DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the task of New Testament
exegesis. It provides the student not only exposure to and practice in the
various methods of interpreting the Greek New Testament, but also a familiarity
with the larger issues of the validity and usefulness of these methods. Special
emphasis is placed on weighing the various kinds of evidence to produce an
exegetical judgment, and awareness of the reference tools available to assist
in this task.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: After successfully completing this course
the student is expected to be able to deal with a passage of the New Testament
in the following ways: (1) understand the historical development of the text of
the New Testament and establish and evaluate the manuscript evidence of the
passage in question in dialogue with the Nestle-Aland decisions as well as the
opinions found in other secondary sources, (2) use various concordances and
lexicons to determine the meaning of key words as used by the author in
context, (3) use previously-acquired knowledge of Koine Greek grammar in
discussion with secondary sources to determine the meaning of groups of words,
(4) refer to atlases, histories, and other reference works to determine the
cultural and historical background of the text, and (5) be conscious of the
philosophical, literary, and other presuppositions which call for the
above-mentioned approach to Biblical texts, in comparison with competing
contemporary presuppositions.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The ability to exegete the Greek New Testament is one
of the most important tools for responsible preaching and teaching. There can
be no good theology without good exegesis.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will be a combination of lectures, in-class
demonstration of various exegetical methods, and discussion of exegetical
assignments. The class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING: