DESCRIPTION: A general introduction to the New Testament texts from Acts through Revelation with major emphasis given to the letters of Paul and Pauline studies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) understand the content, literary forms, and historical settings of Acts-Revelation; (2) appreciate the social and religious context of the first-century Roman world; (3) develop appropriate hermeneutical skills for reading these texts in the postmodern cultural context; (4) gain insights into how these texts might be regarded as Christian Scripture in today's church.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: These New Testament documents are a key source of Christian belief, and informed understanding of them is essential for Christian life and ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet twice weekly for five weeks for three-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Ascough, R. S. What Are They Saying About the Formation of Pauline Churches? Paulist, 1998.

Banks, R. Paul's Idea of Community. 2d ed. Hendrickson, 1994.

Blomberg, Craig L. From Pentecost to Patmos. Broadman & Holman, 2006.

Ferguson, E. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3d ed. Eerdmans, 2003.

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

Cousar, C. B. The Letters of Paul. Abingdon, 1996.

Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Eerdmans, 1998.

Drane, John. Introducing the New Testament. Fortress Press, 2001.

Hawthorne, Gerald F, and Ralph P Martin, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993.

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

• Attendance: Students will be expected to attend class on a regular basis. Those who miss more than three class meetings will not receive a passing grade.

• Written work:
  (a) A contents test on the relevant NT books, on Monday February 19, counting for 25%.
  (b) An 8-10 page paper comparing and contrasting the picture of Paul in Acts with Paul as he presents himself in his own writings; due Friday March 2, counting for 25%.
  (c) A final exam covering all the content of the course, on Monday March 12, counting for 50%. All pieces must be completed satisfactorily to gain a grade.