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:
- Students will know and understand better the parts of the New Testament
that are covered.
- Students will develop some ability in interpreting texts through exegesis
and critical interaction with the texts via historical, cultural, literary and
other methods.
- Students will become more skilled in reading the New Testament
theologically .
- 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:
- Two short papers on assigned subjects (but with some choice allowed).
- Midterm and final exams.
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)