NS581/NT801
Scholer
NS581/NT801: NEW TESTAMENT RESEARCH METHODS. David M. Scholer.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is an opportunity for qualified and selected masters
level students to participate in a Center for Advanced Theological Studies
graduate seminar [NT801]. The seminar focuses on the methods, the bibliographic
resources, and the cultural/historical contexts for advanced research in the
New Testament; matters of writing, developing a thesis, constructing an
argument, citation of sources, and footnotes also receive attention. The
interface between the New Testament as an authoritative text for the Church and
the reality of its various contingent historical settings is also
considered.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- This course is essential for the vocational ministry of those
called to a life of scholarship and teaching in the field of New Testament
studies. This seminar contributes to one's deepening knowledge of the field, to
one's awareness of research methodologies and resources, and to one's
reflection on major issues of critical study within the context of Christian
faith and commitment.
COURSE FORMAT:
- This course is a small doctoral level seminar. It is comprised of
lectures, vigorous discussion, student oral and written presentations, and
intra-seminar critique of one another's work.
REQUIRED READING:
- Danker, F. W. Multipurpose Tools for Bible Study. Rev. and
expanded ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1993.
- Epp, E. J. and G. W. MacRae. The New Testament and Its Modern
Interpreters. (SBL The Bible and Its Modern Interpreters.) Atlanta:
Scholars Press, 1989.
- Evans, C. A. Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation.
Peabody: Hendrickson, 1992.
- Harrisville, R. A. and W. Sundberg. The Bible in Modern Culture:
Theology and Historical-Critical Method from Spinoza to Käsemann.
Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1995.
- Haynes, S. R. and S. L. McKenzie. To Each Its Own Meaning: An
Introduction to Biblical Criticism and Their Applications. Louisville:
Westminster/John Knox, 1993.
- Scholer, D. M. A Basic Bibliographic Guide for New Testament
Exegesis. 3rd ed. Incomplete and working draft (December 1996). Available
from the FTS Bookstore.
- Turabian, K. L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations. 6th ed. Rev. J. Grossman and A. Bennett. (Chicago Guides to
Writing, Editing, and Publishing.) Chicago and London: University of Chicago
Press, 1996.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Masters level students negotiate with the professor their
assignment load from the following doctoral level requirements:
- The reading and use of all texts.
- Four-eight oral reports on various aspects of the seminar's work.
- Four-eight brief written reports on various aspects of the seminar's
work.
- A brief paper (five pages) on the nature of the New Testament as an
authoritative text for the church in relationship to the reality of the
multiple contingent historical settings of the New Testament texts.
- A major paper (35 pages) on the relationship between both the Greco-Roman
and the Jewish contexts of the New Testament and the content and theology of
the New Testament.
PREREQUISITES:
- NE502, NS500, NS501, either an NTE or NTT course, and permission of
the professor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.