Spring 2008/Pasadena
NS522
Downs
NS522: WEALTH AND POVERTY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. David J. Downs.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an examination of theological perspectives on
wealth, poverty, and justice in a variety of biblical traditions, with a
special focus on the New Testament witness. In addition to considering the
literary, socio-economic, and religious contexts of Scripture's discussions of
wealth and poverty, this course will also address questions concerning the
responsible stewardship of wealth and possessions in an age of consumerism.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1)
familiarity with theological perspectives on wealth, poverty, and justice in a
variety of biblical traditions; (2) an understanding of the historical and
socio-cultural contexts in which these perspectives developed; and (3) an
ability to examine critically, in light of the New Testament's witness, their
own and others' beliefs and practices regarding wealth, poverty, and justice;
and (4) the capacity to engage issues related to the church's care for the poor
and powerless constructively in their diverse contexts.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Responsible stewardship of wealth and possessions and
consideration of the church's ministry to the poor and powerless represent
crucial issues confronting followers of Jesus both ancient and modern. Careful
reflection on these issues, therefore, is critical for teaching and preaching
that is faithful to the Bible's witness.
COURSE FORMAT: The course meets weekly for three-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Hoppe, Leslie J. There Shall Be No Poor Among You: Poverty in
the Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 2004.
- Nardoni, Enrique. Rise Up, O Judge: A Study of Justice in the Biblical
World. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2004.
- Stegemann, Ekkehard W., and Wolfgang Stegemann. The Jesus Movement: A
Social History of Its First Century. Translated by O. C. Dean Jr.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1999.
- Wheeler, Sondra Ely. Wealth as Peril and Obligation: The New Testament
on Possessions. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
- Course reader.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Blomberg, Craig L. Neither Poverty nor Riches: A Biblical
Theology of Possessions. New Studies in Biblical Theology 7. Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
- Brown, Peter. Poverty and Leadership in the Later Roman Empire: The
Menahem Stern Jerusalem Lectures. Hanover and London: University Press of
New England, 2002.
- Gonzalez, Justo L. Faith and Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas
on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money. San Francisco: Harper &
Row; repr. ed., Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2002.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Class preparation and participation (10%).
- Weekly reflection papers (2-3 pp. each; 40%).
- A final project consisting of either (a) a 20-page research paper or (b) a
service-learning project (50%).
PREREQUISITES: NS500 and NS501.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament
Theology (NTT).
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)