Winter 2015/Pasadena

NE506

Downs

NE506: NEW TESTAMENT EXEGESIS: 1 CORINTHIANS (4 Units: 160 Hours). David J. Downs.


DESCRIPTION: This course will offer a detailed study of the Greek text of 1 Corinthians, with particular attention given to the letter’s socio-historical setting, its theological argument, and its continuing significance for the Christian church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a thorough knowledge of the content and literary structure of the Greek text of 1 Corinthians, including familiarity with the apparatuses and tools required for the study of the Greek text; (2) an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which this epistle was composed; (3) an ability to offer exegesis of select passages from the letter in light of a range of interpretative questions and approaches; and (4) some reflection on the significance of 1 Corinthians for discipleship and ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,200 pages required.

1 Corinthians. An acceptable modern translation (CEB; NRSV; TNIV; etc.) and Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. American Bible Society, 2000 [UBS4]. ISBN: 978-3438051103, Pub. Price $43.99; OR Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 28th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012 [NA28]. ISBN 978-3438051400, Pub. Price $45.99. Also allowed is Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1998 [NA27] ISBN: 978-3438051004, Pub. Price $40.99.

Course reader.

Kovacs, Judith L. 1 Corinthians: Interpreted by Early Christian Commentators. The Church’s Bible. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802825773, Pub. Price $40.00 [370 pp.].

ONE of the following commentaries:

Ciampa, Roy E. and Brian S. Rosner. The First Letter to the Corinthians. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 2010. ISBN: 978-080283732, Pub. Price $65.00 [990 pp.]

Fee, Gordon. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Rev. ed. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans, 2014. ISBN: 978-0802825070, Pub. Price $65.00 [904 pp.].

Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 978-0802824493, Pub. Price $86.00 [1424 pp.].

See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Fitzmyer, Joseph A. First Corinthians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Yale University Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0300140446, Pub. Price $55.00 [688 pp.].

Gorman, Michael. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Hendrickson, 2001. ISBN: 978-0801046407, Pub. Price $21.99 [304 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Attendance and participation [30 hours].

  2. 1,200 pp. of required reading [80 hours].

  3. DLAs: Four short reading responses (750-1,000 words each) on assigned articles (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, and 4]. [12 hours].

  4. Preparation of an assigned Greek text for most sessions (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [16 hours].

  5. Two interpretive working papers (2,000 words each) dealing with issues of Greek grammar, syntax, exegesis, and theology (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [15 hours].

  6. Take-home final exam (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, and 4]. [7 hours].

PREREQUISITES: (LG512 or LG512A/B) and (NE502 or BI500) and (NT500 or NS501).

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Biblical Language Text Exegesis requirement in the 120 MDiv program. Meets the NTE in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes, take-home.


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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.