DESCRIPTION:

This course combines PowerPoint assisted lectures, student presentations and interactive learning activities to engage in an exegetical study of the Greek text of the Epistles of 1, 2 and 3 John. The goal of the course is to provide students with an opportunity to sharpen their exegetical skills through a close examination of the structure, argument and message of these epistles, with a view to applying the practical lessons learned to their personal lives and communicating them effectively to others in ministry contexts.

The Johannine Epistles reflect some of the most important theological discussions of the ancient church, including issues such as the identity of Jesus Christ, the importance of Christian community, orthodoxy and heresy, Christian maturity, sin and perfection, the security of the believer, the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, and church division. A better understanding of these early struggles and the solutions offered by these letters will equip students more effectively to meet the challenges of contemporary ministry.

Class sessions will be divided between lecture, student presentations and practical workshops designed to give hands-on experience in the various aspects of the exegetical task, from initial interpretation to practical application. The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

Smalley, Stephen S. 1, 2, 3 John. Word Biblical Commentary. Thomas Nelson, 1984.

Thompson, Marianne Meye. 1-3 John. IVP NT Commentary. InterVarsity Press, 1992.

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

Brown, Raymond. Epistles of John. Anchor Bible Commentary. Doubleday, 1982.

Johnson, Thomas. 1, 2 & 3 John. New International Biblical Commentary. Hendrickson, 1993.

Kruse, Colin G. The Letters of John. Pillar NT Commentary. Eerdmans, 2000.

Lieu, Judith. The Theology of the Johannine Epistles. Cambridge University Press, 1991.

1. Regular attendance at all class sessions.

2. The completion of regular weekly reading assignments from two current commentaries on the Johannine Epistles, along with brief summaries of the completed reading.

3. An in-class presentation on a selected passage from the epistles, involving translation, syntactical outlining and exegetical interaction and practical application.

4. A 15-page paper grappling with one of the key exegetical or theological issues raised by the epistles.

LG512, NE502, and NS501.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Exegesis (NTE).

No.