Winter 2006/Pasadena
NS526
Beaton
NS526: THE CHURCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. Richard Beaton.
DESCRIPTION: The course will focus upon the foundational issues that underlie
the nature, identity and function of the church in the New Testament. We will
begin with ideas of the ecclesia in early Judaism and trace the development
into the New Testament.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: After completing this course students
will know and better understand
- the key elements in a Jewish and Hellenistic conception of religious
gatherings and corporate identity;
- the historical development of the Christian community within its cultural
setting;
- the metaphors that give expression to early Christian identity;
- the nature, structure, function and expression of the church in the first
century.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Questions abound concerning the nature, identity and
function of the church. A sure grasp of the ideas concerning the church in the
New Testament period will assist in developing a framework from which to
evaluate and explore issues of ecclesiology that confront today's churches and
church leaders.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet once a week for a three-hour session.
REQUIRED READING:
- Burkert, Walter. Ancient Mystery Cults. Harvard, 1987
- Ferguson, Everett. The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for
Today. Eerdmans, 1997.
- Johnson, L. T. Religious Experience in Earliest Christianity.
Eerdmans, 1998.
- Lohfink, Gerhard. Jesus and Community: The Social Dimension of Christian
Faith. Fortress, 1984.
- WCC Faith and Order Statement: The Nature and Purpose of the Church (see
website http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/nature1.html).
- Essays on specific topics on reserve.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Braaten, Carl E. Mother Church: Ecclesiology and Ecumenism.
Fortress, 1998.
- Clark, Andrew. Serve the Community of the Church: Christians as Leaders
and Ministers. FCGRW. Eerdmans, 2000.
- Küng, Hans. The Church. Image Books, 1976.
- Martin, Ralph. Worship in the Early Church. Eerdmans, 1975.
- Meeks, W. A. The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle
Paul. Yale University Press, 1983.
- Moltmann, Jürgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit: A
Contribution to Messianic Ecclesiology. Harper & Row, 1977.
- Patzia, Art. The Emergence of the Church: Context, Growth, Leadership
& Worship. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
- Stackhouse, Max, et al. The Local Church in a Global Era: Reflections
for a New Century. Eerdmans, 2000.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Several short writing assignments.
- Two papers discussing a key passage or topic (1,200 words each).
- Final exam.
PREREQUISITES: NS500 & NS501, or NS502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament
Theology (NTT).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.