DESCRIPTION: This is a doctoral level seminar, open at the 500 level to a limited number of advanced master's level students by special permission. This seminar focuses on specific important topics in the study of ancient social, cultural, and historical contexts of the NT. In the Fall 2009, the topic for consideration will be the interpretation of Scripture in Judaism and early Christianity.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: NT860/560 prepares students primarily for the ministry of teaching and research. While the course focuses on the sources and tools for advanced historical research, it will also aim to help students grapple with the interpretation of Scripture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) familiarity with a range of cultural and historical matters that inform our study of the NT; (2) skill in using primary and secondary sources available for interpreting the NT in its ancient contexts; and (3) the ability to identify important early Jewish and Christian ways of interpreting the Scriptures.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets three hours a week for discussion of primary and secondary sources.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Alexander, Patrick H. et al., eds. The SBL Handbook of Style: For Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1999.

Evans, C. A. Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: A Guide to the Background Literature. Rev. ed. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2005.

Mulder, Martin Jan, et al., eds. Mikra: Text, Translation, Reading, & Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in Ancient Judaism & Early Christianity. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2005.

Hauser, A. J., and D. F. Watson. A History of Biblical Interpretation. Vol. 1: The Ancient Period. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Students will need access to selected primary texts, including the Septuagint, the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo, Josephus, the Apostolic Fathers, in the following editions:

Charles worth, J. H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. 2 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1983, 1985.

García Martínez, Florentina, and Eibert J. C. Tigchelaar. The Dead Sea Scrolls: Study Edition. 2 vols. Leiden: Brill; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997, 1998.

Philo, Josephus, and the Apostolic Fathers should be consulted in the editions of the Loeb Classical Library.

1. Class Preparation, Attendance, and Participation. Attendance at and readiness to participate in all sessions of the Seminar is expected.

2. Weekly Assignments in primary sources. Weekly exercises provide opportunities for working with selected primary texts throughout the seminar (master's students will write 4 short papers).

3. Final Paper. The preparation of a paper of about 10-15 pages on a relevant text from the primary sources.