Summer 2007/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 30-August 10
NS521
Burridge

NS521: NEW TESTAMENT ETHICS. Richard A. Burridge.


DESCRIPTION: This course begins with the biographical genre of the Gospels (increasingly accepted in NT scholarship) and builds upon the fact that one purpose of ancient biography was for the readers to imitate the subject's words and deeds, particularly from a moral point of view. Many approaches to NT ethics look only at Jesus' and Paul's moral teaching and ignore this narrative biographical dimension of following and imitating Jesus himself. Yet Paul tells us "be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). The course will look at the ethical material in the Gospels and Paul's letters from this perspective of imitating Jesus in both his rigorous ethical teaching and his gracious welcome to sinners. It will also study the use of the Bible both to justify racism in South Africa under apartheid and to critique it in the struggle for freedom as a test case for this methodology for New Testament ethics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course, students should (1) know the ethical material contained in the Gospels and epistles; (2) understand this material in the context of their literary character; (3) develop the skills to interpret and apply such material to contemporary ethical issues; (4) seek to imitate Jesus in both his words and deeds within a community of disciples.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Many Christian communities are deeply divided over the use of the New Testament in ethical decision making, with some groups claiming to be "biblical" and others wanting to be "inclusive." This course will examine this dichotomy and will seek to provide a model for being biblical within an inclusive community which seeks to imitate the words and deeds of Jesus.

COURSE FORMAT: Meeting daily for two weeks for four-hour sessions centered around lectures on the historical Jesus, Paul and the Gospels, and a methodology for interpreting the Bible in the Christian community today. Preparatory reading for each session and participation in class discussion is expected.

REQUIRED READING:

Burridge Richard A. Four Gospels, One Jesus? 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2005.

________. What are the Gospels? 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2004.

Hays, Richard B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament. HarperCollins/T & T Clark, 1996.

RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended reading will be available with the textbooks in the bookstore and will be provided in the course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Reading (1,000-1,500 pp. = 40-60 hrs); all students should readsome sections of Hays, Moral Vision (from pp. 1-200) before commencing the course, with the rest of the reading from different authors to contribute to the book review and mid-course paper. An annotated, signed reading log is to be submitted with the final paper. (2) Book review (4 pp.): Compare and contrast Hays' approach to NT ethics with critical evaluation of some other approaches from your reading. (3) Mid-course paper (6 pp.; due Mon. Aug. 6) on one of four specific topics (in the syllabus) regarding the moral example or teaching of Jesus or Paul or one Gospel. (4) Final paper (10 pp.; due Sept. 7).

PREREQUISITES: NS500 or NS501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

FINAL EXAMINATION: No; final paper.