Spring 2012/Pasadena
NS501
Young
NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ROMANS-REVELATION. Stephen E. Young.
DESCRIPTION: This course constitutes an introduction to the nature, structure,
and message of the New Testament letters and the Apocalypse of John in their
historical, literary, and canonical contexts.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: An understanding of these documents is
foundational for developing a biblically informed theology that equips one for
preaching and teaching, for thinking carefully and creatively about Christian
faith in today's world, and for faithful Christian discipleship.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have
demonstrated (1) familiarity with the historical background, genre,
content, structure, and message of the writings from Romans through Revelation;
(2) an appreciation for the implications of literary genre for one's reading of
these texts; (3) an understanding of the impact of social location upon one's
reading of these documents; (4) skill in the interpretation of these writings
as appropriate for effective leadership in various contexts; and (5) ability to
articulate the character of the NT letters and the Apocalypse of John as
witnesses to the significance of Jesus Christ for the life and mission of his
church.
COURSE FORMAT: Lectures and discussion of the assigned primary and secondary
readings; student participation is expected. The class meets twice weekly for
two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Romans through Revelation in an English Bible (NRSV, TNIV, or
CEB).
- Howard-Brook, Wes, and Anthony Gwyther. Unveiling Empire: Reading
Revelation Then and Now. Orbis, 1999. ISBN 9781570752872. $29.
- Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Writings of the New Testament. 3rd ed.
Fortress, 2010. ISBN: 9780800663612. $46.
- Polaski, Sandra Hack. A Feminist Introduction to Paul. Chalice,
2005. ISBN 9780827210370. $20.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle.
Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN: 9780802844231. $45.
- Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd ed.
Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 9780802822215. $38.
- Hawthorne, Gerald F., and Ralph P. Martin, eds. Dictionary of Paul and
His Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993. ISBN: 9780830817788. $60.
- Martin, Ralph P., and Daniel G. Reid. The Dictionary of the Later New
Testament and Its Developments. InterVarsity Press, 1997. ISBN:
9780830817795. $60.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
- Reading of Romans through Revelation in the NRSV, TNIV, or CEB
translations.
- Weekly journal entries based on study questions in the textbook by Johnson,
Writings of the New Testament (30% of final grade)
- Three interpretive exercises on assigned texts (2 pages each) (30% of final
grade)
- Two critical book reviews on Howard-Brook and Gwyther, Unveiling
Empire, and Polaski, Feminist Introduction to Paul (4-5 pages) (40%
of final grade)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 2
(NT2); meets MAT (2010) program requirement.
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (January 2012)