DESCRIPTION: This course is a general introduction to the "second half" of the New Testament writings, covering the Acts of the Apostles through the Book of Revelation. Due to his prominence both as a literary character in Acts and as author of the Pauline corpus, Paul and the subsequent tradition inspired by him will receive major attention in the course of this study, including historical and methodological considerations that lie at the center of much current debate. By way of comparison and contrast, attention will also be given to strands of non-Pauline (mainly Jewish) Christianity that receive expression in the New Testament documents.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to discuss: (1) critical issues in the interpretation of Paul, including the distinction between the literary and historical Paul; (2) basic introductory matters related to each of the documents covered in the course, including authorship, date, historical occasion, and theological themes; (3) the narrative plot structure of the Book of Acts as it charts the spread of the Christian movement from Jerusalem to Rome; (4) the wide assortment of ecclesiologies emerging from the New Testament period; (5) the unity and disunity of the New Testament writings and their role as Scripture in the life of the church today.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: A working knowledge of the New Testament documents, including their historical, literary, and theological contexts, is indispensable for the conceptualization and practice of ministry. The large sweep of New Testament material covered in this course will not only increase the student's competency as a reader of New Testament texts but will acquaint him or her with a wide assortment of ecclesiologies emerging from the New Testament period. As a result, the student will gain greater appreciation for the ministry of the church in a multiplicity of forms.

COURSE FORMAT: The course is primarily lecture in format, with appropriate emphasis on outside reading of primary and secondary source material. The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Brown, Raymond E. The Churches the Apostles Left Behind. Paulist Press, 1984.

__________. An Introduction to the New Testament. Doubleday, 1997.

Horrell, David. An Introduction to the Study of Paul. Continuum, 2000.

Porter, Stanley E. Paul in Acts. Hendrickson, 2001.

Achtemeier, Paul J. The Quest for Unity in the New Testament Church. Fortress, 1987.

Beker, J. C. Heirs of Paul: Paul's Legacy in the New Testament and in the Church Today. Fortress, 1991.

Bruce, F. F. Peter, Stephen, James, and John: Studies in Non-Pauline Christianity. Eerdmans, 1980.

Hawthorne, G. F., R. P. Martin, and D. G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Martin, R. P. and P. H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Witherington, Ben. The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of Tarsus. InterVarsity Press, 1998.

1. A midterm examination based on the content of the Pauline corpus (30%) .

2. An 8-10 page paper comparing and contrasting the Paul of Acts with the Paul of the Epistles (25%).

3. An original, detailed structural outline of the Letter of James (15%).

4. A final examination based on the content of Hebrews through Revelation (30%).