DESCRIPTION: This is the first course in the New Testament series [NS500/NS501] that provides a basic introduction to the New Testament. This course will examine the origins, historical and cultural background, theological contributions, and intertextual relationships between the four gospels. Special attention will be given to those aspects of the text which are more difficult for the modern reader to understand (such as Jesus' miracles) and the hermeneutical challenges for communicating the message of these texts to others.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course should have learned and/or been enabled to (1) explain the formation of the Gospels and their relationship to the historical Jesus and the early church; (2) be able to practice both redactional and narrative analysis of the Gospel accounts; (3) be able to explain the unique contributions that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John make to our understanding of Jesus; and (4) perceive the relevance of Jesus' life, ministry, and death as recorded in the Gospels and for the students' lives and ministries.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The four Gospels are not only the starting point of the New Testament and its biggest single unit but also the most important source for the life and ministry of Jesus. Without an intimate familiarity with them no Christian existence is conceivable, how much less then any Christian ministry, regardless of the kind.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet eight days for four-hour sessions (32 contact hours). The content of the course will consist of lectures and assigned readings.

REQUIRED READING:

Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English Edition (or the English only edition). American Bible Society, 1987.

Core, Deborah. The Seminary Student Writes. Chalice Press, 2000.

deSilva, David A. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation. InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Green, J. B. and S. McKnight. Dictionary of Jesus & the Gospels. InterVarsity Press, 1992 (selections).

Hooker, Morna D. Endings: Invitations to Discipleship. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2003.

McKnight, Scott. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels. Baker, 1988.

Blomberg, Craig. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. Broadman and Holman, 1997.

Evans, Craig A. Jesus. Baker, 1992.

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 1993.

Ladd, George Eldon. A Theology of the New Testament. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 1993.

1. One 4-5 page paper on McKnight and Hooker's books. Due second day of class (15%).

2. One 4-page assignment: either narrative or redactional analysis of an assigned passage. Due July10 (15%).

3. One 10-page term paper on one of the miracles in the Gospels. Due August 4 (postmarked) (40%).

4. One essay exam, taken during the last two hours of class on July 14 (30%).

Bring a set of 6-8 erasable colored pencils to this class for various in-class assignments. See the Campus Pipeline page for this course for a link to a webpage with the course syllabus and assignments.