Winter 2012/Pasadena
NE506
Thompson

NE506: NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: COLOSSIANS. Marianne Meye Thompson.


DESCRIPTION: This course is an exegetical study of the epistles to the Colossians, which seeks to develop confidence in interpreting the Greek text as well as familiarity with the main themes of this epistle, particularly its Christology, understanding of salvation, and of the Christian life as "hidden in Christ with God."

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Satisfactory completion of this course should increase the student's understanding of Colossians and its main themes, give practice and skill in exegesis of the Greek text, and deepen understanding of the scope of the life, death, and work of Jesus, and of one way in which his life and death were understood and interpreted by early believers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated

  1. skill in interpreting the epistle to the Colossians;

  2. the use of critical tools and resources to aid understanding of the text;

  3. the ability to bring knowledge of critical issues in Colossians and its study to bear on reading recent work on the epistle.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour sessions. Class time will be devoted to translation of the Greek, discussion of key exegetical points, and discussion of the theology of the epistle.

REQUIRED READING:
Either Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. United Bible Societies, 1993 [UBS4] (ISBN: 978-3438051103, $43.99); OR Nestle, E. & K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1993 [NA27] (ISBN: 978-3438051004, $40.99).

Thompson, Marianne Meye. A Commentary on Colossians and Philemon. Two Horizons Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802827159. $20.00.

Walsh, Brian, and Sylvia Keesmat. Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004. ISBN: 978-0830827381. $23.00.

Students should choose two of the following commentaries:
Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 978-0802824417. $48.00.

Moo, Douglas J. Colossians and Philemon. The Pillar New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802837271. $46.00.

Sumney, Jerry. Colossians and Philemon. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008. ISBN: 978-0664221423. $50.00.

Talbert, Charles. Colossians and Philemon. Paideia Commentary. Grand Rapids, Baker, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801031281. $27.99.
For close work with the Greek text, students may also find helpful:
Harris, Murray J. Colossians & Philemon. Rev. ed. Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010. ISBN: 978-0805448498. $24.99.
See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

RECOMMENDED READING: There are numerous commentaries and monographs relevant to the study of Colossians (and Philemon), and these will be discussed in class. Most are available in the bookstore and on reserve.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Three exegetical assignments; 50%. (2) An original paraphrase of Colossians; 25%. (3) A review of Colossians Remixed; 25%.

PREREQUISITES: LG512, NE502, and either NS501 or NT500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament Exegesis (NTE) and MA program requirements for New Testament book study (NTBK).

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (October 2011)