Summer 2015/Online

NT500

McKeever

NT500: NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 160 hours). 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.

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: 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: 1,255 pages required.

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 $46.00 [545 pp.].

González, J. L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521, Pub. Price $18.99 [125 pp.].

Green, Joel B. Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 978-0687023554, Pub. Price $25.99 [185 pp.].

One of the following translations of the New Testament: NRSV, TNIV, or CEB [approx. 400pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Reading the New Testament and assigned Textbooks (1,255 pages required). [80 hours].

  2. Contributions to ongoing, weekly discussion forums on NT passages, required readings from textbooks, PowerPoint, and audio introductions (30%). [These assignments are related to learning outcomes # 1-3.] [30 hours reading, posting, and responding].

  3. Two Interpretive Assignments on assigned NT passages, 1,350 words each, or about 2 pages single-spaced (2 x 10% each for 20% total). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 2.] [15 hours preparation and writing].

  4. A Critical Book Review on González, Santa Biblia. 1,200-1,500 words, or approx. 3 pages, one-and-a-half spaced (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 3.] [8 hours reading; 7 hours writing].

  5. FINAL Research Paper on an assigned NT passage. 2500-3500 words, 7-9 pages, one-and-a-half spaced (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2-4.] [10 hours reading; 10 hours writing].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the core requirement in the 120 MDiv Program and the core requirement for 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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.