Learn to Interpret Scripture in  Historical, Literary, and Theological Context

Many Bible readers want to understand the true meaning of a text, but lack a clear method for doing so. This course introduces the science and art of biblical interpretation, equipping you to read Scripture more carefully through a systematic approach to hermeneutics. You will learn how context, genre, language, and theology interact to help you transition from surface reading to responsible interpretation.

Why Does Biblical Hermeneutics Matter?

Reading the Bible devotionally is essential, but faithful interpretation requires more than intuition. Without sound hermeneutical principles, passages can easily be misunderstood or applied out of context. This course helps you build a framework for reading Scripture responsibly, whether for preaching, teaching, ministry, or personal spiritual growth. Competitor pages repeatedly emphasize accurate interpretation through context, method, and application, which aligns well with this positioning.

What is Biblical Hermeneutics?

Biblical hermeneutics, also known as biblical interpretation, is the science and art of interpreting Scripture. It addresses how to understand the meaning of a biblical text faithfully and how to apply that meaning responsibly today. This ETS Online course introduces theoretical issues and the history of interpretation, but focuses primarily on the practical aspects of learning the rules and methods for interpreting different kinds of biblical literature.

What you will learn:

Gain a Clear Framework for Biblical Interpretation

Build a systematic approach to reading Scripture by understanding the core principles of hermeneutics. You will learn how meaning is shaped by historical setting, literary form, and theological context so that you can interpret biblical texts more responsibly and with greater confidence.

Read Biblical Texts with Greater Depth and Accuracy

Develop the ability to recognize genre, trace context, and ask better interpretive questions. This course helps you move beyond surface reading and equips you to understand how narratives, poetry, prophecy, and other forms of biblical literature should be read and interpreted.

Apply Sound Interpretation to Ministry and Personal Study

Turn theory into practice by learning how to use hermeneutical tools in preaching, teaching, discipleship, and personal Bible study. The course is designed to help you handle Scripture in a way that is faithful to the text and relevant to real ministry situations.

Course Topics Covered

The course covers the foundations of biblical hermeneutics in a structured and practical way. You will explore the history of Bible interpretation, key interpretative methods, and the strengths and weaknesses of different critical approaches. Special attention is given to the interpretation of major biblical genres, including narrative, poetry, and prophecy, so that you can understand how different kinds of biblical literature require different interpretive strategies.

The syllabus

13 Chapters · 98 Lessons

  1. 1

    Course Orientation

    1. Course Teaser Free preview
    2. Before You Begin Free preview
    3. How Your Course Works Free preview
    4. Academic integrity Free preview
    5. Style Guide Free preview
  2. 2

    Chapter 1: Introduction to Hermeneutics

    1. Reading Assignment Free preview
    2. Lesson 1: Introduction & Terms Free preview
    3. Correct Terminology Free preview
    4. The Role of Context, Exegesis, and Hermeneutics Free preview
    5. Reading Assignment Free preview
    6. Lesson 2: Interpreter and Scripture Free preview
    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The Interpreter's Context

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      A Practical Investigation

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      How does God communicate?

  3. 3

    Chapter 2: The History

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3: Historical Background I

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Terms of the Historical Context

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Exegesis in the Ancient Jewish world

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Analyze Ancient Jewish Methods

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Own Biases

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      The usage of the Old Testament in the New Testament

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Church Fathers

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      The Fourfold Exegesis

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Hermeneutical Divergences within the Reformation

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4: Historical Background II

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Matthias Flacius: Reformation and Hermeneutics

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Hermeneutical Evolution: Lutheran Movement

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Hermeneutical Evolution: Enlightenment

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Karl Girgensohn

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Holistic Approaches to Biblical Interpretation

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Interaction in the course forum

  4. 4

    Chapter 3: The Goal of Interpretation

    1. Lesson 5: Step One is Exegesis Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Easy and Difficult Passages

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The Exegetical Process I

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The Exegetical Process II

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Straightforward Reading Method

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    8. Lesson 6: Step Two is Hermeneutics Free preview
    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading something into a text

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Exploring Alternative Text Interpretations

  5. 5

    Chapter 4: The Exegetical Process

    1. Lesson 7: The Question of the Text Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The Science of Bible Translation

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8: The Question of the Language

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Different Aims for Different Types of Bible Translations

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Different Bible translations

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 9: The Issue of the Historical Distance

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The Historical Distance

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 10: How to choose a Translation

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      The Effectiveness of Bible Translations Across Different Contexts

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 11: How to choose a Commentary

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      A Good Commentary

  6. 6

    Chapter 5: Unterstanding and Interpreting the Epistles

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 12: The Epistles

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Structure of Epistles

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Challenges for Interpreting Epistles

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Example: Corinthians

  7. 7

    Chapter 6: Unterstanding and Interpreting Old Testament Narratives

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 13: Old Testament Narratives

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      7 Characteristics of Hebrew Narrative

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      A Narrative's Trajectory

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading between the lines

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Discuss in the Forum

  8. 8

    Chapter 7: Unterstanding and Interpreting The book of Acts

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 14: The book of Acts

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Motivation for Reading Acts

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Luke's intentions for writing Acts

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Modern Church Structure: Back to the Roots

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Modern Church Structure: Discuss

  9. 9

    Chapter 8: Unterstanding and Interpreting The Gospels

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 15: The Gospels

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Jesus did not write the four Gospels

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Four Gospels - Four Authors

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Unveiling Strength Through Critique: Addressing Concerns in the Gospels

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Forum Discussion

  10. 10

    Chapter 9: Unterstanding and Interpreting Parables

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 16: Parables

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Four Rules

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Interpreting Parables correctly

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      A New Testament Parable

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Identifying the Target Group

  11. 11

    Chapter 10: Unterstanding and Interpreting the Law

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 17: The Law

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Challenges of the Law for Christians

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Forum Discussion

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Six Guidelines for the Mosaic Law

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Christians and the Law

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      From Theory to Practice

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Forum Discussion

  12. 12

    Chapter 11: Unterstanding and Interpreting the Prophets

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 18: The Prophets

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Reading Assignment

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      The four Expressions of a Prophet

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Specific Examples

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      The Prophetic Perspective of Chronological Events

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Interpreting the Prophets

  13. 13

    The Excellence Commitment

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Excellence Commitment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Before Finishing...

Interpret Biblical Texts with Greater Care

Learn how to thoughtfully approach Scripture by paying attention to its context, meaning, and interpretive method.

Identify Interpretive Problems More Clearly

Recognize common challenges in biblical interpretation. Develop a more discerning reading of the text.

Handle Scripture Responsibly

Develop habits that encourage faithful interpretation, helping you engage with the Bible in a serious, clear, and theologically profound way.

Use Hermeneutics in Real Ministry Contexts

Use interpretive tools when preaching, teaching, leading Bible studies, and in other ministry settings.

Grow in Confidence from Text to Meaning

Gain the confidence to move from reading a passage to understanding and explaining it more clearly.

Build a Stronger Foundation for Further Study

Establish a solid grounding in hermeneutics that supports deeper theological learning, more informed exegesis, and long-term growth in handling Scripture well.

Who this ETS Online course is for?

This course is designed for pastors, ministry leaders, theology students, and Christians who want to understand the Bible more deeply with ETS Online. It is especially valuable for those who want academic depth in exegesis without losing practical relevance for ministry and spiritual growth. This matches ETS Online’s two central audiences: leaders seeking accredited and reliable theological training, and private learners looking for trustworthy, biblically faithful teaching online.

Part of an ECTE-Accredited Program

This course is part of the ECTE-accredited Micro-Credential Program offered by ETS Online and awards 3 ECTS credits. These credits are formally recognized across Europe and can be applied toward further accredited theological study. Beyond its academic value, the course helps students explore the historical, linguistic, and theological context of Scripture and learn essential principles of interpretation. It combines recognized academic credibility with practical tools for faithfully reading, understanding, and applying biblical texts.

Learn from Experienced Theology Professors

Use this to describe your product. Speak directly to your audience, address their challenges, and show them how your product provides a solution to their problems. Consider what might be holding your target audience back, and tackle those potential concerns upfront. Make sure you clearly state the practical benefits your audience will gain from your product. Share a glimpse of your expertise or the special approach that sets your product apart from the rest. Don’t forget to add a clear and simple call-to-action so that your audience knows exactly how and where to sign up!

Dr. Steffen Schumacher

Meet Dr. Steffen Schumacher

Dr. Steffen Schumacher is Professor of Hebrew and Greek at the European Theological Seminary (ETS). With deep expertise in the biblical languages and years of teaching experience, he helps students engage Scripture with greater precision, theological depth, and interpretive care. In this ETS Online course, he guides students in learning how to read, interpret, and apply biblical texts faithfully. His combination of academic scholarship and practical ministry relevance makes this course both intellectually rigorous and highly useful for preaching, teaching, discipleship, and personal Bible study.

Study Online with Flexibility

ETS Online is designed for individuals seeking a serious theological education in a flexible format. This course allows you to study wherever you are and fit theological learning around your ministry, work, and family life. ETS Online emphasizes accessible, internationally scalable theological education without unnecessary barriers, making it especially suitable for learners who need quality and flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this course suitable for beginners?

Yes, the course is an introduction to biblical hermeneutics that establishes a systematic foundation for understanding biblical texts.

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn the fundamentals of hermeneutics, including the historical-grammatical method, biblical genres, primary interpretive approaches, and the exegetical process.

Who is this course for?

It is designed for pastors, leaders, theology students, and Christians seeking deeper biblical understanding.

Accredited Learning That Counts

Earn 3 ECTS credits by taking this course on Biblical Interpretation from our ECTE-accredited program. Advance your theological studies and earn credentials that are recognized across Europe.

Expert Guidance on Biblical Interpretation

Receive expert insights and guidance to help you understand the complexities of biblical literature with precision and clarity.

Comprehensive Biblical Hermeneutics Training

Explore the theoretical foundations and historical context of biblical interpretation, focusing on practical rules and methods for analyzing narratives, poetry, and prophecy.

Begin your journey into the world of Bible Interpretation with confidence by enrolling today!

— gain expert insight and practical skills for life and ministry.

€300,00

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