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.