ATTENTION: saint Michael's college students

THE101: Introduction to
Sacred Scripture

A Foundation in Biblical Studies

THE101: Introduction to Sacred Scripture

Course Title:
THE101: Introduction to Sacred Scripture

Level:
Associate of Arts

Credits: 3.0

Investment: $450.00
(Payment Plans Are Available)

Registration Investment:
(Choose One)

Course Description:

This comprehensive online course provides a thorough introduction to Sacred Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, examining God's gift of divine revelation to humanity.

Students will explore what divine revelation is, how it has been transmitted through Scripture and Tradition, and the proper interpretation of Sacred Scripture within the Catholic Church.

The course presents the historical, cultural, and literary context of the biblical books while highlighting the theological and spiritual significance of God's Word.

Using the acclaimed "Formed in Christ" textbook by Emily Stimpson Chapman, students will study the major books and themes of both the Old and New Testaments, learning to read Scripture within the living Tradition of the Church.

Extensive readings from magisterial documents, including Dei Verbum, illuminate the beauty and depth of Catholic teaching on divine revelation.

As Pope St. John Paul II declared, the ultimate aim is to foster "communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ" through dynamic engagement with God's inspired Word.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate the Catholic understanding of divine revelation and its two sources: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition

  2. Explain the nature of biblical inspiration and how God is the true author of Scripture

  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the formation and canonization of Sacred Scripture in the Church

  4. Identify and describe the major literary forms, genres, and structures found in the Bible

  5. Analyze the historical and cultural contexts of the biblical books

  6. Trace the unified narrative arc of salvation history from Creation to the New Creation

  7. Apply proper principles of Catholic biblical interpretation (hermeneutics) according to Dei Verbum

  8. Synthesize the key themes, events, and figures of both Old and New Testaments

  9. Recognize how the Old Testament is fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the New Testament

  10. Interpret Scripture within the living Tradition of the Church using the four senses of Scripture

  11. Engage Sacred Scripture prayerfully through lectio divina and other spiritual reading methods

  12. Respond to common objections and challenges to the authority and reliability of Scripture

Target:

This course is designed for:

  • Catholic high school students (grades 9-12) in theology courses

  • College undergraduates seeking foundational knowledge of Sacred Scripture

  • RCIA candidates and catechumens preparing for reception into the Church

  • Adult education participants in parish Bible study programs

  • Catholic educators and catechists seeking certification or continuing education

  • Parents homeschooling their children in Catholic education

  • Ministers of the Word (lectors, catechists) seeking deeper formation

  • Anyone desiring a systematic Catholic introduction to the Bible

Prerequisites:

  • Basic familiarity with Christianity and Catholic practice

  • Reading comprehension at high school level or above

  • Access to a Catholic Bible (RSV-CE, NABRE, or Douay-Rheims recommended)

  • Willingness to engage with magisterial Church documents

  • No prior formal biblical studies required

Topics:

The course will cover the following major topics:

MODULE 1: The Word of God

  • What is divine revelation?

  • God's self-disclosure to humanity

  • The relationship between creation and revelation

  • Natural and supernatural revelation

  • The necessity of divine revelation for salvation

MODULE 2: Scripture and Tradition

  • The two sources of divine revelation

  • The deposit of faith

  • The relationship between Scripture and Tradition

  • The role of the Magisterium

  • Dei Verbum and Vatican II's teaching

MODULE 3: Biblical Inspiration

  • God as the true author of Scripture

  • The role of human authors

  • Inerrancy and truth in Sacred Scripture

  • Different theories of inspiration

  • The Holy Spirit's work in biblical authorship

MODULE 4: The Formation of the Canon

  • What is the biblical canon?

