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)