Fall 2006/Pasadena
NS561
Scholer
NS561: WOMEN, THE BIBLE, AND THE CHURCH. David M. Scholer.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed (1) to undertake a study of the Old and
New Testament texts and their cultural environments which bear on the roles and
status of women in biblical history and, in particular, in the early church;
(2) to reflect on a wide range of hermeneutical, historical and theological
perspectives relevant to the issues of women and ministry; and (3) to formulate
significant exegetical and hermeneutical implications and conclusions for the
role and status of women in ministry and the church today.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course, through the lectures,
discussions and assignments, should enable students to (1) better know and
understand the New Testament texts about women and ministry; (2) better
understand the historical and cultural situations in which these texts were
written; (3) develop ability in interpreting these texts and the hermeneutical
issues and debates they have raised; (4) see more clearly the nature of these
texts as both human word and holy Scripture; (5) appreciate new ways of and
have more enthusiasm for reading these texts; and (6) move towards a deeper
obedience to Scripture in their lives.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Fuller Seminary is committed to equality for women and
men in all of its programs of preparing women and men for all forms of
ministry. Yet, the issues involved in this commitment and its implications
continue to be widely discussed and debated throughout the Church. This course
provides a responsible biblical and hermeneutical basis for engaging these
issues.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will consist of lectures and vigorous discussion.
The course will meet twice weekly for two hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Belleville, L. L. Women Leaders and the Church: 3 Crucial
Questions. (3 Crucial Questions.) Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000.
- Clark, E. A. Women in the Early Church. (Message of the Fathers of
the Church 13.) Wilmington: Michael Glazier, 1983 [distributed by the
Liturgical Press].
- Doriani, D. Women and Ministry: What the Bible Teaches. Wheaton:
Crossway Books, 2003.
- Mickelsen, A. Women, Authority & the Bible. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1986.
- Miller, P. C. Women in Early Christianity: Translations from Greek
Texts. Washington, DC: Catholic University of America Press, 2005.
- Osiek, C. Beyond Anger: On Being a Feminist in the Church. New
York/Mahwah: Paulist, 1986.
- Pierce, R. W. and R. M. Groothuis. Discovering Biblical Equality:
Complimentarity without Hierarchy. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press,
2004.
- Scholer, D. M. Selected Articles on Hermeneutics and Women and Ministry
in the New Testament. Pasadena: Fuller Seminary Bookstore, Fifteenth
Printing, 2005.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Beck, J. R. and Blomberg, C. L. Two Views on Women in
Ministry. (Counterpoints.) Zondervan, 2001.
- Groothuis, R. M. Good News for Women: A Biblical Picture of Gender
Equality. Baker, 1997.
- Kraemer, R. S. and M. R. D'Angelo. Women & Christian Origins.
Oxford University Press, 1999.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Three brief critical papers [4-6 pages each]: one on Osiek
[10%; due Oct. 4]; one on Clark and Miller [20%; due Oct. 25]; and
one on Belleville and Doriani [20%; due Nov. 15]. (2) A major position paper
[15-20 pages; this should clearly reflect the use of all required readings and
class lectures] on the role and status of women in the New Testament and in the
Church today [50%; due Dec. 6].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: MDiv elective. Meets the Interdisciplinary
requirement (IDPL).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.