Fall 2016/Fuller Online

NE517

Erickson

NE517: NEW TESTAMENT BOOK STUDY: ROMANS (4 Units: 160 hours). Richard J. Erickson.

DESCRIPTION: A detailed English-text-based examinationof Paul's epistle to Rome, one of the most studied documents in the New Testament. Attention is focused primarily on the argument, message, and theological significance of the book itself and secondarily on interpretive practices and certain aspects of Paul's ideas.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpret Romanswithin its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of Romans; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of Romans; and (4) to use English based language tools for interpreting the text; and (5) to interpret this text for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries.

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: (c. 980 total pages; see syllabus for Recommended Reading)

Two rapid readings of Romans, at least one in the CEB or NRSV, plus one more careful reading completed week to week. [c. 60 pp.]

Weekly PDF lectures, posted online (c. 125 pp.)

González, Justo. Out of Every Tribe and Nation: Christian Theology at the Ethnic Roundtable. Abingdon, 1992. ISBN: 978-0687298600. Pub. Price: $18.99. [132 pp.]

Johnson, Luke Timothy. Reading Romans: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Smyth & Helwys, 2013. ISBN: 978-1573122764. Pub. Price: $33.00. [260 pp.] (2001 edition available electronically through Fuller Library.)

Wright, N. T. "The Letter to the Romans: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections." In The New Interpreter's Bible, vol. 10, pp. 393-770. Abingdon, 2002. ISBN: 978-0687278237. Pub. Price: $75.99. [376 pp.] (Also available electronically through Fuller Library database “Ministry Matters.”)

Selected materials on reserve, by Martin Luther King, Jr., and Elsa Tamez. [30 pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Two “rapid” (single sitting) readings of the entire Book of Romans in two different versions, one being the NRSV, CEB, or the NIV-2011. Describe in two 500-word maximum essays your observations based on these readings, and submit them for Weeks 1 and 9, resp. [10%][This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3] [5 hours]

  2. C. 125 pp. of PDF lectures and short voice-over PPT “micro-lectures.” [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3] [10 hours].

  3. C. 785 pp. of required reading from Scripture, textbooks, and articles. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3] [65 hours].

  4. Reading compliance for assignments 2 and 3 measured in three 500-word maximum reading reports [15%]. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3] [6 hours]

  5. Participation in three small-group online wikis—each focused on an assigned text from Romans and demonstrating use of appropriate tools (dictionaries, concordances, software, etc.) [20%]. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [15 hours; all of which serves as a DLA].

  6. Participation in three small-group online forums focused on theological interpretations of assigned texts from Romans, as well as on assigned co-lateral readings. [15%][This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 5] [9 hours; all of which serves as a DLA].

  7. Two 500-word maximum solo “interpretive exercises” on specific, selected texts from Romans, showing results of using appropriate interpretive tools [20%]. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [20 hours].

  8. A 2500-word close-reading analysis of a selected text from Romans, incorporating original analysis of the text, consideration of scholarly discussion and of the effect of reading from location. [20%]. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and constitutes a “signature” assignment] [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502; NT500 or NS500 or NS501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the NTBK requirement for the MAT Program (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.