Winter 2013/Southwest

NS501

Nelson

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

DESCRIPTION: This course constitutes an introduction to the nature, structure, and message of the New Testament Letters and the Apocalypse of John in their historical, literary, and canonical contexts.

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, and for thinking carefully and creatively about Christian faith in today's world, and for faithful Christian discipleship.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated that they: (1) are familiar with the historical background, genre, content, structure, and message of the writings from Romans through Revelation; (2) have skill in the interpretation of these writings as appropriate for effective leadership in various contexts; and (3) can articulate the character of the NT letters and the Apocalypse of John as witnesses to the significance of Jesus Christ for the life and mission of his church.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet once a week for three hours for 10 weeks, for 30 hours total class time. Each student is expected to come to class prepared by reading assigned materials.

REQUIRED READING:

A careful reading of the 22 documents, Romans through Revelation, in the TNIV, NRSV, or CEB translation. [ca. 180 pp.]

Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye, Thompson.  Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. [ pp. 271-608, ca. 337 pp.] ISBN: 978-0802837172. $40.

Duvall, J. Scott and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting and Applying the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. [ca. pp. 350] ISBN: 9780310492573. $39.

______________________. Grasping God’s Word Workbook. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, [ca. pp. 125] ISBN: 978-0310262237. $20.

Hubbard, Moyer V. Christianity in the Greco-Roman World. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2010. [271 pp.] ISBN: 9780801046636. $25.

Wiles, Virginia. Making Sense of Paul: A Basic Introduction to Pauline Theology. Peabody, MA: Hendricksen Publishers, 2000. [148 pp.] ISBN: 978-1565631175. $20.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Students must be prepared by reading assigned materials in preparation for class. There will be four quizzes over assigned materials which will assess the knowledge level of the student of the NT materials assigned. ( 25%)

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). (10%)

3. Five-page book review on Wile’s book. (15%)

4. Five-page review on Hubbard’s book. (15%)

5. The completion of all assignments in the workbook which accompanies Grasping God’s Word. 35%

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv.: NT2; MAT: NT2; MACL: NT2

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.