Summer 2009/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 20-31
NS501
Myers
NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ACTS-REVELATION. William H. Myers.
DESCRIPTION: This course is a general introduction to the New Testament texts
from Acts through Revelation with major emphasis given to the letters of Paul
and Pauline studies. Attention is given to the first-century contexts (Judaism;
Greco-Roman society; early church) of these documents, to the methodological
issues of interpretation, and to the use of these texts in the church today.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE & MINISTRY: An understanding of the letters of Paul,
the other NT "letters," Acts, and Revelation is essential for Christian
teaching, preaching, and ethics. Theological and hermeneutical reflection on
these documents will greatly aid the student toward that end.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students should
be able (1) to demonstrate familiarity with the historical background, content,
structure, and message of the writings from Acts through Revelation; (2) to
demonstrate developing skill in the interpretation of these writings as
appropriate for effective leadership in various contexts; (3) to articulate the
character of the Acts of the Apostles, the NT letters, and the Apocalypse of
John as witnesses to the significance of Jesus Christ for the life and mission
of his church; (4) to understand the significance of Paul the man, the author
and theologian on the New Testament documents; and (5) to be exposed to some
different interpretive lenses on the New Testament documents.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet daily for two weeks for four-hour
sessions. Class meetings will combine lectures, video tapes, discussion,
individual and/or group assignments.
REQUIRED READING:
- Barrett, C. K. Paul: An Introduction to His Thought.
Westminster/John Knox, 1994.
- Blount, Brian K. Can I Get a Witness? Reading Revelation through an
African American Lens. Westminster John Knox, 2005
- Jewett, Robert. Saint Paul at the Movies: The Apostle's Dialogue with
American Culture. Westminster/John Knox, 1993.
- Longenecker, Richard N., ed. The Road from Damascus: The Impact of
Paul's Conversion on His Life. Eerdmans, 1997.
- Pregeant, Russell. Engaging the New Testament: An Interdisciplinary
Introduction. Fortress, 1995.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- *Blount, Brian K., ed. True to our Native Land: An African
American Commentary on the New Testament. Fortress, 2007
- *Braxton, B. R. No Longer Slaves: Galatians & the African American
Experience. Liturgical Press, 2002.
- Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Eerdmans,
1998.
- Jewett, Robert. Paul, the Apostle to America.
Westminster/John Knox, 1994.
- Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality. Baker Academic,
2000.
- *Williams, Demetrius K. An End to This Strife: The Politics of Gender in
African American Churches. Fortress, 2004.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Student must choose two out of the first three
assignment options (one paper due Friday of the first week of class, the other
due Monday of the second week of class): (1-2) Preparation of a brief essay
(5-7 pages) on (1) recent movie and Paul's thought following the format in
Jewett's book and approach or (2) recent movie or music and Revelation using
Blount's approach (25%). (3) Preparation of a brief essay (5-7 pages) on
Paul's call and your call. Essay must reflect readings and reflections of
articles by Myers and Longenecker (25%). (4) Final exam (50%). (An alternative
individual or group project may be allowed to reduce percentage of final for
students who are interested. This will be discussed the first day of class.
This will not waive the requirement of taking the final, it will merely reduce
its percentage of the entire grade.)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 2
(NT2).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (4/09)