DESCRIPTION: New Testament Introduction orients students to the literature of
the New Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological
contexts, and to New Testament interpretation in service of Christian
practice.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Those who desire that a biblical
perspective inform their lives and ministries must not only familiarize
themselves with the content of the New Testament text, but also become aware of
the importance of method and approach for their reading of the New
Testament.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will
have demonstrated that they (1) have an introductory knowledge of the
literature, history, and theology of the New Testament; (2) can identify a
range of questions (e.g., historical, literary, canonical) that might be
addressed to particular New Testament texts and to explore those questions in
the process of interpreting particular New Testament texts; (3) can identify
significant, critical resources for New Testament study and deploy those
sources critically in New Testament study; (4) are able to take into account
the varied contexts of both the biblical materials and their contemporary
interpreters; and (5) can read the New Testament in ways that foster faithful
Christian practice.
COURSE FORMAT: Class time will be divided between lectures on content and
method, and hands-on work with texts in breakout groups. Significant student
participation is expected; students will be responsible for preparing assigned
passages of the New Testament to discuss in class. Class will meet one evening
per week (3 hours) for ten weeks.
REQUIRED READING: