DESCRIPTION:

This Internet-based course introduces the nature, structure, and message of the New Testament documents from Acts to Revelation in their historical, literary, and canonical contexts and considers their relevance to subsequent socio-cultural contexts. The course is a companion to (though independent of) NS500, which surveys the four Gospels.

The life of early Christianity, as reflected in the New Testament documents from Acts to Revelation, provides not only a record of the effect that Jesus Christ had on the first-century Mediterranean world, but also the authoritative basis for perpetual, thoughtful reassessment of the theology and practice of contemporary Christian faith.

A student successfully completing this course will be able to (1) demonstrate familiarity with the historical background, genre, content, structure, and message of the writings from Acts through Revelation; (2) demonstrate skill in the interpretation of these writings as appropriate for effective leadership in various contexts; and (3) articulate the character of the Acts of the Apostles, the NT letters, and the Apocalypse of John as witnesses to the significance of Jesus Christ for the life and mission of his church.

Conducted online, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves reading, writing, use of libraries and other resources, and interactive discussion. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the material through journaling, threaded discussions, and web-based research.

Careful reading of all twenty-three New Testament documents, Acts through Revelation, in either the TNIV or the NRSV. [c. 200 pp.]

Achtemeier, P. J., J. B. Green, and M. M. Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Eerdmans, 2001, pp. 1-51, 245-608. [415 pp.]

González, J. L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Abingdon, 1996. [124 pp.]

Wright, N. T. Paul: In Fresh Perspective. Fortress, 2005 [Paperback 2009]. [192 pp.]

Various written lectures and articles (mostly online).

1. Reading of all material assigned in weekly lessons; subject to four bi-weekly quizzes (15%)

2. Short weekly exercises and threaded discussion, based on and designed to aid comprehension of assigned reading (20%)

3. Weekly journaling and web research (15%)

4. Three short research papers (1200 words each, maximum) due in Weeks 3, 7, and 10 (50%)