Summer 2014/Fuller Online

NT500

Tedford

NT500: NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). James S. Tedford.

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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of 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: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1255 pp.

One of these translations of the New Testament: CEB, NRSV, or TNIV [approx. 400 pp.].

Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Message. Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 978-0802837172, Pub. Price $44.00 [544 pp.].

González, Justo L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521, Pub. Price $18.99 [126 pp.].

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687023554, Pub. Price $25.99 [185 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Doubleday, 1997. ISBN: 978-0300140163, Pub. Price $39.00.

Erickson, Richard J. A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Exegesis: Taking the Fear Out of Critical Method. InterVarsity, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830827718, Pub. Price $16.00.

Harrington, Daniel J. Interpreting the New Testament: A Practical Guide. Liturgical, 1990. ISBN: 978-0814651247, Pub. Price $18.95.

Witherington, Ben. Women and the Genesis of Christianity. Cambridge University Press, 1990. ISBN: 978-0521367356, Pub. Price $43.00.

Wright, N.T. The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is. InterVarsity, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830822003, Pub. Price $16.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Completion of assigned reading, including the entire New Testament in the CEB, NRSV, or TNIV translation. [55 hours]
2. Contributions to ongoing, weekly discussion forums on NT texts, interpretive exercises, required readings from the textbooks, and lectures (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-2, 4.] [20-30 hours]
3. Five journaling exercises (250-300 words each) on the significance of select NT texts and interpretive issues for personal faith and ministry (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2, 5.] [5-7 hours]
4. A book review on González, Santa Biblia (1,200-1,500 words, or 3-4 pages one-and-a-half spaced, 15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 4.] [7 hours reading; 6 hours writing]
5. Two interpretive exercises on assigned texts (1,250 words each, or about 2 pages single-spaced, 20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 2.] [12 hours preparation and writing]
6. Final research paper on an assigned NT passage (1,800 words, or 4-5 pages one-and-a-half spaced, 25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2-5.] [9 hours reading; 7 hours writing]

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the core requirement in the 120 MDiv Program and the core requirement for MATM, MAICS, and MACL Programs (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.