Winter 2008/Pasadena
NS589
Green
NS589: THE HUMAN PERSON IN NEW TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE. Joel B. Green.
DESCRIPTION: An exploration of the nature of humanity -- focusing on the
multivalent witness of the New Testament, understood theologically within its
literary and cultural worlds and in relation to contemporary science. Major New
Testament writings and topics will be explored.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will be
able to:
- identify thoughtful ways in which the natural sciences and Scripture
contribute to our theological understanding of the human person;
- demonstrate a critical awareness of the interconnectedness in New Testament
studies between one's portrait of the human person and such areas of study as
salvation, the church, discipleship, free will, and eternal life; and
- propose a coherent, Christian understanding of the human person, together
with its implications for faithful life and ministry practice.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Understanding the character of humans in relation to
God and with respect to the vocation given humanity by God is central to the
whole range of ministry practices (including, e.g., evangelism, preaching,
hospitality, and Christian education and formation) and ethical life.
COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions for
lectures, group work, and discussion.
REQUIRED READING: Choose one book from each of the following four sets of
texts:
- Ehrlich, Paul R. Human Natures: Genes, Cultures, and the Human
Prospect. New York: Penguin, 2000.
- Or LeDoux, Joseph. Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We
Are. New York: Viking, 2002.
- Green, Joel B., ed. What about the Soul? Neuroscience and
Christian Anthropology. Nashville: Abingdon, 2004.
- Or Jeeves, Malcolm A., ed. From Cells to Souls: Changing
Portraits of Human Nature. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.
- Middleton, J. Richard. The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in
Genesis 1. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2005.
- Or Wright, John P. and Paul Potter, eds. Psyche and Soma:
Physicians and Metaphysicians on the Mind-Body Problem from Antiquity to
Enlightenment. Oxford: Clarendon, 2000.
- Biddle, Mark E. Missing the Mark: Sin and Its Consequences in
Biblical Theology. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005.
- Or Schnelle, Udo. The Human Condition: Anthropology in the
Teachings of Jesus, Paul, and John. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Completion of assigned reading.
- Two Reflection Papers (4 pages each; 25% of final grade)
- Two Book Reviews (the first on either Ehrlich or LeDoux, the second on
either Middleton or Wright/Potter, 5 pages each; 45% of final grade)
- Final, Integrative Paper (10 pages; 35% of final grade)
PREREQUISITES: NS500 and NS501.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament
Theology (NTT).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/07)