Summer 2020/Fuller Online

NE517

Givens

NE517: NEW TESTAMENT BOOK STUDY: ROMANS (4 Units: 160 hours). Tommy Givens.

DESCRIPTION: A close reading of selected passages of the Letter to the Romans in various English translations, with lecture and discussion on the broad themes and crucial turns of the letter’s argument, the social setting of the letter, and the theological concerns that occasion and characterize the letter.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpret Romans within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of Romans, including “the parting of the ways” and current political readings of Romans; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of Romans; (4) to use English based language tools for interpreting the text; and (5) to interpret Romans for faithful use in their own lives and ministries.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through focused study of a particular biblical book or topic, students acquire deeper mastery of the interpretation of the Bible, taking into account its ancient and contemporary contexts, 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: approximately 850 total pages required

The Bible in the NRSV, CEB, or TNIV translation

Choose ONE of the following: Witherington, Ben. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical

Commentary. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-0802845047, Pub. Price $44.00 [459 pp.] OR Keck, Leander. Romans. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687057054, Pub. Price $27.99 [400 pp.], available as e-book through the Fuller Library.

Choose ONE of the following: Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Romans. 6th ed. Oxford, 1968. ISBN: 978-0195002942, Pub. Price $19.95 [576 pp.]. OR Grieb, A. Katherine. The Story of Romans: A Narrative Defense of God’s Righteousness. Westminster John Knox Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0664225254, Pub. Price $24.00 [192 pp.], available as e-book through the Fuller Library; OR Johnson, Luke Timothy. Reading Romans: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Smyth & Helwys, 2013. ISBN: 978-1573122764, Pub. Price $33.00 [260 pp.], available as e-book through the Fuller Library.

Course Packet: Includes essays by Agamben, Arichea, Cimpean, Draper, Elliot, Escarfuller, Khiok-khng, Kirk, Nanos, Stendahl, Stowers, Stubbs, Tamez, Thimmes [460 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Nanos, Mark. The Mystery of Romans. Fortress, 1996. ISBN: 978-0800629373, Pub. Price $33.00.

Stowers, Stanley. A Rereading of Romans: Justice, Jews, and Gentiles. Yale, 1997. ISBN: 978-0300070682, Pub. Price $39.00.

ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT:

1. In preparation for each topic, studying biblical text and reading, viewing, or listening to material posted by professor with responses on Canvas (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #3, #4, #5] [54 hours total: 32 hours of studying, reading, viewing, and listening + 22 hours for 400-word weekly posts/replies].
2. In preparation for each topic, reading of secondary material with responses on Canvas (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3, #5] [72 hours total: 52 hours reading + 20 hours for 400-word weekly posts/replies].
3. One interpretive working paper on one passage in Matthew (1,500 words) (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3, #4, #5] [10 hours].
4. One final interpretive paper (3,000 words) arguing for a coherent reading of a single passage in Matthew (35%). [This signature assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3, #4, #5] [24 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502; NT500 or NS500 or NS501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the NTBK requirement for the MAT Program (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.