Summer 2013/Online

NT500

McKeever

NT500: NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION. Michael C. McKeever.

DESCRIPTION: This online course 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.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Those who desire that a biblical perspective inform their life and work must not only familiarize themselves with the content of the New Testament text, but also become aware of the impact of method and approach upon one’s reading of the New Testament.

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 explore those questions in the process of interpreting particular New Testament texts; (3) can identify significant, critical resources for New Testament study and deploy those sources critically in New Testament study; (4) are able to take into account the varied contexts of both the biblical materials and their contemporary interpreters; and (5) can read the New Testament in ways that foster faithful Christian practice.

COURSE FORMAT: Conducted online, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves reading, writing, use of libraries and other resources, and interactive discussion. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the material and with each other through threaded discussion forums.

REQUIRED READING:

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 $44.00 [544 pp.].

González, J. L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 9780687014521, Pub. Price $18.00 [124 pp.].

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687023554, Pub. Price $25.00 [185 pp.].

One of the following translations of the New Testament: NRSV, TNIV, or CEB.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: 100-120 hours total structured time.

  1. Contributions to ongoing, weekly discussion forums on NT texts, interpretive exercises, required readings from the textbooks, and lectures (30%).

  2. Two Interpretive Assignments on assigned texts, 1,350 words each, or about 2 pages single-spaced (2 x 10% each for 20% total).

  3. A Critical Book Review on González, Santa Biblia. 1,200-1,500 words, or 3-4 pages one-and-a-half spaced (20%).

  4. Final Research Paper on an assigned NT passage. 2500-3500 words, one-and-a-half spaced (30%)

PREREQUISITES: Not for MDiv and MAT students.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS,

MAFS, MACL (effective 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.