Fall 2008/Pasadena
NS511
Patzia

NS511: EMERGENCE OF THE CHURCH. Arthur G. Patzia.


DESCRIPTION: The course, within the sphere of NT Theology, begins as a study of the emerging church in the Book of Acts and moves into the development of the early church in all the NT literature. Topics to be discussed include church organization, leadership, worship, the sacraments, the Holy Spirit, Jewish/Gentile problems, and the unity of the church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will

  1. better know and understand the NT;

  2. understand the development, nature, and structure of the early church as described in the NT;

  3. appreciate the diversity of the early church;

  4. develop ability in interpreting the ecclesiology of the NT;

  5. see more clearly the emerging church within its cultural and religious environment;

  6. be able to engage more competently and sympathetically in local and ecumenical discussion of the church today.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Students who complete this course should have a good knowledge of the "emergence" and "nature" of the church in the first century and its importance for understanding and serving the church today.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will include a combination of lecture material and class discussion during the quarter, meeting once a week for three-and-a-half-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:
Brown, R. The Churches the Apostles Left Behind. Paulist, 1984. ISBN 0-8091-2611-7

Bruce, F. F. The Book of the Acts. NIC. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 1989. ISBN 0802825052

Dunn, J. D. G. Unity and Diversity in the New Testament. 3rd ed. SCM, 2006. ISBN 0-334-02998-8

Patzia, A. The Emergence of the Church: Context, Growth, Leadership, Worship. InterVarsity Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8308-2650-5

Syllabus and Supplemental material will be available prior to the first class meeting.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Bockmuehl, Markus, and Thompson, Michael B. A Vision for the Church. T & T Clark, 1997.

Guy, Laurie. Introducing Early Christianity: A Topical Survey of Its Life, Beliefs & Practices. InterVarsity Press, 2004.

McKechnie, Paul. The First Christian Centuries: Perspective on the Early Church. InterVarsity Press, 2002.

A number of additional commentaries, monographs, and articles will be recommended for students throughout the course.

ASSIGNMENTS: In addition to class attendance and participation [10%]:
  1. Reading of all the required material

  2. A book review of Brown (5-7pp) [15%]

  3. One major research paper (15-20 pp.) or two shorter (10-12 pp.) on a topic(s) t.b.a. in the course syllabus [40%]

  4. Final exam [35%]

PREREQUISITES: NS501.

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes (in class during exam week).

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/08)