1 P a g e. III. The Specific Objectives of this Course Specific Objectives After successful completion of this course the student will be able to...

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1 ASSIGNMENT-SYLLABUS for Course # NT 5207 Title: New Testament Introduction FAITH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Program: M.Div Professor's name: John Lepera Professor's JLepera@FaithTheological.org Semester, year: Spring 2015 Dates of semester: Jan 24 to May 9, 2015 Day & times of class: Saturday 3:30 to 6:00PM TRACS Standards: Individual courses, seminars, within graduate programs must evidence a process for the evaluation of stated objectives and/or student outcomes and competencies through objectives which can be assessed and evaluated through student performances/learning experiences at critical periods. I. Description of the Course An examination of the content, canon, text, and interpretation of the New Testament, including an introduction to the language of the New Testament, its relation to antecedent and contemporary Greek, and its distinctive characteristics, studying Textual Criticism, and history of the Text, and giving an overview survey and basic content of each individual book and their contribution to the whole Bible. This course will explore and be devoted to the literary historical questions of the New Testament. II. The General Curriculum Objectives Addressed in this Course The student will become familiar with the various forms of literary criticism, focusing on textual as the primary focus. A. Things that will be learned are the canonical and the apocryphal books, the Apostolic Fathers, the purpose for the writing of each book, the author, the sitz im leben (setting in life), integrity of the New Testament books, and Gnostics writings. B. Also studied are the overall investigation of the origin, composition, history, and significance of the Bible. C. The student will know that the New Testament follows verba valent usu (says what it means), and stands against liberal theological teachings of Heilsgeschichte (pious storytelling). III. The Specific Objectives of this Course Specific Objectives After successful completion of this course the student will be able to... Related Curriculum Objectives (from "II" above) A. Defend the canonization of the NT, know the criticisms Text and lecture A. B. Understand the foundations for the NT writings Text and lecture - B. C. Grasp God s plan of salvation and eschatology as realized in the NT Text and lecture C. IV. Demonstration of Learning Course assignments, guidelines for completion, due date, and rubric used for assessing student learning for each assignment Related Course Objectives (from "III") Percent of Course Grade 1. Quizzes/Tests Lecture and text Final Lecture and text Homework & class participation Research & videos 25 1 P a g e

2 V. Information Resources and Technology Needed for this Course A. Information technology suggested for the student to use in this course: 1. Logos Bible and Scholar's Library software (optional) 2. Any resource from the John Norris Library at Faith Theological Seminary 3. Video software program that will play wmv, mp4, and flv files, such as VLC. B. Texts and/or other learning resources required for this course: 1. Introduction to the New Testament. D. A. Carson and D.J. Moo, Zondervan Handouts from the following books, given in class: Introduction to the New Testament. Louis Berkhof Introduction to the New Testament. Henry C. Thiessen Introduction to the New Testament. Raymond E. Brown Popular Survey of the New Testament. Norman Geisler VI. Additional Course Policies and Procedures A. Class Attendance and Tardiness Attendance is expected at all class sessions, except in cases of emergency. Instructors will take late, and lack of, attendance into consideration in determining a student s grade. For B.Th., M.Div., and Certificate students, each unexcused (more than one) absence will result in one grade demotion. Excused absences (for deaths and serious illness) must be limited to a maximum of four and documented appropriately. Any absences for illness exceeding this maximum will result in dismissal from the course(s) with a Withdraw Passing (WP). All absences must be followed by completion of all missed in-class work (and assignments) in a timely fashion by consulting with the professors of the classes missed. Three times tardy (ten or more minutes) to class will equal one class absence. Four times tardy will equal two unexcused absences. Doctoral students may not be late for, or miss, any classes, considering the intensive nature of these courses. In the event that a doctoral student misses one intensive class, they will be Withdrawn Passing (WP) or Withdrawn Failing (WF), depending on their GPA for the course at the time of Withdrawal. B. Class participation is an essential part of the learning process C. All late assignments are graded "F" but must be completed within one week of the due date. Assignments not completed may result in failure of the course. D. Tests and Exams 1. Tests All tests will start promptly at the beginning of class. The time allotted for completion of the test is 30 minutes. All tests must be taken on the day scheduled. Any test not taken will be graded as a failure - 0%. Cheating on tests will not be tolerated. Cheating will result in an automatic 0% on the test, and a report will be sent to the Academic Dean. 2. Mid Term and Final Exams All exams will start promptly at the beginning of class. The time allotted for completion of the Exam is 60 minutes. Exams must be taken on the day scheduled. They cannot be made up. Any Exam not taken will be graded as a failure - 0% Cheating on exams will not be tolerated. Cheating will result in an automatic 0% on the exam, and a report will be sent to the Academic Dean. 2 P a g e

