NT 501: New Testament Survey Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Spring Semester 2011

Transcription

1 NT 501: New Testament Survey Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Spring Semester 2011 Instructor: Joel White, Ph. D. Course Dates: February 2 nd April 27 th, 2011 Course Times: Wednesdays, 1:15 4:15 pm Course Description: New Testament Survey seeks to introduce students to the history, literature, and theology of the New Testament so that their grasp of its content is sufficient to inspire confidence in their ministry competency. Each of the books of the New Testament will be surveyed with careful attention to its purpose, structure, content, and most important texts. Emphasis will be placed on attaining an essential grasp of the message of each book and understanding its potential for application in both individual and local church contexts. Course Prerequisites and Relation to the Curriculum: There are no prerequisites for New Testament Survey. It lays the groundwork for all further work in New Testament Studies, especially New Testament Interpretation and New Testament Theology. Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to: describe the progression of New Testament history quote a theme verse for (almost) every book of the New Testament reproduce the outline of each New Testament book and describe its basic content explain the author s purpose in writing the book and its relevance for New Testament theology identify the most important features of New Testament geography (cities, bodies of water, regions, Roman provinces, etc.) describe the most important persons, events, and themes of the New Testament grasp the spiritual significance of the book s message and its demands on one s own life and ministry Course Requirements: 1. Attendance: Successful completion of the course assumes attendance at all classes. At most, a total of 3 hours of class may be excused for a legitimate reason. Missed class time over 3 hours 1

2 must be made up through additional reading or assignments at the discretion of the instructor. 2. Reading: Students are expected to read the New Testament in its entirety in a modern English (or native language) version, such as the NIV, RSV, or ESV. Paraphrases should be avoided. By means of a weekly checklist students must confirm that they have read each book of the NT between September 1, 2010 and the date on which that book is first discussed in class (see schedule below). In addition, the following text books will serve as the basis for class discussion and exams and should be read thoroughly: BCG PL Gary M. Burge, Lynn H. Cohick, and Gene L Green, The New Testament in Antiquity: A Survey of the New Testament within Its Cultural Contexts, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Paul Lawrence, The IVP Atlas of Bible History, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, Exams There will be two eighty-minute examinations during the course. The first exam will be held March 2 nd and will cover the Gospels and Acts. The second exam will take place at the allotted time during exam week and will cover the epistles and Revelation. Active knowledge of all charts and diagrams in the PowerPoint presentation (i.e. ability to reproduce them) and a passive knowledge of basic Bible content will be tested. 4. Memory Verses For each of the books of the NT (except Philemon and 2 nd and 3 rd John) a theme verses should be learned by heart in your mother tongue or in the language in which you plan on ministering. There will be a quiz of memory verses on the last day of class. Grading Mid-term exam: 40% Final exam: 40% Reading (BCG & PL): 10% Memory verses: 10% N.B. Reading the New Testament is an essential course requirement! Noncompliance will be penalized as follows: Less than 90% completion of this requirement will result in a one grade penalty. Less than 80% completion will result in a two grade penalty. Less than 70% completion will result in automatic failure. 2

3 Projected Course Schedule: February 2 Course Introduction BCG: chs. 1-3 Synoptic Gospels, part 1 NT: Matt, Mark, Luke; BCG: chs. 5- Synoptic Gospels, part 2 10; PL: pp February 9 Gospel of John NT: John; BCG: ch. 11 February 16 Acts NT: Acts; BCG: chs. 4,12-13; PL: pp February 23 NO CLASS-Reading Week March 2 MID-TERM EXAM James NT: James; BCG: ch. 22 Paul s Letters to the Thessalonians NT: 1 & 2 Thess; BCG: ch. 15 March 9 Paul s Hauptbriefe (Romans, NT: Romans, 1 & 2 Cor, Gal; BCG: 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians) chs. 14, March 16 Paul s Prison Letters NT: Eph, Col, Phil, Phlm; BCG: chs March 23 NO CLASS-Reading Week March 30 Paul s Pastoral Letters NT: 1 & 2 Tim, Tit; BCG: ch. 21 April 6 John s Letters NT: 1-3 Joh; BCG: ch. 25 April 13 Peter and Jude s Letters NT: 1 & 2 Peter, Jude; BCG: ch. 24 Hebrews NT: Hebrews; BCG: ch. 23 April 20 NO CLASS April 27 Revelation NT: Revelation; BCG: ch. 26; PL: pp Summary and Evaluation FINAL EXAM Taping, Copying, and Exchanging of Computer Files: Students may tape course lectures and discussion for the purpose of individual study only. No course materials, including handouts and PowerPoint presentations in addition to tapes, may be given to third parties without the express consent of the instructor. Contact Information: Address: 25 Leverett St., Gloucester, MA jwhite@gcts.edu (for general questions) Tel. Nr.: (for urgent matters) Appointments: In lieu of regular offices hours, I am happy to make appointments before (for lunch) and after Wednesday class hours. 3

4 The Books of the New Testament (chronologically ordered) Book Author Date of Composition Place of Composition Recipient Themes Key Verse James James, the brother of the Lord ca. 45 AD Jerusalem Jewish Christian communities in the Diaspora (Syria?) perseverence in the faith despite trials James 1:2-4 Galatians Paul ca. 49 AD (after first Antioch Christians in the province of Galatia justification by faith Gal. 5:1 1st Thessalonians Paul 50 AD (during second Corinth the church in Thessalonica encouragement, information about the parousia 1Thess 1:9-10 2nd Thessalonians Paul AD (during second Corinth the church in Thessalonica correction of an eschatological heresy 2Thess 1:6-7 Colossians Paul ca. 54 AD (in prison) Ephesus Church in Colossia the glory of Christ Col 2:9-10 Philemon Paul ca. 54 AD (in prison) Ephesus Philemon and his house church Ephesians Paul ca. 54 AD (in prison) Ephesus Christians in and around Ephesus intercession for the slave Onesimus the identity and calling of the church -- Eph 4:15 1st Corinthians Paul ca. 55 AD (during third Ephesus the church in Corinth formation of Christian identity, ethics 1st Cor 1:10 4

5 2nd Corinthians Paul ca. 56 AD (during third Macedonia the church in Corinth paul's apostolic authority; collection for Jerusalem 2nd Cor 4:5 Romans Paul ca. 57 AD (during his third Corinth the church(es) in Rome explanation and defense of Paul s Gospel Rom 1:16-17 Gospel of Mark Mark before 60 AD Rome interested non- Christians in Rome Philippians Paul AD Rome the church in Philippi Jesus, Messiah and Son of God joy in the face of persecution Mk 8:29; 15:39 Phil 4:4 Gospel of Luke Luke ca. 62 AD? (Rome, Achaia) Theophilus and interessted Gentiles the Gospel of salvation Lk 19:10 Acts Luke AD? (Rome, Achaia) Theophilus and interested Gentiles the birth of the Church; mission to the Gentiles Acts 1:8 1st Timothy Paul AD? Timothy guidelines for the Church 1Tim 3:15 Titus Paul AD Crete or Achaia Titus guidelines for ministering in the church Tit 2:1 2nd Timothy Paul AD Rome Timothy the need for healthy teaching and a virtuous life 2Tim 2:2 5

6 1st Peter Peter AD Rome Christians in Asia 2nd Peter Peter AD Rome Christians in Asia Jude Jude AD? Jewish Christians (?) standing firm in the midst of suffering warning concerning false teachers warning concerning false teachers 1Petr 4:13 2Petr 3:17-18 Jude 3 Hebrews? (Apollos, Barnabas) AD? Jewish Christians (in Rome?) the glory of Christ, the priesthood of Christ Heb 4:14 Gospel of Matthew Matthew vor 70 AD Antioch Jewish Christians in Syria Jesus, the Messiah Mt 28: st John John ca. 90 AD Ephesus Christians in Asia 2nd John? (the Elder) ca. 90 AD Ephesus a church in Asia the true faith 1John 4:4 life in the Faith -- 3rd John? (the Elder) ca. 90 AD Ephesus Gaius concerning good and bad leaders -- Gospel of John John AD Ephesus Christians in Asia Jesus, fully God and fully man John 20:30-31 Revelation John, (prob. the Apostle) ca. 95 AD Ephesus seven churches in Asia the final victory of God Rev. 5:13 6