Spring 2013/Pasadena

NT500

Green

NT500: NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (School of Psychology students only). Joel B. Green.

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: Those who desire that a biblical perspective inform their lives and ministries must not only familiarize themselves with the content of the New Testament text, but also become aware of the importance of method and approach for their 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 to 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 divided between lectures on content and method, and hands-on work with texts in breakout groups. Significant 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 two-hour sessions for ten weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Message. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 978-0802837172. Pub.price $40.00 [544 pp.].

González, Justo L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521, Pub.price $18.00 [126 pp.].

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687023554, Pub.price $25.00 [185 pp.].

One of these translations of the New Testament: CEB, NRSV, or TNIV.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Completion of assigned reading, including the entire New Testament in the CEB, NRSV, or TNIV translation.

  2. Three interpretive exercises on selected passages (2 pages each) (30%).

  3. A critical review of either González, Santa Biblia; or Green, Seized by Truth (4-5 pages) (25%).

  4. Research essay on an assigned NT text (ca. 10 pages) (45%).

PREREQUISITES: School of Psychology students only.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets NT Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL (effective Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.