NT 502: Interpreting the New Testament I. Course Description II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum III. Course Objectives

Transcription

1 NT 502: Interpreting the New Testament Mon, Wed and Fri, 1-4pm Gerry Wheaton, Office #124 Phone: Office Hours: By appointment. I. Course Description Students who have completed at least one term of Greek are introduced to the tools and methods of exegesis. Attention is given to the history of the New Testament text (textual criticism), the bibliographic tools for exegesis and the method and procedures of interpretation. Students prepare exegesis papers on the basis of the Greek text. Students who have not had Greek may take this course only with the permission of the professor. M.Div. students must complete GL 502 before or during this course. II. Course Relationship to the Curriculum NT 502 is a required course for M. Div. students as well as students who are pursuing an M.A. in New Testament. This class assumes at least one term of Basic Greek but may be taken in conjunction with Basic Greek II. It further serves as a prerequisite for Greek exegesis classes. III. Course Objectives (Note: The following course objectives all relate directly to both the first and second articles of the GCTS mission statement and thereby indirectly support the remaining articles of that statement.) Upon completion of the course, the student will have: 1. Recognized the value of exegesis for discerning the meaning of biblical texts. 2. Demonstrated an understanding of the basic tools and methods of biblical exegesis. 3. Demonstrated an ability to exegete and apply a New Testament text. 4. Specifically, during the course the student will demonstrate: a. An understanding of the textual criticism and an ability to analyze textual-critical problems. b. An understanding of the issues involved in the study of words and concepts in the Greek New Testament and an ability carry out such studies. c. An ability to carry out a study of background issues related to New Testament texts. d. An ability to carry out a grammatical analysis of New Testament texts. e. An ability to analyze and evaluate arguments in favor of opposing exegetical positions. f. An ability to synthesize the results of an exegetical study and present a coherent interpretation of a text which highlights those observations and exegetical decisions/insights which are most important for coming to a proper understanding and application of the text.

2 IV. Course Texts Required Texts: Greek New Testament, either UBS 4 or NA 27 Grant R. Osborne, The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Second edition. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, David Desilva, An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation, IVP, Klyne Snodgrass, Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus, Eerdmans, Bruce Manning Metzger and Bart D. Ehrman, The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration. New York: Oxford University Press, William J. Webb, Slaves, Women and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, Recommended Texts: Gordon Fee, New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. 3 rd edition. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 3 rd edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Robert H. Stein, Studying the Synoptic Gospels. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, Darrell L.Bock and Buist M. Fanning, eds. Interpreting the New Testament Text Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, Mark Allan Powell. What is Narrative Criticism? Guides to Biblical Scholarship. Minneapolis Fortress, Michael F. Kopesec, John C. Callow, and John Beekman, The Semantic Structure of Written Communication. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics, Peter Cottrell and Max Turner, Linguistics & Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, V. Course Requirements and Grading Student evaluation will be based on the completion of the following course elements: 1. Observations and Outline (10%) 2. An analysis of a text-critical problem (10%) 3. A background study (10%). 4. An 8-10 page exegesis paper (70%). VI. Academic Policies Due dates

3 Due dates for most assignments are indicated in the Course Outline. Late work will be penalized 1 full grade-point per day (A > B, etc.). The due date for final papers is the last day of Summer I June 12, Only the registration office can give an extension beyond that date. Inductive Study The final paper must demonstrate the use of the tools/steps/methods taught in this course. A paper that primarily reflects a selection of insights from commentaries or other secondary sources will not be acceptable. Plagiarism All use of sources must be properly indicated. Read the document on plagiarism carefully and remember that use of authors words is indicated with quotation marks and a footnote and use of their ideas, but not their words, is indicated with a footnote. VII. Matters of schedule: a. No class: Mon, May 25 Course Schedule (Subject to change at professor s discretion) Class Date Topic Reading/Assignments 1 Mon. May 18 Introduction, Boundaries, Translation 3 Wed. May 20 Text Criticism and Greco-Roman Backgrounds 4 Fri. May 22 Jewish Backgrounds Introduction to NA 27 Metzger, 3-16, , Submit assignment #1 DeSilva, chs 2-3; Osborne, ch. 5; Bauckham, The Relevance of Extra-Canonical Jewish Texts (posted on CAMS) Submit assignment #2 DeSilva, ch 4; Stein, Synoptic Gospels, (on CAMS); Blomberg, Form Criticism, DPL (on CAMS); Stein, Synoptic Problem, DPL (on CAMS) 5 Wed. May 27 6 Fri. May 29 Gospels (Synoptic Problem) Gospels and Acts (Narrative Texts) Osborne, ch 7; Webb, Part I Submit assignment #3 Snodgrass, 1-60, , Mon. June 1 8 Wed. June 3 Gospels (Parables) Matthew 25:1-13 Old Testament Backgrounds (Quotations, Allusions, Images) Osborne, ch. 14 ; Introduction to Beale and Carson, eds., CNTUOT; Webb, Part II Osborne, ch 3

4 John 6:1-15 Fri. June 5 Lexical Semantics and Word Studies Osborne, ch 13; Webb, Part III 9 Mon. June 8 Epistles and Issues of Application (discussion of Webb) Overview of Assignments: Assignment #1 Observations and Outline Read 1 John through twice in one sitting. Then list 45 observations on 1 John 1:5: 15 observations on 1:5; 15 observations on the preceding context; 15 observations on the following context (the rest of the book). Be sure to make observations NOT interpretations. (Ask yourself: Could anyone conceivably object to this observation? If so, it is not an observation but an interpretation!) For the inspiration behind this, see Provide a detailed, one-page (or shorter) outline of 1 John. Assignment #2 Textual Criticism Fellowship with one another or with him? Based on the readings, and utilizing the charts and questions provided in the Reference Charts, analyze the question of the first variation unit found for John 1:18 in NA 27. For help see: Assignment #3 Jewish Backgrounds Following the orientation given in class, 1) study and summarize the differing positions on a Jewish husband s legal grounds for divorce as understood by Philo, Josephus, Shammai and Hillel, and the Qumran community, citing the most helpful texts for establishing the view of each one, and indicate what OT text(s), if any, each one seems to use as the basis for their view. This should not normally be any more than three pages long (papers exceeding four pages in length will not be accepted). 1. Search phe and joe in BibleWorks for >.divorc*< and study the texts of Philo and Josephus that are discovered. 2. Search an English translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls for divorce (see the second and third links on this page: and see what the texts say. Then read the entry on Marriage and Divorce in the reference volume Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls (edited by Lawrence H. Schiffman and James C. VanderKam; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 2000) as well as pages of Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible: The Social and Literary Context (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002) by David Instone-Brewer. 3. Read the Mishnah tractate Gittin (I recommend Danby s translation but Neusner s may also be used) to discover the views of Hillel and Shammai. 4. Remember, you are only to report on the grounds for divorce, not the ins and outs of the acceptable and inacceptable procedures used to secure a divorce (e.g., do not focus on who can write the bill of divorce or how it has to be delivered, etc.).

5 5. List all the.divorc* texts of Philo and Josephus as well as any relevant texts from the Dead Sea Scrolls but only comment on the ones that shed light on the question of their view of proper grounds and/or any scriptural basis for their view. Summarize the contrasting views of Instone-Brewer and the Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls in one sentence for each. Cite the most important text(s) in m. Gittin for the views of Hillel and Shammai and any scriptural text they may have used for their basis. Final Paper: Before the end of the last day for submitting written work the student should submit a 9-10 page exegesis paper on a passage of the student s choice (to be approved by the professor). In that paper the student should reflect the following steps with steps 1-5 carried out in an introductory section of the paper, steps 6-10 in the main body of the paper in commentary style (along the lines of Harpers [or Black s] NT Commentary Series [see the posted sample exegesis papers]), and steps left for a concluding section of the paper. 1. Briefly explain the introductory issues (especially the occasion) of the book in which your passage is found. 2. Establish the coherence and boundaries of the passage. 3. Explain the role of your passage within the framework of the argument of the book and/or section in which it is found. 4. Establish the original text. (This is to be done early on but the discussion of textual issues should be reserved for footnotes to the text within the commentary section of the paper, along with steps Especially important textual issues may merit some discussion in the body of the paper.) (1-3 charts should be supplied in an appendix.) 5. Prepare a translation of the text that reflects the results of the exegesis. 6. Discuss complex, unusual or particularly important features of the grammar of the passage (any diagrams should be attached as appendices). 7. Explain important aspects of the historical and literary context. 8. Explain important or unusual words and concepts including scriptural and/or cultural backgrounds that inform them. 9. Explain the Semantic Structure of the passage (with a chart or diagram as an appendix). 10. Discuss rhetorical features of the passage. 11. Propose and defend your understanding of the author s exegetical idea and purpose. 12. Discuss the relevance of the text in its original context and its relevance/application to the context(s) of (post? -) modern readers. The exegesis paper should also: 1. Include a bibliography (in alphabetical order) of at least 15 works cited in the footnotes, including advanced grammars*, theological dictionaries, scholarly commentaries, articles from theological journals, and scholarly monographs. [Note: dictionary articles should be listed under the name of the author of the article, not under the name of the editor of the dictionary.]

