Winter 2019/Fuller Online

NT500

Downs

NT500: NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION (4 Units: 162 hours). David J. Downs.

DESCRIPTION: New Testament Introduction 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 can explore those questions in the process of interpreting particular New Testament texts; (3) are able to take into account the varied contexts of both the biblical materials and their contemporary interpreters; and (4) 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: 952 pages required, plus reading the entire NT.

The entire NT in English (using the NRSV, TNIV, or CEB) [25 hours].

Achtemeier, P., J. B. Green, and M. Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 978-0802837172, Pub. Price $48.00 [608 pp.].

Blount, Brian K. Can I Get a Witness? Reading Revelation through African American Culture. Westminster John Knox, 2005. ISBN: 978-0664228699, Pub. Price $25.00 [117 pp.]. Available as an e-book in the Fuller Library.

Longenecker, B. W. The Lost Letters of Pergamum: A Story from the New Testament World. 2nd ed. Baker, 2016. ISBN: 978-0801097966, Pub. Price $19.99 [182 pp.]. Available as an e-book in the Fuller Library.

Course reader. [articles/chapters by Craig Allert, Dean Fleming, Donald Juel, Justo González,

Richard Hays, Peter Nyende, David Starling, Marianne Meye Thompson] [45 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

In preparation for each topic, logged reading of biblical text with Canvas posts (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1.] [45 hours total: 25 hours reading + 20 hours for 500-word weekly posts/replies].
In preparation for each topic, reading, viewing, or listening to secondary material and material posted by professor with Canvas posts (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4.] [83 hours total: 63 hours reading + 20 hours for 500-word weekly posts/replies].
Book Reviews [2 papers; 1,000 words each] (20 total%; 7% for the first, 13% for the second). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3.]. [10 hours].
Interpretive Assignment. Interpretative Working Papers [2 papers; 1,500 words each] (40% total; 15% for the first, 25% for the second). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4.]. [24 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core requirement in the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, 80 MATM, and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015) and the MATM, MAICS, and MACL Programs (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.