Fall 2013/Pasadena

NE506

Hill

NE506: NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: HEBREWS. Craig Allen Hill.

DESCRIPTION: This course is an exegetical study of the epistle to the Hebrews. It seeks to develop confidence in interpreting the Greek text as well as familiarity with historical, literary, and theological themes in this document, particularly its Christology, understanding of salvation, the various metaphors describing the significance of the person and work of Jesus, as well as the complexity of its Jewish and Hellenistic backgrounds.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Satisfactory completion of this course should increase the student’s understanding of Hebrews 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 Hebrews; (2) the use of critical tools and resources to aid understanding of the text; (3) the ability to read recent work on the epistle critically.

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:

Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. United Bible Societies, 1993 [UBS4]. ISBN: 978-3438051103, Pub. Price $43.99; ORNestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 28th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012 [NA28]. ISBN 978-3438051400, Pub. Price $40.99. Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993 [NA27]. ISBN: 978-3438051004, Pub. Price $40.99 is also allowed.

Bauckham, Richard, Daniel R. Driver, Trevor A. Hart, Nathan MacDonald, eds. The Epistle to the Hebrews and Christian Theology. Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-8028-2588-9, Pub. Price $40.00 [200pp.]

For Required Assingments Students must use at least ONE of the following commentaries:

Cockerill, Gareth Lee. The Epistle to the Hebrews. New International Commentary on the New Testament 58. Eerdmans, 2012. ISBN: 978-0802824929, Pub. Price $60.00 [200pp.].

Koester, Craig R. Hebrews: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible 36. Doubleday, 2001. ISBN: 978-0385468930, Pub. Price $50.00 [400pp.].

O’Brien, Peter T. The Letter to the Hebrews. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802837295, Pub. Price $52.00 [200pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Attridge, Harold W. The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Hermeneia. Fortress Press, 1989. ISBN: 978-0800660215, Pub. Price $60.00.

Ellingworth, Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 1992. ISBN: 978-0802824202, Pub. Price $68.00.

Lane, William L. Hebrews. 2 vols. Word Biblical Commentary 47A–47B. Thomas Nelson, 1991. ISBN: 978-0849909351, Pub. Price $49.99 each vol.

There are numerous commentaries and monographs relevant to the study of Hebrews, and these will be discussed in class. Most are available in the bookstore and on reserve. For further resources, see “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available at http://www.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/091/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Preparation for each course meeting by studying the Greek text of assigned passages, comparing one’s observations with at least one of the required commentaries, and preparing translations as assigned to be submitted weekly (1 page each) (30%).
  2. Two exegetical exercises on selected passages (ca. 1000 words each) (30%).
  3. A final exegetical research paper on one of several suggested passages in Hebrews (ca. 4000 words) (40%).

PREREQUISITES: 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).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.