6 2. Be typed, double-spaced (except extended quotes and footnotes), in Times New Roman font size 12, with pagination, one-inch margins, footnotes, bibliography and proper recognition given to all sources of words or ideas found in the body of the paper. 3. Conform to The SBL Handbook of Style (edited by Patrick H. Alexander et al. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, [PN147.S ]). *Advanced grammars include Robertson, Funk (BDF), Zerwick, Moulton and Howard, Wallace. Criteria for evaluation of final papers Topic Comments Are there spelling or grammatical problems? Be sure to proof-read your paper! Is the writing consistently clear and If you need editorial help, get it. coherent? Is the paper paginated? It should be! Is the paper too long or short (correct Do not change margins from 1 inch or use other than size 12 font (Times margins/fonts)? New Roman or equiv). Footnotes should be single-spaced with size 10 font (adjust Greek and Hebrew to be equivalent). Does it follow the SBL Style Handbook? Are references to dictionary and journal articles properly formatted? Is the Bibliography in proper alphabetical order? By last name. See SBL handbook. Does the paper show familiarity with both primary and secondary sources (including advanced grammars and lexicons, periodical literature, monographs, theological dictionaries, and critical commentaries on the original texts)? Check out style for footnotes, bibliographies, etc. Titles of articles in journals are put between quotation marks, journal titles or abbreviations of same are italicized. Dictionary articles should cite author of the article and give the article title in quotes. This is where you show the level of research you carried out. Ask the library staff for help in finding articles or monographs on your text/subject. When using commentaries, focus on those that discuss features of the original text (critical commentaries). Other technical issues: Do not use authors words without quotation marks! Is the paper securely stapled with this sheet attached at the back and with your name and box number on the cover sheet? Please do not use special covers. They complicate things. Be careful not to incorporate Greek words or phrases into English sentences improperly. To have a coherent sentence you may need to use infinitive or nominative forms of Greek words rather than those used by the author. For example, a sentence such as Paul says we should βλέπω how we walk makes no sense whatsoever! Be sure to acknowledge your sources! Always, in every section. Does the discussion of boundaries and coherence mention specific linguistic evidence in favor of the proposed text division? Is the translation overly free or overly wooden? Does it have inappropriate parentheses or brackets? Do list those who divide the text one way or another. Give specific evidence for or against possible divisions. You must decide on the original text and whether to provide objects, etc., or translate brother or sister. Do not put things in parentheses unless you think the text makes a parenthetical comment. Consult the advanced grammars. Careful about making statements about verbal aspect that are not properly supported. Do grammatical discussions show linguistic and sophistication? Do word studies reflect knowledge of primary and secondary texts, show lexicographical care and avoid word-study

7 fallacies? Do text-critical discussions provide brief but sufficient detail (primary support for each variant, perhaps in footnotes)? Are background and theological issues If your text cites the OT be sure to study that text in context and other sufficiently investigated? ancient interpretations of the same. Is the structure of the passage made clear? SSA or a form-critical or narratological analysis, depending on the text and your training. Is there a clear conclusion discussing the The main idea of this text is that. Idea/Purpose/Relevance-Application of [Paul/Matthew] hoped that after this text was read the hearers would the text?. Defend each, and explain why it was relevant then and now. BIBLIOGRAPHY (COMPILED BY PROF. CIAMPA) Items marked with an asterisk [*] are of particular importance. Introduction *Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, *Carson, Donald A., Moo, Douglas J., and Morris, Leon. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Gundry, Robert. A Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity, Textual Criticism *Aland, Kurt, and Barbara Aland. The Text of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Ehrman, Bart D. The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament. New York & Oxford: Oxford University Press, Greenlee, J. H. Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism. Peabody: Hendrickson, *Metzger, Bruce Manning, and Bart D. Ehrman, The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption, and Restoration. New York: Oxford University Press, *Metzger, Bruce. M. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. London & New York: United Bible Societies, Lexical Analysis *Balz, H. and Schneider, G., ed. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, *Bauer, W. (Danker/Arndt/Gingrich). A Greek-English Lexicon. Chicago: Chicago University Press,

8 Brown, Colin, ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Computer Concordance to the Novum Testamentum Graece of Nestle-Aland, 26 th ed. and to the Greek New Testament, 3 rd ed. Berlin: de Gruyter, Kittel, G. and Friedrich, G., ed. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 10 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Kittel and Friedrich, ed. and abridged by G. Bromiley. TDNT, 1 vol. edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Liddell, H. G. and Scott, R. A Greek-English Lexicon, 9 th ed. Oxford: Clarendon, ; repr Louw, Johannes P. Semantics of New Testament Greek. Atlanta: Scholars Press, Louw, Johannes. P. and Nida, E. A. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, 2 vols. New York: United Bible Societies, Nida, Eugene A., and Johannes P. Louw. Lexical Semantics of the Greek New Testament: A Supplement to the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains. SBL Resources for Biblical Study 25. Atlanta: Scholars Press, Silva, Moisés. Biblical Words and Their Meaning: An Introduction to Lexical Semantics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Spicq, Ceslas. Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. Trans. James D. Ernest. 3 Vols. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, Grammar *Blass, F., Debrunner, A., and R. Funk. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Fanning, Buist M. Verbal Aspect in New Testament Greek. Oxford: Clarendon Press, Funk, Robert W. A Beginning-Intermediate Grammar of Hellenistic Greek, 3 vols. Missoula: Scholars Press, *Levinsohn, Stephen H. Discourse Features of New Testament Greek: A Coursebook. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics, Moule, C. F. D. An Idiom Book of New Testament Greek. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Moulton, J.H., Howard, W.F., and Turner, Nigel. Grammar of New Testament Greek (4 vols.). Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, Mounce, William D. A Graded Reader of Biblical Greek. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Olsen, Mari Broman. A Semantic and Pragmatic Model of Lexical and Grammatical Aspect. New York: Garland, Porter, Stanley E. Idioms of the Greek New Testament. Biblical Languages: Greek 2. Sheffield: JSOT Press, Verbal Aspect in the Greek of the New Testament, With Reference to Tense & Mood. Peter Lang, 1993.

9 Robertson, A. T. A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research. 3 rd edition. London: Hodder & Stoughton, *Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Zerwick, Maximillian. Biblical Greek Illustrated by Examples. Rome: Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblico, Semantic Structure Analysis Beekman, John, and John Callow. Translating the Word of God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974; pages Kopesec, Michael F.; Callow, John C.; and Beekman, John. The Semantic Structure of Written Communication. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics, Loos, Eugene, ed. Logical Relations in Discourse. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics, Historical-Cultural Background *Arnold, Clinton E., ed. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. 4 vols. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, Barnett, Paul. Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Boring, M. Eugene; Berger, Klaus; and Colpe, Carsten, eds. Hellenistic Commentary to the New Testament. Nashville: Abingdon, *Bromiley, George W., ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, revised, 4 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Bruce, F. F. New Testament History. London: Nelson; Garden City, New York: Doubleday, DeSilva, David A. Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture. Downers Grove, InverVarsity, *Evans, Craig A., ed. The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary. Bible Knowledge Series. 3 vols. Colorado Springs: Victor, *Evans, Craig, A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, *Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, *Freedman, David Noel, ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 6 vols. New York: Doubleday, *Green, Joel B., et al. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, *Hawthorne, Gerald F., et. al. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Jeffers, J. S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1999 *Keener, Craig S. The IVP Biblical Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1993.

10 Koester, H. Introduction to the New Testament. Vol. 1: History, Culture, and Religion of the Hellenistic Age. Berlin/New York: de Gruyter; Philadelphia: Fortress, Theology *Martin, Ralp P. and Peter H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Wright, N. T. The New Testament and the People of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, Caird, G. B. (Completed and edited by L. D. Hurst). New Testament Theology. Oxford, UK: Clarendon, Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Goppelt, Leopold. Theology of the New Testament. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, *Gorman, Michael J. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and His Letters. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Hafemann, Scott J., ed. Biblical Theology: Retrospect and Prospect. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, Hafemann, Scott J., and Paul R. House, eds. Central Themes in Biblical Theology: Mapping Unity in Diversity. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, *Ladd, George E. A Theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974; rev. ed Marshall, I. Howard. New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, Morris, Leon. New Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, *Schreiner, Thomas R. Paul: Apostle of God s Glory in Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker, Thielman, Frank. Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic Approach. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, Biblical Interpretation Bray, Gerald. Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Carson, Donald A. Exegetical Fallacies. Baker Books, Dockery, David et al., eds. Foundations for Biblical Interpretation. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, Dockery, David, and Black, David Alan, eds. New Testament Criticism and Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Fee, Gordon, and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Green, Joel B., ed. Hearing the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Greidanus, Sidney. The Modern Preacher and the Ancient Text: Interpreting and Preaching Biblical Literature. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

11 Guthrie, George H. and Duvall, J. Scott. Biblical Greek Exegesis: A Graded Approach to Learning Intermediate and Advanced Greek. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Klein, William W., Blomberg, Craig L., and Hubbard, Robert L., Jr. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Dallas: Word, Marshall, I. Howard, ed. New Testament Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, McKnight, S. and Grant R. Osborne, eds. The Face of New Testament Studies. Grand Rapids: Baker, *Osborne, Grant. The Hermeneutical Spiral. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Porter, Stanley E., ed. A Handbook to the Exegesis of the New Testament. New Testament Tools and Studies, 25. Leiden: Brill, Porter, Stanley E. and Tombs, D., eds. Approaches to New Testament Study. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Academic Press, Powell, Mark Allan. What is Narrative Criticism? Guides to Biblical Scholarship. Minneapolis: Fortress, Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. 2 nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker, Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in this Text? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, Webb, William J. Slaves, Women and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2001.