Fall 2004/Pasadena
NE506
Matson
NE506: NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: THE SPEECHES OF ACTS. David L. Matson.
DESCRIPTION:
- Speeches comprise nearly one-third of the material in Acts. This
course examines many of those speeches in the Greek text of Acts, giving
particular attention to their content, themes, christological perspective, and
rhetorical form. Most important is the way the speeches function in the wider
context of Acts to serve the author's theological and literary purposes,
showing how both "word" and "event" combine to advance the mission to the ends
of the earth.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Proclamation occupies center stage in the story world of Acts. As a
missional and literary strategy, speeches occur at crucial moments in the
narrative, interpreting events in the past and foreshadowing events to come.
The interplay between audience situation and rhetorical strategy is a constant
one in Acts and poses interesting questions for anyone interested in the
effective communication of the gospel today.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The format of the course will consist of both in-class Greek
translation and class lectures. The class will meet weekly for three-hour
sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Powell, Mark Allan. What Are They Saying about Acts? Paulist
Press, 1991.
- Witherington, Ben, III. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical
Commentary. Eerdmans, 1998.
- See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic
Advising office.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Bruce, F. F. The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with
Introduction and Commentary. Wipf and Stock, 2000.
- Dodd, C. H. The Apostolic Preaching and Its Developments. Baker,
1980 (reprint).
- Liefeld, Walter L. Interpreting the Book of Acts. Baker,
1995.
- Willimon, William H. Acts. John Knox, 1988.
- Soards, Marion L. The Speeches in Acts: Their Content, Context, and
Concerns. Westminster/John Knox, 1994.
- Martin, Ralph P. and Peter H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New
Testament and Its Developments. InterVarsity, 1997.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Regular translation of Greek text in written and/or oral form (25%).
- Individual speech summary and analysis (25%).
- A 10-12 page research paper on a major speech in Acts, utilizing all the
appropriate steps and tools of Greek translation and exegesis (25%).
- A final examination OR written expository sermon based exegetical paper
(25%).
PREREQUISITES:
- NS501 and NE502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Exegesis (NTE).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes.