Winter 2010

FSW – Phoenix

NS501

Nelson

  

NS501:  NEW TESTAMENT 2: ACTS-REVELATION. Ed Nelson                             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

DESCRIPTION: This course will provide an overview of the basic introductory matters and themes of

Acts through Revelation.  Along with a study of the texts themselves, we will be examining the historical-cultural setting in order to assist us in establishing the background of each document.   By trying to understand the situation of the writer as well as that of the intended audience, we will gain more understanding which will benefit our personal and pastoral lives.

 

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: An understanding of these documents is foundational for developing a biblically informed theology that equips one for preaching and teaching, for thinking carefully and creatively about Christian faith in today's world, and for faithful Christian discipleship.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a fundamental knowledge of the content of the NT documents studied in this part of the course; (2) an acquaintance with a cultural and historical matters that may inform our understanding of the faith of early Christianity; (3) an understanding of some of the factors contributing to the growth and development of the early church, the various struggles it faced, and the theological positions that emerged as a result; (4) an appreciation of how these documents bear witness to the Risen Lord; and (5) a focus on how and why these documents were included in the Christian biblical canon.

 

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet over four weekends, for 30 hours total class time. Each student is expected to come to class prepared by reading assigned materials.  

 

REQUIRED READING:

á     Achtemeier, Paul J., Green, Joel B., and Thompson, Marianne Meye.  Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. [544 pp.] ISBN: 0802837174

á     Hawthorne, Gerald F., Martin, Ralph P., The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. DownerÕs Grove:  InterVarsity Press, 1993. [1038 pp.] ISBN: 0830817786

á     Martin, Ralph P. and Davids, Peter H., The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. DownerÕs Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997. [1289 pp.] ISBN: 0830817794

á     Wright, N.T., What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1997. [192 pp.] ISBN: 0802844456 

ASSIGNMENTS:

1.   Students must be prepared by reading assigned materials in preparation for class.  With each class session, the student needs to turn in an index card indicating what they have read since the last session.  Failure to read all assignments for the course will result in at least a ½ letter grade reduction. (15 %)

2.   Map quiz: each student must be able to identify selected cites/towns, regions, bodies of water on a blank map of the Roman Empire in New Testament Times (almost blank). (5%)

3.   Two 1 Hour exams: one on the Acts and one on the Pauline Epistles. (20%)

4.   Four-page book review on WrightÕs book. (15%)

5.   Two seven-page studies on two NT documents in our study.  Choose from one of the Prison Epistles, from one of the General Epistles, or Hebrews. (25%)

6.   Final exam.  (20%)

 

PREREQUISITES:  None

  

REALATION OF COURSE TO CURRICULUM:  MDiv.: NT1; MAT: NT1; MACL: NT1

 

FINAL EXAM:  Yes                                  

 

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.