Fall 2003/Pasadena
NS501
Matson
NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ACTS-REVELATION. David L. Matson.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is a general introduction to the "second half" of the
New Testament writings, covering the Acts of the Apostles through the Book of
Revelation. Due to his prominence both as a literary character in Acts and as
author of the Pauline corpus, Paul and the subsequent tradition inspired by him
will receive major attention in the course of this study, including historical
and methodological considerations that lie at the center of much current
debate. By way of comparison and contrast, attention will also be given to
strands of non-Pauline (mainly Jewish) Christianity that receive expression in
the New Testament documents.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- A working knowledge of the New Testament documents, including their
historical, literary, and theological contexts, is indispensable for the
conceptualization and practice of ministry. The large sweep of New Testament
material covered in this course will not only increase the student's competency
as a reader of New Testament texts but will acquaint him or her with a wide
assortment of ecclesiologies emerging from the New Testament period. As a
result, the student will gain greater appreciation for the ministry of the
church in a multiplicity of forms.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course is primarily lecture in format, with appropriate
emphasis on outside reading of primary and secondary source material. The class
will meet weekly for three hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Brown, Raymond E. The Churches the Apostles Left Behind.
Paulist Press, 1984.
- __________. An Introduction to the New Testament. Doubleday, 1997.
- Horrell, David. An Introduction to the Study of Paul. Continuum,
2000.
- Porter, Stanley E. Paul in Acts. Hendrickson, 2001.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Achtemeier, Paul J. The Quest for Unity in the New Testament
Church. Fortress, 1987.
- Beker, J. C. Heirs of Paul: Paul's Legacy in the New Testament
and in the Church Today. Fortress, 1991.
- Bruce, F. F. Peter, Stephen, James, and John: Studies in Non-Pauline
Christianity. Eerdmans, 1980.
- Hawthorne, G. F., R. P. Martin, and D. G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul
and His Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993.
- Martin, R. P. and P. H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New
Testament and Its Developments. InterVarsity Press, 1997.
- Witherington, Ben. The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of
Tarsus. InterVarsity Press, 1998.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- A midterm examination based on the content of the Pauline corpus. (30%)
- An 8-10 page paper comparing and contrasting the Paul of Acts with the Paul
of the Epistles. (25%)
- An original, detailed structural outline of the Letter of James. (15%)
- A final examination based on the content of Hebrews through Revelation.
(30%)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes.