Using Exegetical Techniques to Improve Biblical Literacy Among GCSE Students: A Critical Investigation and Analysis
Ryan Comins
(PGCE Secondary Religious Studies, 2019-2020)
Email: rc690@cantab.ac.uk
Abstract
This paper explores a potential strategy for developing and improving the biblical literacy of GCSE students. Biblical literacy refers to students’ ability to interpret biblical texts intelligently and independently, rather than being reliant on the explanations and interpretations of others. The strategy explored in this paper applies the basic scholarly tools of exegesis (critical interpretation of a biblical text) to biblical passages within the GCSE classroom. Findings suggest that contextualizing biblical quotations and interrogating a range of possible meanings may help to develop a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of these passages. The extent to which current examination question styles demand, encourage and reward genuine biblical literacy is also questioned. Finally, this paper offers several recommendations for how this classroom strategy could be improved and adapted, as well as affirming more broadly the need for a deeper engagement with sacred texts in Religious Education.
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The full paper is available for download as a pdf file:175-200cominsr
Citation: Comins, R. (2021) 'Using Exegetical Techniques to Improve Biblical Literacy Among GCSE Students: A Critical Investigation and Analysis' Journal of Trainee Teacher Educational Research, Volume 12 pp.175-200 (Downloaded from http://jotter.educ.cam.ac.uk/, [date of access])