Spring 2003/Pasadena
NS501
Beaton

NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ACTS-REVELATION. Richard Beaton.


DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to Acts through Revelation. In addition to traditional introductory issues (i.e., authorship, date, provenance, background, structure, and use of sources), the course will also explore the early Christian narrative and theologies of the various documents.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
Not only is an intimate acquaintance with the New Testament documents essential for Christian teaching and preaching, it also provides the foundation for discipleship, spirituality and creative theological thinking to meet the challenges of today's world.

COURSE FORMAT:
Class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Although the course will consist primarily of lectures, active participation by students is encouraged.

REQUIRED READING:
NRSV Bible: Acts-Revelation.

Achtemeier, P., J. Green and M. Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Eerdmans, 2001.

Ascough, R. S. What Are They Saying about the Formation of Pauline Churches? Paulist, 1998.

Horrell, D. An Introduction to the Study of Paul. Continuum, 2000.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Aune, D. E. The New Testament in Its Literary Environment. Westminster, 1987.

Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Eerdmans, 1997.

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 1993.

Hawthorne, Gerald F. and Ralph P. Martin, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Ladd, G. E. A Theology of the New Testament. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 1993.

Martin, Ralph P. and Daniel G. Reid. The Dictionary of the Later New Testament. InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Meeks, W. A. The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul. Yale University Press, 1983.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. A paper of 1200 words on the theology of 1 Peter.

  2. An outline of James.

  3. A paper of 3000 words on a topic relating to Paul and his letters.

PREREQUISITES:
None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2).

FINAL EXAMINATION
Yes.