Spring 2013/Fuller Online

NE567

Erickson

NE567: EPHESIANS (English text). Richard J. Erickson.

DESCRIPTION: An Internet-based, detailed study of the English text of the Letter to the Ephesians and of the way the letter “makes known the mystery of God’s will.” Primary attention is given to the text itself and its theological message for the Church.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Skill in handling text of the New Testament both as human word, rooted in its original setting, and as Holy Scripture, revealing the will of God, is essential for all Christians who are serious about their calling. In the process of analyzing God’s mysterious will in terms of redemption, adoption, and the call to Christian obedience, Ephesians also addresses themes of power and authority, personal character, the mystery of being in Christ, Christian unity among diverse groups, family relationships (including those between women and men), and “spiritual warfare.”

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing NE567 “Ephesians” will have demonstrated (1) knowledge and understanding of the Letter to the Ephesians; (2) ability to interpret Ephesians through critical community interaction, using historical, socio-cultural, literary and other methods; (3) and skill in reading the Bible theologically in view of diverse contexts.

COURSE FORMAT: Conducted online, the course aligns with Fuller’s academic calendar. It involves reading, writing, research, and regular interactive discussion with other students and the instructor.

REQUIRED READING:

The Epistle of Ephesians in various translations and at various levels of “closeness.”

Lectures posted online [50 pp.]

Fowl, Stephen E. Ephesians: A Commentary. Westminster/John Knox, 2012. ISBN: 978-0664221256, Pub.price $40.00 [280 pp.].

Gombis, Timothy G. The Drama of Ephesians: Participating in the Triumph of God. IVP, 2010. ISBN: 978-0830827206, Pub.price $20.00 [188 pp.].

Verhey, Allen, and Joseph S. Harvard. Ephesians. Westminster/John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664232665, Pub.price $35.00 [289 pp.].

Selected articles and chapters, including some from diverse cultural perspectives; listed in syllabus. [100 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: See syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Two “rapid” (single sitting) readings of the entire Book of Ephesians in two different versions, one being either the NRSV or the TNIV—both are acceptable. Describe in two maximum 500-word essays your observations based on these readings, and submit them in Weeks 1 and 9. (10%)

  2. Preparation of assigned passages and collateral readings. (20%)

  3. Weekly group discussion and interaction. (20%)

  4. Two 600-word maximum close readings of selected pericopes from Ephesians. (30%)

  5. A maximum 2000-word paper, being an exegetical analysis either (1) of a given self-coherent pericope from Ephesians, or (2) of a theological issuebased on the text of Ephesians. The paper must take into account the importance of diverse cultural perspectives for our reading and interpretation of the message of Ephesians. (20%)

PREREQUISITES: None, but NS501 (or even NS500) would be beneficial.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MA program requirement for New Testament book study (NTBK).


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.