Spring 2017/Pasadena
NE517
Green
NE517: NEW TESTAMENT BOOK STUDY: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (4 Units: 160 hours). Joel B. Green.
DESCRIPTION: A close reading of selected passages in the Acts of the Apostles, with special attention given to literary, socio-historical, and theological understandings of the second half of the Lukan narrative comprising the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to interpret the book of Acts within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (2) to identify central issues in the critical study of the book of Acts; (3) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of the book of Acts; (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 38 instructional hours in the classroom for lectures, discussion, and break-out groups for translation and textual work. This course is concerned with the practice of New Testament exegesis. Accordingly, participation will require regular preparation, translation work, and exegetical practice.
REQUIRED READING: Choose at least one text from each of the following four sets:
Set 1: The book of Acts in at least one of the following English translations: CEB, NRSV, TNIV [ca. 35 pp.].
Set 2: Bede, The Venerable. Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. Cistercian, 1989. ISBN: 978-0879079178, Pub. Price $24.95 [ca. 200 pp.]; or González, J.L. Acts: The Gospel of the Spirit. Orbis, 2001. ISBN: 978-1570753985. Pub. Price $30.00 [ca. 200 pp.].
Set 3: Gaventa, B.R. Acts. Abingdon, 2003. ISBN: 978-0687058211, Pub. Price $31.99 [ca. 350 pp.]; Holladay, C.R. Acts: A Commentary. Westminster John Knox, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664221195, Pub. Price $75.00 [ca. 700 pp.].
Set 4: Johnson, L.T. Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church: The Challenge of Luke-Acts to Contemporary Christians. Eerdmans, 2011. ISBN: 978-0802803900, Pub. Price $23.00 [ca. 200 pp.]; or Skinner, M.L., Intrusive God, Disruptive Gospel: Encountering the Divine in the Book of Acts. Brazos, 2015. ISBN: 978-1587433757, Pub. Price $16.99 [ca. 200 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Preparation for each meeting of the course by carefully reading the assigned texts in Acts [Set 1] and comparing one’s observations with two (or more) of the required commentaries [Sets 2-3] [60 hours]. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4.]
Three interpretive exercises on selected passages (2 pages each) [18 hours] (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, and 4.]
A critical review of one book from the required reading list, Set 4 [20 hours] (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 3.]
Research essay on a pericope in Acts (ca. 10 pages) (45%) [24 hours]. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4.]
PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502; NT500 or NS500 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.