Fall 2013/Pasadena

NS512

Green

NS512: JESUS AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Joel B. Green.

DESCRIPTION: An exploration of the historical, theological, and ethical significance of the proclamation of God’s kingdom, centered especially in the witness to the mission and message of Jesus in the Synoptic Gospels, but also in other New Testament voices and beyond.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The message of God’s kingdom is a central coordinate for theology and ethics in and of the New Testament. Consequently, it provides an important focal point for engaging in the synthetic, critical, and constructive work of biblical theology that is pivotal to day-to-day ministries of all kinds.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to articulate the importance of both the Old Testament witness to God’s dominion and the context of the first-century Roman Empire for explicating the witness of New Testament writings to God’s kingdom; (2) to work with the New Testament materials relevant to God’s kingdom in a synthetic way that takes seriously the particularity of these materials and the potential of a coordinated New Testament witness to God’s kingdom; (3) to exhibit the relationship between exegesis and theological interpretation of New Testament texts concerned with God’s kingdom; and (4) to articulate the ongoing significance of the witness of Jesus and early Christian writers to God’s kingdom for critical reflection on ecclesial practices.

COURSE FORMAT: This course is concerned with the practice of New Testament theology, which necessarily involves sociocultural and canonical interests. As a result, the course will require regular exegetical and theological work with biblical texts. The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Bryan, Christopher. Render to Caesar: Jesus, the Early Church, and the Roman Superpower. Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0195183344, Pub. Price $35.00.

Chilton, Bruce D. Pure Kingdom: Jesus’ Vision of God. Studying the Historical Jesus. Eerdmans, 1996. ISBN: 978-0802841872, Pub. Price $21.50.

Bible (selections). Students may use the CEB, NRSV, or TNIV. Those with Greek may use either UBS4 or NA28 (or 27).

Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God (Part Two). Fortress, 1996. ISBN: 978-0800626822, Pub. Price $45.00.

RECOMMENDED READING

Horsley, Richard A. Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder. Fortress, 2003. ISBN: 978-0800634902, Pub. Price $18.00.

Kenneson, P.D., et al. The Shape of God’s Reign. Wipf & Stock, 2008. ISBN: 978-1606080559, Pub. Price $12.00.

McKnight, Scot, and Joseph B. Modica, eds. Jesus Is Lord, Caesar Is Not: Evaluating Empire in New Testament Studies. InterVarsity, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830839919, Pub. Price $22.00.

Snyder, Howard. Kingdom, Church, and World: Biblical Themes for Today. Wipf & Stock, 2001. ISBNL 978-1579108212, Pub. Price $18.00.

Streett, R. Alan. Heaven on Earth: Experiencing the Kingdom of God in the Here and Now. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2013 (978-0736949149; $14.99).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Class preparation and participation.

  2. Three interpretive exercises on selected passages (1350 words each) (30% of final grade)

  3. A critical review of either Bryan or Chilton (25% of final grade)

  4. Research essay related to one or more of the learning outcomes (ca. 10 pages) (45% of final grade).

PREREQUISITES: NS500 New Testament 1: Gospels and Acts, or NT500 New Testament Introduction.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

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.