DESCRIPTION:

This course is a general introduction to the New Testament texts from Acts through Revelation with major emphasis given to the letters of Paul and Pauline studies. Attention is given to the first-century contexts (Judaism; Greco-Roman society; early church) of the documents, to the methodological issues of interpretation and to the use of these texts in the church today.

An understanding of the letters of Paul, the other New Testament "letters," Acts and Revelation is essential for Christian teaching and preaching. This literature provides a foundation for a biblical theology which is essential to Christian thought and obedient life. This literature also provides an opportunity for various types of hermeneutical reflection on its meaning for the church and its life today. This literature (and course) should increase one's understanding of the nature and authority of Scripture, one's commitment to biblical obedience, and one's enthusiasm for reading and understanding the New Testament.

This course (meeting in two-hour sessions twice a week for the quarter) will consist of lectures and, hopefully, vigorous discussion.

Banks, R. Paul's Idea of Community. Rev. ed. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994.

Brown, R. E. An Introduction to the New Testament. (Anchor Bible Reference Library.) New York: Doubleday, 1997 [pages 97-278; 333-82; 817-30 are not required].

Hooker, M. D. Paul: A Short Introduction. Oxford: Oneworld, 2003.

Horrell, D. An Introduction to the Study of Paul. (Continuum Biblical Studies Series.) London and New York: Continuum, 2000.

Scholer, D. M. New Testament II: Acts-Revelation/Course Study Guide. Fuller Theological Seminary, Continuing and Extended Education/School of Theology, Individualized Distance Learning, [1996]. This notebook is available from the Fuller Seminary Bookstore.

Ascough, R. S. What Are They Saying about the Formation of Pauline Churches? New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist, 1998.

Aune, D. E. The New Testament in Its Literary Environment. (Library of Early Christianity.) Philadelphia: Westminster, 1987.

Ferguson, E. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3d ed. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2003.

Murphy-O'Connor, J. Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His Skills. (Good News Studies 41.) Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1995.

Witherington, B., III. The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of Tarsus. Downers Grove/Leicester: InterVarsity, 1998.

1. A brief essay (4-5 pages) on the theology of either Hebrews or Revelation.

2. A detailed structural outline (2-4 pages) of either 1 John or James.

3. An objective content examination (in class), covering 50 significant quotations from Acts-Revelation.

4. A paper (10-12 pages) on Paul and his letters.

Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2).