matters and what is at stake for particular interpretations within lived communities. 

3. Engage with theory and praxis related to deep listening and cultivate a relational stance marked by observation, openness, and curiosity.

4. Explicate biblical themes and practices that sustain the soul and inform contextually relevant, collaborative community change.