Fall 2006

FTX Houston

NS500

Parris

NS500: New Testament 1: Gospels. David P. Parris

DESCRIPTION:

This is the first course in the New Testament series [NS500/NS501] that examines the origins, historical and cultural background, theological contributions and distinctives, and intertextual relationships between the four gospels. Special attention will be given to those aspects of the text which are more difficult for the modern reader to understand and the hermeneutical challenges for communicating the message of these texts to others.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/COURSE GOALS:

By the end of this course the student should: (1) will have practiced redactional and narrative approaches to the Gospels, (2) be able to explain the formation and relationship of the gospels to each other, (3) be able to locate the various stories about Jesus in the gospels, and (4) be able to use the various resources for interpreting the various accounts in the gospels.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

A student satisfactorily completing this course should be better equipped to read, interpret, and teach from the Gospels.

COURSE FORMAT:

The course will meet as a four weekend intensive. (30 contact hours). The content of the course will consist of lectures and assigned readings.

REQUIRED READING:

Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: English Edition, United Bible Societies, 1987

Core, Deborah. The Seminary Student Writes. Chalice Press, 2000.

deSilva, David. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, methods and Ministry Formation. InterVarsity Press, 2004

Green, J. B. and S. McKnight. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels , Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1992. (selected portions)

Hooker, Morna. Beginnings: Keys That Open the Gospels. Harrisburg: Trinity Press Intl, 1998.

McKnight, Scott. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1988)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Blomberg, Craig. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. (ISBN 0805410589), Broadman and Holman, 1997.

Evans, Craig A. Jesus, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992)

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd ed., (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003)

Ladd, G. E. A Theology of the New Testament, rev. ed., (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993).

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Three 2-4 page assignments which enable students to interact with and apply course content to material in the Gospels. (15% each, 45% of total grade) Students should purchase a set of 6-8 erasable colored pencils for redaction studies.

2. A 10-page term paper on one of the miracles in the Gospels. (45%)

3. Class participation and discussion of required reading. (10%)

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

Meets the M. Div. core requirement in New Testament 1 (NT1); M.A.T.: core requirement in Biblical Studies area; M.A.C.L.: NT core requirement.

FINAL EXAM:

No.

(05/06)