  • The Old Testament canon: Hebrew Bible vs. Septuagint

  • The deuterocanonical books

  • The formation of the New Testament canon

  • Criteria for canonicity in the early Church

MODULE 5: Principles of Catholic Biblical Interpretation

  • The literal and spiritual senses of Scripture

  • The four senses of Scripture (literal, allegorical, moral, anagogical)

  • Reading Scripture within the Tradition of the Church

  • The unity of Scripture: Old and New Testaments

  • Christological interpretation

MODULE 6: Literary Forms and Genres

  • Understanding biblical genres

  • Narrative, poetry, wisdom literature

  • Prophecy, apocalyptic, and epistolary forms

  • Parables and discourse

  • Reading Scripture according to its literary form

MODULE 7: Creation and Fall (Genesis 1-11)

  • The creation accounts

  • The goodness of creation

  • Original sin and the Fall

  • Cain and Abel, Noah and the Flood

  • The Tower of Babel

MODULE 8: The Patriarchs (Genesis 12-50)

  • Abraham: Father of Faith

  • The covenant with Abraham

  • Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes

  • Joseph and God's providence

  • The promises to the patriarchs

MODULE 9: Exodus and the Sinai Covenant

  • Moses and the burning bush

  • The ten plagues and the Passover

  • The Exodus from Egypt

  • The covenant at Mount Sinai

  • The Ten Commandments and the Law

MODULE 10: Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

  • The priesthood and sacrificial system

  • Holiness and ritual purity

  • The wilderness wanderings

  • The covenant renewed in Deuteronomy

  • Preparing to enter the Promised Land

MODULE 11: Conquest and Settlement

  • Joshua and the conquest of Canaan

  • The book of Judges

  • The cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance

  • Ruth: A Moabite's faithfulness

  • Samuel: Prophet and judge

MODULE 12: The United Kingdom

  • Saul: Israel's first king

  • David: The man after God's own heart

  • The Davidic covenant and messianic promise

  • Solomon: Wisdom and the Temple

  • The golden age of Israel

MODULE 13: The Divided Kingdom and Exile

  • The division of Israel and Judah

  • The prophetic ministry of Elijah and Elisha

  • The fall of the Northern Kingdom

  • The Babylonian Exile

  • Exile theology and hope for restoration

MODULE 14: Wisdom Literature

  • Job: The problem of suffering

  • Psalms: The prayer book of Israel

  • Proverbs: Practical wisdom for daily life

  • Ecclesiastes and the meaning of life

  • Song of Songs: Divine and human love

MODULE 15: The Prophets

  • The role and calling of the prophets

  • Major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel

  • Minor prophets and their messages

  • Messianic prophecies pointing to Christ

  • The Day of the Lord and eschatological hope

MODULE 16: The Life of Christ in the Gospels

  • The four Gospels: Unity and diversity

  • The Incarnation and infancy narratives

  • Jesus' public ministry, teaching, and miracles

  • The Passion, Death, and Resurrection

  • The Gospel as good news

MODULE 17: The Synoptic Gospels

  • Matthew: Jesus as the Jewish Messiah

  • Mark: Jesus the Suffering Servant

  • Luke: Jesus the Savior of all people

  • The Synoptic problem

MODULE 18: The Gospel of John

  • The Word made flesh (John 1:1-18)

  • The seven signs

  • The "I AM" statements of Jesus

  • The farewell discourse

  • High Christology and johannine theology

MODULE 19: Acts of the Apostles

  • The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

  • The birth and growth of the Church

  • Peter's ministry and leadership

  • Paul's missionary journeys

  • The Gospel spreads to the ends of the earth

MODULE 20: The Pauline Letters

  • Paul's conversion and calling

  • Major theological themes in Paul

  • Romans: Justification by faith

  • Corinthians: Church life and problems

  • Prison epistles and pastoral epistles

MODULE 21: The Catholic Epistles

  • Hebrews: Christ the high priest

  • James: Faith and works

  • 1 & 2 Peter: Hope in suffering

  • The johannine epistles

  • Jude: Contending for the faith

MODULE 22: The Book of Revelation

  • Apocalyptic literature and symbolism

  • The seven churches of Asia

  • The Lamb who was slain

  • The heavenly liturgy

  • The New Jerusalem and eternal hope

MODULE 23: Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church

  • Apocalyptic literature and symbolism

  • The seven churches of Asia

  • The Lamb who was slain

  • The heavenly liturgy

  • The New Jerusalem and eternal hope

Copyrights 2026-2027 | Saint Michael's Catholic College. All Rights Reserved.| Terms & Conditions | Policy Notice