DESCRIPTION:

This is the first of a two-course sequence designed to provide a basic introduction to the New Testament, including not only the traditional elements of "introduction," such as authorship, date, provenance, background, structure, and use of sources, but also the theologies of the various writings. The orientation is both historical and exegetical. The present course is devoted to the four gospels, and traces their origin, inter-relationship, theological distinctives, and value as sources for life of Jesus research. Some attention will be given to the hermeneutical problem of preaching from the Gospels today. The course will commence with an overview of inter-testamental history.

An understanding of the Gospels is indispensable not only in teaching and preaching, but in developing a biblically informed theology that equips one for everyday living.

Meeting daily for two weeks, for four-hour sessions, the course will be presented as a series of lectures on various topics and exegesis of important passages. Students are expected to keep their reading current and to be prepared to discuss topics in class.

Aland, Kurt, ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English Edition of the Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorium, with the Greek Nestle-Aland 26th Edition Text and Parallel English Revised Standard Version 2nd Edition Text. 9th Edition. United Bible Societies (New York: American Bible Society), 1987 (or equivalent).

Carson, D. A., Moo, D. J., and Morris, L. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.

Evans, Craig A. Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1992.

Stein, Robert H. The Method and Message of Jesus' Teaching. Rev. ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1994 (or 1st ed., 1978).

1. Recommended reading prior to the first class meeting: Carson-Moo-Morris, pp. 19-176;
   and Stein, pp. 1-151 (in the rev. ed.).

2. Midterm (20%) and final exam (30%) covering course lectures and reading.

3. One 8-10 page exegetical paper (50%). There are two deadlines for turning in the exegesis paper. For Professor Evans to read and grade it the deadline is August 12, 2005 (post-marked no later than this date); for the TA it is September 12, 2005 (dropped off at the Academic Programs Office).

None.

Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 1 (NT1).

Yes.