Winter 2012/Pasadena
NE502
M. Thompson

NE502: EXEGETICAL METHOD AND PRACTICE. Marianne Meye Thompson.


DESCRIPTION: This course introduces basic interpretive principles and practices for students of the Greek New Testament. Students will discuss exegetical aims and assumptions, become familiar with major resources for study of the New Testament, and practice a range of interpretive methods.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Central to Christian discipleship and the various forms of Christian ministry is serious and faithful engagement with the biblical texts read as Christian Scripture. This course focuses on the development of competence among readers of the New Testament for this essential task.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having completed this course, students will have demonstrated

  1. skills in the exegesis of various New Testament texts at a level appropriate for effective leadership in Christian communities.

  2. use of critical tools and resources for interpreting biblical texts;

  3. the capacity to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of a range of approaches in New Testament interpretation.

COURSE FORMAT: Because this course seeks to provide instruction and practice in doing exegesis, extensive student preparation and participation is expected. The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lectures and regular discussion.

REQUIRED READING:
Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN 978-0802864208. $28.00

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: The Bible as Christian Scripture. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007. ISBN 978-0687023554. $25.00

Either Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. United Bible Societies, 1993 [UBS4] (ISBN 9783438051103, $43.99); or Nestle, E. & K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1993 [NA27] (ISBN 9783438051004, $40.99).
Some of the following resources will be required for assignments throughout the quarter.
Danker, F. W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3d ed. Based on Walter Bauer. . . . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000 [BDAG].

Wallace, D. B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.
For further resources, see the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  1. Completion of assigned reading for class discussion.

  2. Regular study of various biblical passages, with short written assignments; 33% of the grade

  3. Three interpretative assignments focusing on the various components of exegesis; 66% of the grade.

PREREQUISITES: LG512.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in "Hermeneutics" (HERM).

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (October 2011)