English for Bible and Theology: Understanding and Communicating Theology Across Cultural and Linguistic Barriers

• Published in: Teaching theology & religion 2013-01, Vol.16 (1), p.33-49
• Main Authors: Pierson, Cheri, Bankston, Will
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biblical Literature; classroom learning designs; Communicative Competence (Languages); communicative language teaching; Cross Cultural Studies; Cultural Awareness; English (Second Language); English as a second language; English for Academic Purposes; English for Specific Purposes; Higher education; inter-cultural; Interdisciplinary Approach; international students; Multicultural education; Philosophy; Religious education; Second Language Instruction; Second Language Learning; Theological Education; Theology
• ISSN: 1368-4868; 1467-9647
• DOI: 10.1111/teth.12003

This article introduces English for Bible and Theology (EBT), an inherently interdisciplinary field that merges English language learning with the content of biblical and theological studies in a context that is, by nature, cross‐cultural. Within this collaboration there exists the possibility not only to enable theological study, but also to enhance it through a focus on personal meaning and its communication, both of which are foundational to the communicative language classroom. That is, EBT seeks both to aid students worldwide in attaining the specialized language and cultural proficiency necessary to access English theological resources and to provide a community in which students can connect theological content to their lives. It is this second aim that provides EBT its relevance across a range of theological contexts, as native English‐speaking students likewise stand to benefit from the application of EBT's principles.