Fall 2008/Pasadena
NS501
Hwang

NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ACTS-REVELATION (Taught in Korean). Jin K. Hwang.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide a general introduction to the second half of the New Testament, namely, Acts, the epistles, and the book of Revelation, with particular attention given to the Pauline epistles. The course will attempt to read and interpret these writings from the historical, literary, socio-rhetorical, and theological perspectives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  1. Students will understand better the New Testament writings from Acts through Revelation primarily in their historical and literary contexts.

  2. Students will be acquainted with the major interpretive and theological issues of each of these writings.

  3. Students will be able to appreciate the unity and diversity of the Christian gospel proclaimed by the New Testament writers at different occasions.

  4. Students will develop ability in seeing the relevance of what is said in these writings for themselves and their congregations.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The New Testament writings that are covered in this course are particularly significant for they not only witness the historical developments of early Christianity but also provide the theological foundations of Christian beliefs and practices. Therefore, one needs to understand these books in order to discern and teach what to believe and how to behave as a Christian--whether inside or outside church.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will consist of a mixture of lectures, multi-media presentations, and discussions about topics from the assigned reading. The class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:
Brown, R. E. Korean translation of An Introduction to the New Testament. Seoul: CLC, 2005.

Kim, S. Korean translation of Paul and the New Perspective. Seoul: Tyrannus, 2002.

_____. What is Gospel? [in Korean]. Seoul: Tyrannus, 2003.

Ladd, G. E. A Theology of the New Testament. (Korean translation of the 1993 revised English ed.) Seoul: Daehan Gidokkyo Sohoe, 2001, 2005.

Marshall, I. H., et al. Korean translation of Exploring the New Testament, Vol. 2: A Guide to the Letters and Revelation. Seoul: Bible Union, 2007.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Hawthorne, G. F. and R. P. Martin, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Lee, Pilchan. How to Read the Book of Revelation [in Korean]. Rev. ed. Seoul: Bible Union, 2003.

Meeks, W. A. Korean translation of The Social World of the Apostle Paul. Seoul: Jangrokyo Pub., 2002.

Scholer, D. M. A Basic Bibliographic Guide for New Testament Exegesis. 3rd ed. Incomplete and working draft as of March 2, 2007.

Wenham, D. and S. Walton. Korean translation of Exploring the New Testament, Vol. 1: A Guide to the Gospels and Acts, Seoul: Bible Union, 2007.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Journal on weekly reading assignments (20%). (2) Two 5- to 8-page papers, each dealing with major exegetical and theological issues in a passage chosen from a list that will be provided in class (40%). (3) Final examination (40%).

PREREQUISITES: Korean.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv Core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/08)