Fall 2015/Fuller Online

NS500

Erickson

NS500: NEW TESTAMENT 1: GOSPELS (4 Units: 160 hours). Richard J. Erickson.

DESCRIPTION: This Internet-based course introduces the nature, structure, and message of the New Testament Gospels and Acts in their historical, literary, and canonical contexts. The course is a companion to (though independent of) NS501, which introduces Romans through Revelation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: A student successfully completing this course will be able (1) to demonstrate familiarity with the historical background, genre, content, structure, and message of the four NT Gospels and Acts; (2) to demonstrate skill in the interpretation of these writings as appropriate for effective leadership in various social and cultural contexts; and (3) to articulate the character of the NT Gospels and Acts as witnesses to the significance of Jesus Christ for the life and mission of his church.

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, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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: (c. 1,150 total pages)

All four canonical Gospels, including Luke-Acts, each in one sitting, using either the CEB, NRSV, or the TNIV [c. 200 pp.].

Approximately 100 pages of non-canonical Jewish texts (options outlined in online syllabus)

DeSilva, David A. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation. IVP: 2004. ISBN: 978-0830827466, Pub. Price: $50.00 [for Gospels and Acts: 430 pp.].

Douglas, Kelly B. The Black Christ. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1994. ISBN: 978-0883449394, Pub. Price: $20.00 [134 pp.].

Johnson, Luke Timothy. Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church: The Challenge of Luke-Acts to Contemporary Christians. Eerdmans, 2011. ISBN: 978-0802803900, Pub. Price: $23.00 [198 pp.].

Various written lectures and articles (posted online).

RECOMMENDED READING: List provided in the online syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Reading of all material assigned in weekly lessons (c. 1150 pages) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [80 hours].
2. Five 400-word maximum reading reports (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 3] [15 hours].
3. Seven threaded forum discussions (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3] [20 hours].
4. One Google-document-based, close-reading, group analysis of an assigned text from Luke-Acts (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [15 hours].
5. Two 1200-word maximum papers: (a) a thoughtful response to reading non-canonical primary texts; (b) a short interpretive reflection of a Gospel passage in light of the “three worlds of the text” (20% each; 40% total) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3] [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in New Testament 1 (NT1); meets MAT (2010) program requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.