DESCRIPTION: This course begins with the biographical genre of the Gospels
(increasingly accepted in NT scholarship) and builds upon the fact that one
purpose of ancient biography was for the readers to imitate the subject's words
and deeds, particularly from a moral point of view. Many approaches to NT
ethics look only at Jesus' and Paul's moral teaching and ignore this narrative
biographical dimension of following and imitating Jesus himself. Yet Paul tells
us "be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). The course will look
at the ethical material in the Gospels and Paul's letters from this perspective
of imitating Jesus in both his rigorous ethical teaching and his gracious
welcome to sinners. It will also study the use of the Bible both to justify
racism in South Africa under apartheid and to critique it in the struggle for
freedom as a test case for this methodology for New Testament ethics.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, students should (1) know
the ethical material contained in the Gospels and epistles; (2) understand this
material in the context of their literary character; (3) develop the skills to
interpret and apply such material to contemporary ethical issues; (4) seek to
imitate Jesus in both his words and deeds within a community of disciples.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Many Christian communities are deeply divided over the
use of the New Testament in ethical decision making, with some groups claiming
to be "biblical" and others wanting to be "inclusive." This course will examine
this dichotomy and will seek to provide a model for being biblical within an
inclusive community which seeks to imitate the words and deeds of Jesus.
COURSE FORMAT: Meeting daily for two weeks for four-hour sessions centered
around lectures on the historical Jesus, Paul and the Gospels, and a
methodology for interpreting the Bible in the Christian community today.
Preparatory reading for each session and participation in class discussion is
expected.
REQUIRED READING: