Winter 2011/Pasadena
NT500
Young

NT500: NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION. Stephen E. Young.


DESCRIPTION: New Testament Introduction orients students to the literature of the New Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to New Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Anyone who desires that a biblical perspective inform their life and work must not only familiarize themselves with the content of the New Testament text, but also become aware of the impact of method and approach upon one's reading of the New Testament.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated that they (1) have an introductory knowledge of the literature, history, and theology of the New Testament; (2) can identify a range of questions (e.g., historical, literary, canonical) that might be addressed to particular New Testament texts and explore those questions in the process of interpreting particular New Testament texts; (3) can identify significant, critical resources for New Testament study and deploy those sources critically in New Testament study; (4) are able to take into account the varied contexts of both the biblical materials and their contemporary interpreters; and (5) can read the New Testament in ways that foster faithful Christian practice.

COURSE FORMAT: Class time will be (roughly) equally divided between lectures on content and method, and hands-on application and group discussion. A high degree of student participation is expected; students will be responsible for preparing assigned passages of the New Testament to discuss in class. Class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

DeSilva, David A. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004. ISBN: 9780830827466. Retail $50.

González, J. L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 9780687014521. Retail $18.

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 9780687023554. Retail $25.

Either the NRSV or the TNIV translation of the New Testament.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  1. Completion of assigned reading, including the entire New Testament in either the NRSV or TNIV translations.

  2. Three interpretive exercises on assigned texts (2 pages each) (30% of final grade).

  3. A critical review of either González, Santa Biblia or Green, Seized by Truth (4-5 pages) (30% of final grade)

  4. Research paper on an assigned NT passage; 8-10 pages (40% of final grade).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL (effective Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (October 2010)