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.
STUDENT 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 can 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;
(5) can read the New Testament in ways that foster faithful Christian
practice.
COURSE FORMAT: The course, which consists of lectures and discussion, will
meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING: