Spring 2019/Pasadena

NE527

Downs

NE527: NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: 1 CORINTHIANS (4 Units: 160 Hours). David J. Downs.

DESCRIPTION: This course will offer a detailed study of 1 Corinthians, with particular attention given to the letter’s socio-historical setting, theological confession, and ecclesiological vision.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpret 1 Corinthians within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of the letter; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of 1 Corinthians; (4) to use Greek based language tools for interpreting the text; and (5) to interpret the epistle for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

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. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library; 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. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library.

Course reader: Ayodeji Adewuya, Daniel Arichea Michael Barram, Brian Brock, Dustin Ellington, Beverly Gaventa, Richard Hays, Luke Timothy Johnson, William Loader, François Lumbala, Robert Moses, Jeremy Punt, Volker Rabens, Elsa Tamez, Max Turner, Kevin Vanhoozer, James Walters, Francis Watson.

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: 978-0802837325, 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: 978-0802871367, Pub. Price $65.00 [904 pp.].

Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802870919, Pub. Price $78.00 [1424 pp.].

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 $24.99 [304 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Attendance and participation [40 hours].
  2. 1,200 pp. of required reading [80 hours].
  3. Three short reading responses (750-1,000 words each) on assigned articles (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [6 hours].
  4. Preparation of an assigned Greek text for most sessions (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4]. [12 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, 4, and 5]. [15 hours].
  6. Take-home final exam (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, and 5]. [7 hours].

PREREQUISITES: (LG510 or LG512A/B or LG512) and (BI500 or NE502) and (NT500 or NS500 or NS501).

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, take-home.

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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.