Winter 2008/Pasadena
NS589
Green

NS589: THE HUMAN PERSON IN NEW TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE. Joel B. Green.


DESCRIPTION: An exploration of the nature of humanity -- focusing on the multivalent witness of the New Testament, understood theologically within its literary and cultural worlds and in relation to contemporary science. Major New Testament writings and topics will be explored.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to:

  1. identify thoughtful ways in which the natural sciences and Scripture contribute to our theological understanding of the human person;

  2. demonstrate a critical awareness of the interconnectedness in New Testament studies between one's portrait of the human person and such areas of study as salvation, the church, discipleship, free will, and eternal life; and

  3. propose a coherent, Christian understanding of the human person, together with its implications for faithful life and ministry practice.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Understanding the character of humans in relation to God and with respect to the vocation given humanity by God is central to the whole range of ministry practices (including, e.g., evangelism, preaching, hospitality, and Christian education and formation) and ethical life.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lectures, group work, and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: Choose one book from each of the following four sets of texts:
Ehrlich, Paul R. Human Natures: Genes, Cultures, and the Human Prospect. New York: Penguin, 2000.

Or LeDoux, Joseph. Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are. New York: Viking, 2002.
Green, Joel B., ed. What about the Soul? Neuroscience and Christian Anthropology. Nashville: Abingdon, 2004.

Or Jeeves, Malcolm A., ed. From Cells to Souls: Changing Portraits of Human Nature. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.
Middleton, J. Richard. The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2005.

Or Wright, John P. and Paul Potter, eds. Psyche and Soma: Physicians and Metaphysicians on the Mind-Body Problem from Antiquity to Enlightenment. Oxford: Clarendon, 2000.
Biddle, Mark E. Missing the Mark: Sin and Its Consequences in Biblical Theology. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005.

Or Schnelle, Udo. The Human Condition: Anthropology in the Teachings of Jesus, Paul, and John. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Completion of assigned reading.

  2. Two Reflection Papers (4 pages each; 25% of final grade)

  3. Two Book Reviews (the first on either Ehrlich or LeDoux, the second on either Middleton or Wright/Potter, 5 pages each; 45% of final grade)

  4. Final, Integrative Paper (10 pages; 35% of final grade)

PREREQUISITES: NS500 and NS501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/07)