NS521
Hansen

NS521: NEW TESTAMENT ETHICS. G. Walter Hansen.


DESCRIPTION:

We will examine the ethics of Jesus and the Apostles as disclosed in the New Testament, compare their ethical perspectives to alternatives in the first century, and apply their ethical instructions to twentieth century problems.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
We face moral challenges in our ministry in such areas as family responsibilities, financial stewardship, civic obligations, and community life which were addressed by Jesus and the Apostles. We will seek to gain insights from the responses of the New Testament to these issues in order to address contemporary ethical questions.

COURSE FORMAT:
Lectures, Socratic dialogue, debates, and small group interaction will be used to stimulate in-depth reflection on ethical issues arising from New Testament texts.

REQUIRED READING:
Chilton, Bruce and J. I. H. McDonald. Jesus and the Ethics of the Kingdom. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

Houlden, James L. Ethics and the New Testament. Reprint. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1992.

Longenecker, Richard N. New Testament Social Ethics for Today. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984.

Rosner, Brian S., ed. Understanding Paul's Ethics: Twentieth Century Approaches. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.

Sampley, J. Paul. Walking Between the Times: Paul's Moral Reasoning. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991.

Schrage, Wolfgang. The Ethics of the New Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1988.

Selected chapters and articles from books and journals on reserve.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Furnish, Victor Paul. Theology and Ethics in Paul. Nashville: Abingdon, 1968.

__________. The Moral Teaching of Paul: Selected Issues. Second edition. Nashville: Abingdon, 1985.

Lohse, Eduard. Theological Ethics of the New Testament. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991.

Meeks, Wayne A. The Moral World of the First Christians. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986.

O'Donovan, Oliver. Resurrection and Moral Order. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Read approximately 1,000 pages.

  2. Write a 10-12 page typed double-spaced paper due the seventh week of the term.

  3. Write a final essay exam based on class sessions and assigned readings.

PREREQUISITES:
NS500 or NS501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets M.Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

FINAL EXAMINATION:
Yes.