3 E. Calculation of course grade is in accordance with section IV (above). F. Please feel free to contact me personally through VII. Additional texts and/or learning resources for the student's further reference: Reference books: Identity of the New Testament Text. Wilbur N Pickering, Nelson New Testament History. F.F. Bruce. Anchor Books Understanding the New Testament. H.C. Kee. Pearson New Testament Story: An Introduction. D.L. Barr. Cengage Learning Introduction to the New Testament. Louis Berkhof. Free download at Introduction to the New Testament. Raymond E. Brown. Yale Uni Press, Introduction to the New Testament. Henry C. Thiessen, Eerdmans New Testament: An Introduction. J. Gresham Machen, Banner of Truth VIII. FTS Plagiarism policy Seminary Statement on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: Plagiarism means representing any work (including original ideas and opinions) as your own that is not your own. All information, quotes, and paraphrasing from all sources must be properly documented. All work submitted for this course must be your own and written exclusively for this course. Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person, or uses unauthorized material or fabricated information in any academic work. It includes, but is not limited to: Cheating giving or receiving answers on assigned material, using materials or aids forbidden by the instructor, alteration of academic records, unauthorized possession of examinations, the falsification of admissions, registration or other related college materials, or any other intentional use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aid. Plagiarism the offering of someone else s work, words, or idea as one s own or using material from another source without acknowledgement. Exclusive use of internet web sites for research content is discouraged. All references must be cited, NO paraphrased information. It is best to use the library databases/books for all research. Interference interfering without permission with the work of another student either by obtaining, changing or destroying the work of another student. Buying or selling of term papers, homework, examinations, laboratory assignments, computer programs, etc. Falsifying of one s own or another s records. Knowingly assisting someone who engages in A-E above. Committing plagiarism may result in the following consequences Faculty may impose the following disciplinary actions within the context of a course, o lowering of a grade or failure for a particular assignment. o lowering of a grade, failure and/or dismissal from the course. The Academic Dean, Academic Committee, and the Program Dean (responsible for the student s curriculum) may impose harsher measures within the context of the seminary such as: o disciplinary probation may include a limitation on credits, mandatory repeat of a course, etc. o suspension from a curriculum. 3 P a g e

4 IX. Tentative Class Schedule (also includes assignment due dates) Quizzes and tests are the last part of class (they do not include chapters of that day). Dates Assignments Dates Assignments Jan 24 Intro and Chapters 1, 26 New Testament Mar 21 Quiz 2. Then Chapter 17 Pastorals Study and Canon Jan 31 Chapters 2 Synoptic Gospels* Mar 28 Chapters 18, 19, 20 Philemon / Hebrews* / James Feb 7 Chapters 3, 4, 5 Matthew/Mark/Luke Apr 4 Easter * Watch 3 NT videos Feb 14 Chapters 6, 7 John / Acts* Apr 11 Spring Seminar Feb 21 Quiz 1. Then Chapter 8 NT Letters Apr 18 Chapters 21, 22, 23 1, 2 Peter / 1, 2, 3 John Feb 28 Chapters 9, 10 Paul* / Romans Apr 25 Chapters 24 and 25 Jude / Revelation* Mar 7 Chapters 11, 12, 13-1&2 Corinthians / May 2 Final Galatians / Ephesians Mar 14 Chapters 14, 15, 16 Philippians / Colossians / 1&2 Thessalonians May 9 Final make-up for snow day SKIP THE CHAPTER READINGS THAT MATCH THE VIDEOS chapters 2, 7, 9, 19, and 25. * III Mill - Answer the questions below on a separate sheet and turn in at the start of class. Watch Lesson 1: Intro to the Gospels video 1. What is the genre of the Gospels? 2. How do we know that the Gospels are historically reliable and authentic? 3. What apparent difficulties arise from the variety between the Gospels? 4. What are the distinctive emphases of each of the four gospels? Watch Lesson 1: The Background of Acts video 1. Discuss the explicit and implicit evidence from the Gospel of Luke that strongly suggests that one person wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. 2. Describe the original audiences of the book of Acts. 3. Describe the social context of Acts in terms that include a discussion of (1) the Roman Empire and (2) the relationship between the church and the Jews. 4. How does the theology of the kingdom of God in Luke s gospel prepare us to understand the message of Acts? In your answer, give particular attention to the roles of Jesus and of the apostles. Watch Lesson 1: Paul and his Theology video 1. Why is it important to see Paul s Jewish, as well as his Gentile, cultural background when understanding Paul s theology? 2. Explain how Paul s apostolic office gave him authority and legitimacy. 3. What was the main purpose of Paul s writings? 4. Describe Paul s eschatology. Watch Lesson 1: The Background and Purpose of Hebrews video 1. Why do we think the author of Hebrews was a Hellenistic Jew? 2. What are the five important factors discussed about the original audience? 3. What are the terminus a quo and the terminus ad quem of the writing? 4. Why are the writings of the community at Qumran compared with Hebrews regarding four topics? 4 P a g e

5 Watch Lessons 1, 2, 3, 4: Kingdom and Covenant in the New Testament videos Lesson 1: 1. What affirmations can be found in the Bible to support the inspiration and authority of the New Testament? 2. What are the three points of view regarding the inspiration of the New Testament? 3. List and describe the epochal continuities and discontinuities that exist between our day and New Testament times. 4. Why is it helpful to consider the impact of cultural continuities and discontinuities between ourselves and the New Testament's original audience? Lesson 2: 1. What is the meaning of the good news of God s kingdom? 2. Explain briefly the two primary ways Scripture refers to the kingdom of God. 3. What were the expectations for the arrival of God s kingdom? 4. What is the New Testament outlook on the threefold victory of the kingdom of God? Lesson 3: 1. God administers his kingdom by making covenants through covenant representatives. List the covenants of the Old and New Testaments. 2. What are the policies that were established by biblical covenants for different periods of biblical history? 3. Explain how God displayed his kindness to each covenant representative in the covenants of the Old and New Testaments. 4. God issued both blessings and curses in his covenants. Explain what the consequences were for the New Covenants. Watch Lesson 1: The Background of Revelation video STOP AT 40MIN 25SEC 1. Why should we have confidence in the traditional view that the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation? 2. Give one explanation of the figurative nature of Revelation regarding the seven headed beast. 3. Give reasons for dating Revelation during the time of Nero and reasons for dating Revelation during the time of Domitian. 4. Who was John s audience for the book of Revelation, and what was his purpose in writing? FAITH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (410) , 529 Walker Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21212, fts@faiththeological.org Website: 5 P a g e