Summer 2004/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 6-16
NS501
J. Drane
NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ACTS-REVELATION. John W. Drane.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is a general introduction to the New Testament texts
from Acts through Revelation with major emphasis given to the letters of Paul
and Pauline studies. Attention is given to the first century contexts (Judaism;
Greco-Roman society; early church) of these documents, to the methodological
issues of interpretation, and to the use of these texts in the church
today.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- These New Testament documents are a central component of Christian
scripture, and offer indispensable insights into the church's core beliefs as
well as illuminating the early history and development of church life. As well
as considering historical and literary matters related to Christian origins,
the course will also include selected issues related to contextualizing the New
Testament's message for contemporary society, with a view to inspiring and
informing relevant Christian thought and action.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course will meet daily for two weeks for four-hour sessions.
Class meetings will utilize a variety of different formats, including
plenaries, small group discussion, role play, and lectures. Interaction between
class members will be a fundamental part of the learning process.
REQUIRED READING:
- Ascough, R. S. What Are They Saying About the Formation of
Pauline Churches? Paulist, 1998.
- Drane, John. Introducing the New Testament. 3rd ed. Fortress, 2001
(pages 237-474).
- Ferguson, E. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd ed. Eerdmans,
2003.
- Horrell, D. An Introduction to the Study of Paul. Continuum,
2000.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Banks, R. Paul's Idea of Community. 2d ed. Peabody:
Hendrickson, 1994.
- Cousar, C. B. The Letters of Paul. Abingdon Press, 1996.
- Hawthorne, Gerald F, and Ralph P Martin, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His
Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993.
- Martin, Ralph P. and Peter H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New
Testament and Its Developments. InterVarsity Press, 1997.
- Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Eerdmans,
1998.
- Murphy-O'Connor, Jerome. Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options,
His Skills. Liturgical Press, 1995.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Students will be expected to participate fully in all activities in class
meetings.
Students who miss more than three class meetings will not receive
a passing grade.
- Written work consists of (a) a personal course journal following approved
guidelines (50% of grade); (b) a paper of 12-15 pages on a subject to be
proposed by the student and given advance approval in writing by the professor
or teaching assistant (50%).
Both pieces must be submitted to gain a grade.
All written work is due September 13.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M.Div. core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.