Fall 2012/Texas

NS500

Chung

NS500: NEW TESTAMENT 1: GOSPELS & ACTS. Michael Chung.

DESCRIPTION: This course constitutes an introduction to the nature, structure, and message of the New Testament Gospels and the Book of Acts in their historical, literary, and canonical contexts.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The fourfold gospel together with the Book of Acts informs and forms Christian faith, life, ministry, and proclamation. Familiarity with its content and background provides a crucial foundation for interpretation, teaching, preaching, and pastoral ministry. This course will help to form that foundation for students.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated that they (1) can articulate the character of the Gospels and Acts as witnesses to Jesus Christ; (2) are familiar with the historical background, content, structure, and message of each of the Gospels and the Book of Acts; and (3) have skill in the interpretation of the Gospels and Acts as appropriate for effective leadership in Christian communities.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for 3.5 hours, 6:00-9:30pm. Students will be expected to keep their reading current and come to class prepared for discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Read New Testament Gospels and Acts in NRSV, TNIV, or CEB translation.

Marianne Meye Thompson. The God of the Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans 2001. ISBN: 9780802847348 Retail: $26. 279 pp.

Shillington, V. George. An Introduction to the Study of Luke-Acts (Continuum/ T&T Clark, 2007). ISBN: 0567030539. Retail: $34.95.

Bruce N Fisk. A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jesus, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011. ISBN: 9780801036064 Retail: $23. 287 pp.

Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson, Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Message. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 9780802837172. Retail: $40. 255 pp.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Joel B. Green and Scot McKnight, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992. ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-8308-1777-1. $48.00. 934 pp.

Kurt Aland, ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels, Greek-English, 10th edition, United Bible Societies, 1994. ASIN: B004QQRHO6. $44.00. 360 pp. (OR) Synopsis of the Four Gospels, English-only edition, United Bible Societies, 1982. ISBN: 978-3438054050. $44.00. 360 pp.

Howard Clark Kee. Understanding the New Testament. Madison NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1993. ISBN: 978-0-8010-3606-4. $110.00. 400 pp.

D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005 (2nd edition). ISBN: 9780310238591. $39.99. 784 pp.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Readings from course texts. (10%)

2. 4 papers, 6-8 pp. each, on selected passages at least one from: Synoptic Gospels, John, Acts, and one passage of your choice from Synoptics, John or Acts. (80%)

3. Book review of either Marianne Thompson or Bruce Fisk (10%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M.Div. core requirement in New Testament 1 (NT1); MAT and MACL: NT core requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.