Spring 2020/Fuller Online

NT500

Tedford

NT500: NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 163 hours). James S. Tedford.

DESCRIPTION: New Testament Introduction orients students to the literature of the New Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts, and to New Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course students will have demonstrated that they (1) have an introductory knowledge of the literature, history, and theology of the New Testament; (2) can identify a range of questions (e.g., historical, literary, canonical) that might be addressed to particular New Testament texts and can explore those questions in the process of interpreting particular New Testament texts; (3) are able to take into account the varied contexts of both the biblical materials and their contemporary interpreters; and (4) can read the New Testament in ways that foster faithful Christian practice.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will introduce students to content and interpretation of the NT in its historical and contemporary context, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” (MDiv, MAT, MATM).

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 916 pages required, plus reading the entire New Testament.

One of these translations of the New Testament: CEB, NRSV, or TNIV [25 hours].

Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Message. Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 978-0802837172, Pub. Price $48.00 [608 pp.].

González, Justo L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521, Pub. Price $19.99 [123 pp.].

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687023554, Pub. Price $28.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [185 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Yale University Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0300140163, Pub. Price $75.00.

Erickson, Richard J. A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Exegesis: Taking the Fear Out of Critical Method. InterVarsity, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830827718, Pub. Price $22.00.

Green, Joel B., and Lee Martin McDonald, eds. The World of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts. Baker, 2013. ISBN: 978-0801098611, Pub. Price $44.99.

Harrington, Daniel J. Interpreting the New Testament: A Practical Guide. Liturgical, 1990. ISBN: 978-0814651247, Pub. Price $19.95.

Powell, Mark Allan. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. Baker, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801028687, Pub. Price $44.99.

Witherington, Ben. Women and the Genesis of Christianity. Cambridge University Press, 1990. ISBN: 978-0521367356, Pub. Price $46.99.

Wright, N.T. The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is. InterVarsity, 1999. ISBN: 978-0830822003, Pub. Price $20.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Completion of assigned reading, including the entire New Testament in the CEB, NRSV, or TNIV translation. [80 hours, including 25 hours of reading the entire New Testament].
2. Contributions to ongoing, weekly discussion forums (500 words each) on New Testament texts, interpretive exercises, required readings from the textbooks, and lectures (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-3.] [30 hours posting].
3. Three journaling exercises (250-300 words each) on the significance of select New Testament texts and interpretive issues for personal faith and ministry (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2, 4.] [3-5 hours writing].
4. A book review on González, Santa Biblia (1,200-1,500 words, or 3-4 pages one-and-a-half spaced, 15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 3.] [7 hours reading; 6 hours writing]
5. Two interpretive assignments on assigned New Testament texts (1,250 words each, or about 2 pages single-spaced, first assignment 10%, second assignment 15% [signature assignment]). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 2.] [15 hours preparation and writing].
6. Final research paper on an assigned New Testament text (1,800 words, or 4-5 pages one-and-a-half spaced, 25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2-4.] [12 hours reading; 10 hours writing].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, 80 MATM, and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015) and the MATM, MAICS, and MACL Programs (Winter 2010).

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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.