DESCRIPTION:

This course is an exegetical study of the Acts of the Apostles. The aims of the course are 1) to illuminate the purposes and structure of the book; 2) to explicate its major themes (such as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the mission and message of the early church, the work of the Holy Spirit, the inclusion of the Gentiles in the people of God, and the life and organization of the church); and 3) to evaluate the historical and permanent value of Acts.

This account of the early church in Acts provides an inspiring guide for our ministry in the church today.

The course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lecture and discussion.

Dunn, James D. G., The Acts of the Apostles. Valley Forge: Trinity, 1996.

Marshall I. Howard and David Peterson, eds. Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Additional articles supplied in class.

Gill, David W. J. and Conrad Gempf, eds. The Book of Acts in its Graeco-Roman Setting. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Johnson, Luke T. The Acts of the Apostles. Sacra Pagina Series, vol. 5; Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., ed. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1992.

Longenecker, R. N. "The Acts of the Apostles," in The Expositor's Bible Commentary, F. E. Gaebelein, ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.

Marshall, I. Howard. The Acts of the Apostles. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.

Winter, Bruce W. and Andrew D. Clarke, eds. The Book of Acts in its Ancient Literary Setting. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.

Students will be required to read assigned sections from the texts in preparation for class sessions. Five 3-page (750 words) research papers on assigned topics will also be required.

None.

Elective.

Yes. Several essay questions.