NT 640 (Urban) Exegesis of First Peter (Boston Campus) Aida Besançon Spencer 10 Maple St., S. Hamilton, MA 01982 (978-646-4084) 1 An exegetical study of the Greek text, with attention to the unique theological themes, structure, and historical context of I Peter, and its application to today. Even though Christianity is legal in the United States, Christianity is not always understood or appreciated. I Peter addresses a similar situation. How can Christians live in a potentially antagonistic culture? It is a letter that especially deals with suffering, imagery, use of the Old Testament, roles, apologetics, spiritual gifts, and ministry. This class will review Greek grammar, interpretation methodology, the use of Greco-Roman and Jewish references, and the application of the text to today. We will delve into the theological themes of I Peter by understanding Peter more, the historical context, and the structure and beauty of the letter. NT 502 and Greek I, II are prerequisites. (Bible in translation with permission of Registrar.) General Goals: 1. (cognitive knowledge) To increase an understanding of the structure and theology of the First Letter of Peter in its historical milieu as basis for application today. 2. (methodological practice) To use grammar, literary style and context, and historical references more to interpret the New Testament. 3. To increase estimation of and facility in Greek. 4. (general skill) To encourage becoming creative, original, careful scholars who employ primary source materials and who allow their conclusions to flow from a careful and accurate reading of the text. 5. (affective goal) To further an enjoyment and awe of God and of the New
Testament. 2 This course addresses the Gordon-Conwell mission statement by: 1. Encouraging students to become more knowledgeable of the structure and theology of 1 Peter in its historical milieu and more competent in using interpretative and application skills learned in NT 502 and Greek 1 and 2 (mission goal 1); 2. Introducing students to the Christian scholarship issues in 1 Peter (goal 2); 3. Helping students mature in their character, outlook, conduct, relationships, and involvement in society by the teacher s model, class dialogue, mentoring opportunities, and prayer (goal 4); 4. Providing resources and strategies that will lead to effective local and global ministry, missions, evangelism, and discipleship as evident in 1 Peter (goals 3, 5, 6). Textbooks: 1. A Greek Bible. K. Aland and others. The New Testament in Greek, bound with Greek-English Dictionary. 4th ed. rev. New York: American Bible Society, 2001. (978-3-438-05113-4) 2. Sakae Kubo. A Reader's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975. PA 881.K8 (0310-26920-2) or Michael H. Burer and Jeffrey E. Miller. A New Reader s Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008. (978-0-8254-2009-2) Readings will be made in: Eusebius. The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine. Trans. G. A. Williamson. New York: Penguin, 1989. BR 160.E5 W676 (0-14- 044535-8) or Eusebius: The Church History. Trans. Paul L. Maier. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1999 (0-8254-3328-2) (Spanish trans. Also available)
Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge: Harvard University Press: 1927-28: Tacitus V. Annals. (0-674-99355-6/1) Aristotle XXI. Politics. (0-674- 99291-7) Oppian (Colluthus, Tryphiodorus). Halieutica. (0-674-99241-5) Josephus. The Jewish War. Books V-VII (0-674-99569-7/4) or The Works of Josephus. Trans. W. Whiston. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987) (updated version with Loeb numbering) 3 The Mishnah. Trans. H. Danby. Oxford: Oxford University, 1933 (0-19815402x) or Trans. J. Neusner (David Alan Black and David S. Dockery, eds. New Testament Criticism and Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991. BS 2331.N475 OP) Fowler, James W. Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning. San Francisco: Harper, 1981. (Part 4) BV 4637.F664 (0-06-062866-9) Aida Besancon Spencer and William David Spencer. Joy through the Night: Biblical Resources on Suffering. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 1994 [InterVarsity] BS 680.S854S74 (978-1-55635-502-8). The Global God: Multicultural Evangelical Views of God. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. (ch. 4) BT102.G574 (0-8010-2163-4). Paul's Literary Style. Lanham: University Press of America, 1998, (part) (978-0-7618-3954-5) BS2650.2.S68 David L. Balch. Let Wives Be Submissive: The Domestic Code in I Peter. SBL Monograph Series 26. Atlanta: Scholars, 1981. (ch. 6) BS2795.2.B34 (0-89130-429-0) Recommended Supplemental Materials 1 or 2 commentaries as reference.
