Spring 2013/Pasadena

NT826/526

Downs

NT826/526: ADVANCED GREEK: APOSTOLIC FATHERS. David J. Downs.

DESCRIPTION: This is a 6-unit seminar for doctoral students, also offered at the 500-level as a 4-unit course open to a limited number of master’s-level students. This seminar combines close reading of the Greek text of the Apostolic Fathers together with exposure to critical issues in the interpretation of this corpus of early Christian literature, including its significance for understanding the New Testament.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course prepares students primarily for the ministry of teaching and research. The course focuses on the sources and tools for advanced study and research of the Greek text of the Apostolic Fathers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) facility in Greek-reading skills, particularly with reference to the literature of second-century Christianity; (2) knowledge of the contents and contexts of the Apostolic Fathers; and (3) familiarity with a range of recent critical approaches to the Apostolic Fathers.

COURSE FORMAT: This seminar meets twice each week, two hours each time, once for translation and once for presentation on and discussion of selected topics in the interpretation of the Apostolic Fathers.

REQUIRED READING:

Either: Ehrman, Bart D. The Apostolic Fathers. Volumes I and II. Loeb Classical Library 24-25. Harvard University Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0674996076, Pub.price $24.00 [464 pp.] & ISBN: 978-0674996083, Pub.price $24.00 [496 pp.]. OR

Holmes, Michael W. The Apostolic Fathers. Greek Texts and English Translations. 3d ed. Baker, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801034688, Pub.price $44.99 [832 pp.].

Course Reader.

Gregory, Andrew and Christopher Tuckett, eds. Trajectories through the New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers. Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0199230051, Pub.price $75.00 [528 pp.].

Jefford, Clayton N. The Apostolic Fathers and the New Testament. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801046681, Pub.price $22.00 [288 pp.].

Pratscher, Wilhelm, ed. The Apostolic Fathers: An Introduction. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-1602583085, Pub.price $39.95 [315 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Foster, Paul, ed. The Writings of the Apostolic Fathers. T & T Clark, 2007. ISBN: 978-0567031068, Pub. Price $35.95 [178 pp.].

Gregory, Andrew and Christopher Tuckett, eds. The Reception of the New Testament in the Apostolic Fathers. The New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers. Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0199230075, Pub.price $55.00 [400 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Preparation, Attendance, and Participation, including preparation of short responses to selected readings (20%).

2. Seminar Presentations (20%).

3. Translation Consultant (10%).

4. Midterm Exam (20%).

5. Either a Final Exam or a Final Paper (30%).

Requirements 1-3 will be adapted for master’s-level students.

PREREQUISITES: Admission into the ThM or PhD program; at master’s level: permission of the professor (but with a minimum of LG512, NE502, and NE506).

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Satisfies the New Testament PhD requirement in Advanced Greek. ThM/MDiv elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Optional.