Fall 2015/Pasadena

NE517

Sechrest

NE517: NEW TESTAMENT BOOK STUDY: REVELATION (English Text) (4 Units: 160 hours). Love Sechrest.


DESCRIPTION: This course engages a close reading of selected passages in the book of Revelation, with special attention given to literary, socio-historical, and theological understandings of John’s Apocalypse, with particular attention to the theo-political implications of its message.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpret the book of Revelationwithin its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of Revelation; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of Revelation; and (4) to use English based language tools for interpreting the text; and (5) to interpret this text for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: ~1,050 total pages required.

The book of Revelation in one of the following English translations: NRSV, CEB, or TNIV.

Blount, Brian K. Revelation: A Commentary (New Testament Library). Westminster John Knox, 2009. ISBN: 978-0664221218, Pub. Price $60.00 [418 pp. assigned].

Gorman, Michael J. Reading Revelation Responsibly. Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation. Cascade, 2011. ISBN: 978-1606085608, Pub. Price $25.00 [199 pp. assigned].

Hays, Richard B. and Stefan Alkier, eds. Revelation and the Politics of Apocalyptic Interpretation. Baylor University, 2012. ISBN: 978-1602585614, Pub. Price $49.95 [111 pp. assigned].

Levine, Amy Jill ed. with Maria Mayo Robbins. A Feminist Companion to the Apocalypse of John. T&T Clark, 2010. ISBN: 978-0826466518, Pub. Price $60.00 [100 pp. assigned].

Rhoads, David, ed. From Every People and Nation: The Book of Revelation in Intercultural Perspective. Fortress, 2005. ISBN: 978-0800637217, Pub. Price $23.00 [222 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bauckham, Richard. Theology of the Book of Revelation(New Testament Theology). Cambridge University Press, 1993. ISBN: 978-0521356916, Pub. Price $34.99.

Beale, Gregory. Revelation (New International Greek Text Commentary). Eerdmans, 2013. ISBN: 978-0802871077, Pub. Price $78.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1,050 pages of required reading [70 hours].

  2. Attendance: Students will receive a 0.5% deduction from the course grade for every absence (10%) [40 hours].
  3. Interpretative Working Papers: Students will choose a passage and prepare a three-page single-spaced summary of the Interpretative and theological issues in that passage according to guidelines given in class, which will focus the class discussion of these issues (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-4] [10 hours].

  4. Formal Interpretative Paper: Beginning with the working paper above, students will prepare a 2,500 word Interpretative paper on the same passage (45%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [20 hours].

  5. Journals: Regular 1-2 page assignments in preparation for class that involve close reading of the text and interaction with secondary literature (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3 and 5] [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502; NT500 or NS501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Counts as a biblical elective for the 120 MDiv, 80 MAT, and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the NTBK requirement for the MAT Program (Winter 2010).

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.

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