Spring 2016/Pasadena

NS542

Thompson

NS542: GOD OF THE GOSPELS. (4 Units: 160 hours). Marianne Meye Thompson.

DESCRIPTION: This course uses the various petitions of the Lord’s Prayer to investigate the Biblical witness to God, taking into account both explicit and implicit designations, descriptions, and characteristics of God (e.g., God as Father; holy; forgiving; creator; providing and giving; protecting and delivering). While the course concentrates on the Gospels, it sets their study in the larger context of Scripture, considering the challenge and importance of a wholistic canonical witness to the character and mission of God in the world. The course also pays attention to some theological issues as these are raised by the biblical texts (e.g., the question of gender in God; God’s hiddenness, suffering, and providence).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed the requirements for this course, students will have demonstrated: (1) the ability to interpret biblical texts that bear witness to the identity and character of God; (2) critical engagement with a variety of interpretations of biblical passages; (3) the capacity for theological reflection on biblical texts that explicitly or implicitly bear witness to God.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING:

Articles on e-reserves by Asano, Bauckham, Billings, Fretheim, O’Brien, Rea, Suderman, Tanchanpongs, Wang, Weinandy, Wolterstorff, and others (361 pp).

Bible. Students may use the NRSV, TNIV, or CEB.

Hurtado, Larry. God in New Testament Theology. Abingdon Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0687465453, Pub. Price $22.99 [176 pp.].

Thompson, Marianne M. The Promise of the Father: Jesus and God in the New Testament. Westminster John Knox Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664221973, Pub. Price $30.00. [pp. 1-115].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Assigned reading (652 pages). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [40 hours].
  2. Two exegetical assignments on passages from the Gospels (40%). [These assignments are related to learning outcomes #1, 2]. [30 hours].
  3. Four written responses to assigned readings (20%). [These assignments are related to learning outcome #3]. [15 hours].
  4. A final paper on a passage from the NT combining exegetical analysis of and theological reflection on the text (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [35 hours].

PREREQUISITES: NS500 or NT500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.