Summer 2014/Pasadena

NS501

Givens

NS501: NEW TESTAMENT 2: ROMANS–REVELATION (4 Units: 120 hours). Tommy Givens.

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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated (1) familiarity with the historical background, content, structure, and message of the writings from Romans through Revelation; (2) skill in the interpretation of these writings as appropriate for effective leadership in various contexts; and (3) introductory understanding of the character of the NT letters and the Apocalypse of John as witnesses to Jesus Christ for the life and mission of his church.

COURSE FORMAT: The course, which consists of lectures and discussion, will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible: Romans-Revelation.

Achtemeier, P., J. Green, and M. Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Eerdmans, 2001. ISBN: 978-0802837172, Pub. Price $44.00 [544 pp.].

Blount, Brian K. Can I Get a Witness? Reading Revelation through African American Culture. Westminster John Knox, 2004. ISBN: 978-0664228699, Pub. Price $25.00 [168 pp.].

Gorman, Michael. Apostle of the Crucified Lord. Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN: 978-0802839343, Pub. Price $42.00 [624 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3rd ed. Eerdmans, 2003. ISBN: 978-0802822215, Pub. Price $40.00.

Hays, Richard. The Conversion of the Imagination: Paul as Interpreter of Israel’s Scripture. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802812629, Pub. Price $22.00.

Martin, Ralph P., and Daniel G. Reid. The Dictionary of the Later New Testament. InterVarsity Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0830817795, Pub. Price $60.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Participation in online discussion groups and study questions (20%).

2. Two short papers on assigned NT passages (ca. 2,000 words each; 40%).

3. One book review (ca. 1500 words; 10%).

4. FINAL, comprehensive, take-home exam (30%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2); meets MAT (2010) program requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, take-home exam.