Summer 2014/Fuller Online

NS500

Winn

NS500: NEW TESTAMENT 1: GOSPELS AND ACTS (4 Units: 120 hours). Adam Winn.

DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to the four canonical Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles in their historical, literary, and canonical context. In addition to addressing the authorship, date, structure, purpose, and themes of these books, the course will also address the theological contributions these books make to the Christian faith.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated (1) familiarity with the historical background, content, structure, and message of the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles; (2) developing skill in the interpretation of these writings as appropriate for effective leadership in various contexts; and (3) the ability to articulate the character of the New Testament Gospels’ and the Acts of the Apostles’ witness to the significance of Jesus Christ for the life and mission of the church.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. 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:

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible: Gospels and Acts.

Adams, Edward. Parallel Lives of Jesus: A Guide to the Four Gospels. WJK, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664233310, Pub. Price $25.00 [212 pp.].

Barton, Stephen C., ed. The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels. Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0521002615, Pub. Price $34.99 [314 pp.].

Shillington, V. George. Introduction to the Study of Acts. T & T Clark, 2007. ISBN: 978-0567030535, Pub. Price $39.95 [168 pp.].

Theissen, Gerd. The Shadow of the Galilean: The Quest for the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form. 2d ed. Fortress, 2007. ISBN: 978-0800639006, Pub. Price $23.00 [232 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Achtemeier, P., J. Green, and M. Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 978-0802837172, Pub. Price $44.00.

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd ed. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-0802822215, Pub. Price $40.00.

Green, Joel B., Scot McKnight, and I. H. Marshall. The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. InterVarsity Press, 1992. ISBN: 978-0830817771, Pub. Price $60.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: 100-120 hours of structured time

1. Active participation in course discussion forums in which students interact with course lectures and course readings—addresses learning outcomes 1 and 3 (20%).

2. Listening to/Reading course lecture notes—addresses learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3

3. Weekly reading assignments—addresses learning outcome 1 and 2

4. A 3000-word research paper on an assigned topic related to the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, or the book of Acts—addresses learning outcomes 1 and 2 (40%).

5. Mid-Term and Final Exam (both objective)—addresses learning outcomes 1 and 3 (40%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 1 (NT1); meets MAT (2010) program requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.