DESCRIPTION:

This course is an opportunity for qualified and selected masters level students to participate in a Center for Advanced Theological Studies graduate seminar [NT801]. The seminar focuses on the methods, the bibliographic resources, and the cultural/historical contexts for advanced research in the New Testament; matters of writing, developing a thesis, constructing an argument, citation of sources, and footnotes also receive attention. The interface between the New Testament as an authoritative text for the Church and the reality of its various contingent historical settings is also considered.

This course is essential for the vocational ministry of those called to a life of scholarship and teaching in the field of New Testament studies. This seminar contributes to one's deepening knowledge of the field, to one's awareness of research methodologies and resources, and to one's reflection on major issues of critical study within the context of Christian faith and commitment.

This course is a small doctoral level seminar. It is comprised of lectures, vigorous discussion, student oral and written presentations, and intra-seminar critique of one another's work.

Danker, F. W. Multipurpose Tools for Bible Study. Rev. and expanded ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993.

Epp, E. J. and G. W. MacRae. The New Testament and Its Modern Interpreters. (SBL The Bible and Its Modern Interpreters.) Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1989.

Evans, C. A. Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1992.

Harrisville, R. A. and W. Sundberg. The Bible in Modern Culture: Theology and Historical-Critical Method from Spinoza to Käsemann. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1995.

Haynes, S. R. and S. L. McKenzie. To Each Its Own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical Criticism and Their Applications. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1993.

Scholer, D. M. A Basic Bibliographic Guide for New Testament Exegesis. 3rd ed. Incomplete and working draft (December 1996). Available from the FTS Bookstore.

Turabian, K. L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed. Rev. J. Grossman and A. Bennett. (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing.) Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1996.

Masters level students negotiate with the professor their assignment load from the following doctoral level requirements:

1. The reading and use of all texts.

2. Four-eight oral reports on various aspects of the seminar's work.

3. Four-eight brief written reports on various aspects of the seminar's work.

4. A brief paper (five pages) on the nature of the New Testament as an authoritative text for the church in relationship to the reality of the multiple contingent historical settings of the New Testament texts.

5. A major paper (35 pages) on the relationship between both the Greco-Roman and the Jewish contexts of the New Testament and the content and theology of the New Testament.

NE502, NS500, NS501, either an NTE or NTT course, and permission of the professor.