DESCRIPTION: This course is an examination of theological perspectives on wealth, poverty, and justice in a variety of biblical traditions, with a special focus on the New Testament witness. In addition to considering the literary, socio-economic, and theological contexts of Scripture's discussions of wealth and poverty, this course will also address questions concerning the responsible stewardship of wealth and possessions in an age of consumerism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated the ability (1) to work with the New Testament materials in a synthetic way that takes seriously the particularity of these materials and the potential of a coordinated New Testament witness to issues of wealth, poverty, and possessions; (2) to articulate potential resolutions to key challenges facing the task of New Testament theology and ethics; (3) to demonstrate the relationship between exegesis of New Testament texts and New Testament theology; and (4) to engage critically issues related to the church's care for the poor and powerless in their diverse contexts.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Responsible stewardship of wealth and possessions and consideration of the church's ministry to the poor and powerless represent crucial issues confronting followers of Jesus both ancient and modern. Careful reflection on these issues, therefore, is critical for teaching and preaching that is faithful to the Bible's witness.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for three-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

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

Johnson, Luke Timothy. Sharing Possessions: What Faith Demands. 2d. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011. 9780802803993. $19.00.

Longenecker, Bruce, and Kelly Liebengood, eds. Engaging Economics: New Testament Scenarios and Early Christian Reception. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. 9780802864147. $32.

West, Gerald O. The Academy of the Poor: Towards a Dialogical Reading of the Bible. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998. 1850757585. $15.

Wheeler, Sondra Ely. Wealth as Peril and Obligation: The New Testament on Possessions. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. 080280733X. $20.

Course reader.

Blomberg, Craig L. Neither Poverty nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Possessions. New Studies in Biblical Theology 7. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1999. 0830826076. $25.

Gonzalez, Justo L. Faith and Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money. San Francisco: Harper & Row; repr. ed., Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2002. 9781579109356. $25.

Holman, Susan, ed. Wealth and Poverty in Early Church and Society. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. 9780801035494. $35.

Nardoni, Enrique. Rise Up, O Judge: A Study of Justice in the Biblical World. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2004. 9780801047282. $35.

Stegemann, Ekkehard W., and Wolfgang Stegemann. The Jesus Movement: A Social History of Its First Century. Translated by O. C. Dean Jr. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999. 0800634257. $29.