Spring 2020/Pasadena

NS542

Thompson

NS542: GOD OF THE GOSPELS. (4 Units: 160 hours). Marianne Meye Thompson.

DESCRIPTION: This course uses the various petitions of the Lord’s Prayer to investigate the Biblical witness to God, taking into account both explicit and implicit designations, descriptions, and characteristics of God (e.g., God as Father; holy; forgiving; creator; providing and giving; protecting and delivering). While the course concentrates on the Gospels, it sets their study in the larger context of Scripture, considering the challenge and importance of a wholistic canonical witness to the character and mission of God in the world. The course also pays attention to some theological issues as these are raised by the biblical texts (e.g., the question of gender in God; God’s hiddenness, suffering, and providence).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed the requirements for this course, students will have demonstrated: (1) the ability to interpret biblical texts that bear witness to the identity and character of God; (2) critical engagement with a variety of interpretations of biblical passages; (3) the capacity for theological reflection on biblical texts that explicitly or implicitly bear witness to God.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through focused study of a particular biblical book or topic, students acquire deeper mastery of the interpretation of the Bible, taking into account its ancient and contemporary contexts, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries”(MDiv, MAT, MATM).

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING:

Articles on e-reserves by Asano, Bauckham, Billings, Cone, Fretheim, Rutledge, Laytham, O’Brien, Rea, Wang, Weinandy, Wolterstorff, and others (361 pp).

Bible. Students may use the NRSV, TNIV, or CEB.

Gutierrez, Gustavo. The God of Life. Orbis Books, 1991. ISBN: 978-088344-760-4, Pub. Price $28.00 [189 pp.]

Hurtado, Larry. God in New Testament Theology. Abingdon Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0687465453, Pub. Price $23.99 [176 pp.].

Thompson, Marianne M. The Promise of the Father: Jesus and God in the New Testament. Westminster John Knox Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0664221973, Pub. Price $30.00. [pp. 1-115].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Assigned reading (652 pages). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4]. [40 hours].
2. Three interpretive essays on passages from the Gospels (45%). [These assignments are related to learning outcomes #1, 2]. [40 hours].
3. Three written responses to assigned readings (15%). [These assignments are related to learning outcome #3]. [15 hours].
4. A final paper on a passage from the NT combining exegetical analysis of and theological reflection on the text (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [35 hours].

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

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Biblical Studies Elective. Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.