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 three-hour sessions for five weeks.
REQUIRED READING: