Fall 2011/Pasadena
NS501
Givens
NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ROMANS-REVELATION. Tommy Givens.
DESCRIPTION: This course constitutes an introduction to the nature, structure,
and message of the New Testament letters and the Apocalypse of John in their
historical, literary, and canonical contexts.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Not only is an intimate acquaintance with
the New Testament documents essential for Christian teaching and preaching, it
also provides the foundation for discipleship, spirituality, and creative
theological thinking to meet the challenges of today's world.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will
have demonstrated (1) familiarity with the historical background, content,
structure, and message of the writings from Romans through Revelation; (2)
skill in the interpretation of these writings as appropriate for effective
leadership in various contexts; and (3) introductory understanding of the
character of the NT letters and the Apocalypse of John as witnesses to Jesus
Christ for the life and mission of his church.
COURSE FORMAT: The course, which consists of lectures and discussion, will
meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible: Romans-Revelation.
- Achtemeier, P., J. Green, and M. Meye Thompson. Introducing the New
Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 0802837174.
$40.
- Blount, Brian K. Can I Get a Witness? Reading Revelation through African
American Culture Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2004. ISBN: 0664228690.
$25.00.
- Gorman, Michael. Apostle of the Crucified Lord. Eerdmans, 2004.
ISBN: 0802839347. $40.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd
ed. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 0802822215. $38.
- Hays, Richard. The Conversion of the Imagination: Paul as Interpreter of
Israel's Scripture. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 9780802812629. $22.
- Martin, Ralph P., and Daniel G. Reid. The Dictionary of the Later New
Testament. InterVarsity Press, 1997. ISBN: 0830817794. $60.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Participation in online discussion groups and study questions (20%).
- Two short papers on assigned NT passages (ca. 2,000 words each; 40%).
- One book review (ca. 1500 words; 10%).
- Final, comprehensive exam (30%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 2
(NT2); meets MAT (2010) program requirement.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2011)