Fall 2007/Pasadena
NS501
Hagner

NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ACTS-REVELATION. Donald A. Hagner.


DESCRIPTION: This is the second of a two course sequence designed to provide a basic introduction to the New Testament, including not only the traditional elements of "Introduction" such as authorship, date, provenance, background, structure, and use of sources, but also the theologies of the various writings. The orientation is both historical and exegetical. The present course is concerned with the book of Acts, the epistles, and the apocalypse. The bulk of the course will be devoted to Paul as the supreme interpreter of Christianity. Attention will also be given to other strands of early Christianity and to the history of their emergence, especially that of Jewish Christianity.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  1. Students will know and understand better the parts of the New Testament that are covered.

  2. Students will develop some ability in interpreting texts through exegesis and critical interaction with the texts via historical, cultural, literary and other methods.

  3. Students will become more skilled in reading the New Testament theologically .

  4. Students will see more clearly the nature of the New Testament as both human words and holy Scripture.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: An understanding of these documents of the New Testament is indispensable not only for teaching and preaching, but in developing a biblically informed theology that equips one for everyday living.

COURSE FORMAT: The course is based mainly around the lectures, but discussion with active participation of the student will also be allowed. The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:
The second half of the following two books:

Brown, R. E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Doubleday, 1997.

Ladd, G. E. A Theology of the New Testament. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 1993.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Barrett, C. K. New Testament Background: Selected Documents. Rev. ed. HarperCollins, 1989.

Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Eerdmans, 1977.

Martin, R. P. New Testament Foundations. Vol. 2. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 1978.

ASSIGNMENTS:

PREREQUISITES: None, though Greek is desirable.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/07)