Summer 2009/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: August 17-28
NS536
Johnson
NS536: THEOLOGY OF THE RESURRECTION. Andy Johnson.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an exploration of the major passages in the NT
dealing with the resurrection of Jesus and the final resurrection of the dead.
More specifically, it will focus on the diversity of these texts and the
possibility and nature of a coordinated NT witness that might emerge from them;
their relationship to the OT; the historical background against which they are
to be understood; their relationship to history; the theology they express; the
consequences for the Church's mission and ministry in light of this
theology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed the requirements for this
course, students should (1) have a basic grasp of the content and theology of
NT texts dealing with resurrection (primarily the gospel resurrection
narratives and resurrection texts in Paul); (2) have a rudimentary
understanding of the various views of life after death that were current in
both Judaism and the wider Greco-Roman world in the first century CE; (3) be
able to demonstrate the relationship between exegesis of resurrection texts and
theological reflection on those texts and their place in NT Theology; (4) be
able to coherently discuss how conceptions of resurrection are impacted by
conceptions of the nature of humanity and conceptions of an intermediate state
(or lack thereof); (5) be able to articulate various consequences that taking
the resurrection seriously has for the mission/being of the Church.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: An informed understanding of the significance of Jesus'
resurrection, its relationship to the future resurrection of the dead, and the
place of both in the larger biblical narrative of God's mission to redeem the
world is essential to the whole range of ministry practices (including ministry
to the bereaved, evangelism, preaching, Christian education & formation)
and ethical life.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture and discussion of resurrection texts and course reading.
The course will meet daily for four-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Madigan, Kevin J., and Jon D. Levenson. Resurrection: The Power
of God for Christians and Jews. Yale University Press, 2008.
- Wright, N. T. The Resurrection of the Son of God. Fortress, 2003.
- Choose one of the following:
- Felker Jones, Beth. Marks of His Wounds: Gender
Politics and Bodily Resurrection. Oxford University Press, 2007.
- Green, Joel B. Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the
Bible. Baker Academic, 2008.
- Kirk, Daniel J. R. Unlocking Romans and the Justification of God.
Eerdmans, 2008.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Longenecker, Richard, ed. Life in the Face of Death: The
Resurrection Message of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1998.
- Peters, Ted, Robert John Russell, Michael Welker, eds. Resurrection:
Theological and Scientific Assessments. Eerdmans, 2002.
- Other recommended reading will be available on the course syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Completion of assigned reading (as much as possible prior to
class sessions but familiarity must be demonstrated on the final take-home
essay/research paper) 10% of course grade. (2) Preliminary "harmony"
narrative of resurrection texts and reflection on diversity/unity of the NT
witness due the first Tuesday of class sessions (1,000-1,250 words; 10% of
course grade). (3) A book review of Green, Felker Jones, or Kirk due the
second Tuesday of class sessions (1,000-1,250 words; 20%). (4) A group oral
presentation/critique and discussion of Green, Felker Jones, Kirk due the
second Wednesday of class sessions (10%). (5) Final take-home essay or research
paper due September 14, 2009 (50%).
PREREQUISITES: NS500 New Testament 1.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament
Theology (NTT).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (6/09)