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: An understanding of these documents is foundational for developing a biblically informed theology that equips one for preaching and teaching, for thinking carefully and creatively about Christian faith in today's world, and for faithful Christian discipleship.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) familiarity with the historical background, genre, content, structure, and message of the writings from Romans through Revelation; (2) an appreciation for the implications of literary genre for one's reading of these texts; (3) an understanding of the impact of social location upon one's reading of these documents; (4) skill in the interpretation of these writings as appropriate for effective leadership in various contexts; and (5) ability to articulate the character of the NT letters and the Apocalypse of John as witnesses to the significance of Jesus Christ for the life and mission of his church.

COURSE FORMAT: Lectures and discussion of the assigned primary and secondary readings; student participation is expected. The class meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Romans through Revelation in an English Bible (NRSV, TNIV, or CEB).

Howard-Brook, Wes, and Anthony Gwyther. Unveiling Empire: Reading Revelation Then and Now. Orbis, 1999. ISBN 9781570752872. $29.

Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Writings of the New Testament. 3rd ed. Fortress, 2010. ISBN: 9780800663612. $46.

Polaski, Sandra Hack. A Feminist Introduction to Paul. Chalice, 2005. ISBN 9780827210370. $20.

Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN: 9780802844231. $45.

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd ed. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 9780802822215. $38.

Hawthorne, Gerald F., and Ralph P. Martin, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993. ISBN: 9780830817788. $60.

Martin, Ralph P., and Daniel G. Reid. The Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. InterVarsity Press, 1997. ISBN: 9780830817795. $60.

1. Reading of Romans through Revelation in the NRSV, TNIV, or CEB translations.

2. Weekly journal entries based on study questions in the textbook by Johnson, Writings of the New Testament (30% of final grade)

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

4. Two critical book reviews on Howard-Brook and Gwyther, Unveiling Empire, and Polaski, Feminist Introduction to Paul (4-5 pages) (40% of final grade)