Winter 2015/Pasadena

NE506

Downs

NE506: NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: 1 CORINTHIANS (4 Units: 160 Hours). David J. Downs.

DESCRIPTION: This course will offer a detailed study of the Greek text of 1 Corinthians, with particular attention given to the letter’s socio-historical setting, its theological argument, and its continuing significance for the Christian church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a thorough knowledge of the content and literary structure of the Greek text of 1 Corinthians, including familiarity with the apparatuses and tools required for the study of the Greek text; (2) an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which this epistle was composed; (3) an ability to offer exegesis of select passages from the letter in light of a range of interpretative questions and approaches; and (4) some reflection on the significance of 1 Corinthians for discipleship and ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,200 pages required.

1 Corinthians. An acceptable modern translation (CEB; NRSV; TNIV; etc.) and Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. American Bible Society, 2000 [UBS4]. ISBN: 978-3438051103, Pub. Price $43.99; OR Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 28th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012 [NA28]. ISBN 978-3438051400, Pub. Price $45.99. Also allowed is Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1998 [NA27] ISBN: 978-3438051004, Pub. Price $40.99.

Course reader.

Kovacs, Judith L. 1 Corinthians: Interpreted by Early Christian Commentators. The Church’s Bible. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802825773, Pub. Price $40.00 [370 pp.].

ONE of the following commentaries:

Ciampa, Roy E. and Brian S. Rosner. The First Letter to the Corinthians. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978-080283732, Pub. Price $65.00 [990 pp.]

Fee, Gordon. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Rev. ed. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans, 2014. ISBN: 978-0802825070, Pub. Price $65.00 [904 pp.].

Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802824493, Pub. Price $86.00 [1424 pp.].

See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Fitzmyer, Joseph A. First Corinthians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Yale University Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0300140446, Pub. Price $55.00 [688 pp.].

Gorman, Michael. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Hendrickson, 2001. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $21.99 [304 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Attendance and participation [30 hours].

2. 1,200 pp. of required reading [80 hours].

3. DLAs: Four short reading responses (750-1,000 words each) on assigned articles (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, and 4]. [12 hours].

4. Preparation of an assigned Greek text for most sessions (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [16 hours].

5. Two interpretive working papers (2,000 words each) dealing with issues of Greek grammar, syntax, exegesis, and theology (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [15 hours].

6. Take-home final exam (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, and 4]. [7 hours].

PREREQUISITES: (LG512 or LG512A/B) and (NE502 or BI500) and (NT500 or NS501).

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Biblical Language Text Exegesis requirement in the 120 MDiv program. Meets the NTE in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, take-home.