Aida Besancon Spencer. How to Write a N.T. Exegesis Paper. binder 4 and C.C. Kroeger. 1 Peter. The IVP Women s Bible Commentary. Eds. C.C. Kroeger and M. Evans. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2002. (0-8308-1437-x) Grammatical reference books. Nestle, Erwin, and others. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2001. Paul s R. McReynolds. Word Study Greek-English New Testament. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1998. Course Requirements: 1. Do a 2-5 pp. historical context study of I Peter (10%) due week 2 (Sept. 18, grace- postmark 9/29- Professor s home). 2. Do a "character" study (1 page) and outline (1 page) of I Peter (20%) due week 4 (Oct. 2, grace- postmark 10/6 Professor s home). Optional rewritten papers 1 and 2 due Nov. 6 or postmark 11/17. Include first draft and original cover sheet. 3. Complete an 8-13 page exegesis paper (50%) due week 8 (Oct. 30, grace- postmark 11/6). Include a stamped self-addressed envelope. Paper must include textual criticism, word, grammar, literary, and background studies, a 1-2 page application, and a bibliography of books used. Rewritten paper due by Dec.4. Include first draft and original cover sheet. Only papers handed in Oct. 30 are guaranteed the opportunity to redo. 4. a. Read I Peter in Greek, keeping a notebook of vocabulary and grammar not recognized, insights and questions from text (10%). Keep a list of similes and metaphors to describe God and the Christian. b. Complete two quizzes on Greek (5%). Highest grade will be recorded. If second quiz not taken, 10% penalty. The Biblical Division requires a passing grade for exegesis classes. 5. Complete all reading and class assignments (5%). 6. Th.M. students: read 2 Peter in Greek and at least 500pp. from bibliography, including all optional reading. Hand in 1 page book
review for each book of additional reading by last class day. 7. (15% replacing #4 & 5) English only students will read 1-2 additional books related to course (300 pp. minimum) and write book review(s) by last class and prepare 1-2 questions for Greek language students to answer at each translation time. 5 Extra Credit Assignment (for inbetween grades; required of Th.M. students): Read 2 Peter (3 chapters) in Greek, using a word list (but NOT a verse by verse analytical lexicon). Hand in list of Greek words and grammatical forms about which you were unsure - Due by last class.
Class Schedule 6 Week 1: (Sept. 11) A. Why is I Peter worth studying? Go over class syllabus - readings, requirements,. How to do historical and character studies. B. Review how to do exegesis paper. Assignments for next class: 1. Do historical context study of I Peter. 2. Read Mark or John, Acts 1-6:7; 8-13:3; 15; 16:6-8; 21:8-40; Gal. 1-2; I Cor. 1-3, 9, 15. Keep notes on Peter and his spiritual development. Reread 1, 2 Peter at the end. 3. Translate I Peter 1:1-12. Prepare for quiz. Do a sentence flow of 1:3-9. 4. Read Acts of Peter ch. 9 (30-41); Tacitus, Annals 15, 37-47; Eusebius, Church History 2, 25. 5. Optional: read ch. 18 on pseudonymity in New Testament Criticism. Week 2: (Sept. 18) A. Who Wrote I Peter? B. Quiz on I Peter 1:1-12. Class translation. Review sentence flow. 1. Translate I Peter 1:13-25. 2. Read Oppian's Halieutica III; IV. 172-241, 635-45 and skim read James Fowler, Stages of Faith, part IV. Week 3: (Sept. 25) A. How did Peter Spiritually Develop? What was a fisher's life? B. Class translation of I Peter 1:13-25. 1. Do a character study and outline of I Peter (keep a copy for next week in class). 2. Translate I Peter 2:1-10. Write down all similes and metaphors.
Do a sentence flow of 2:1-3. 3. Choose best text for I Peter 1:22: ek katharas kardias or ek kardias alethines or ek kardias? 4. Choose a text for final paper. 7 Week 4 (Oct. 2) A. How to choose the best reading? (review) B. Class translation of I Peter 2:1-10. C. What is the main purpose of I Peter (optional - group) 1. Translate I Peter 2:11-25. Continue to keep a list of similes and metaphors that describe God and Christians. 2. Read on temple in Old Testament (I Kings 6-8), in Mishnah Tamid and Middoth, and Josephus War 5, ch. 5. How is Jesus like a stone and Christians like the priesthood? 3. Find at least one newspaper article and show how you would use it in an outline of a sermon taken anywhere from I Peter, chs 1-2. 4. Write exegesis paper. 5. Optional: read ch. 8 on literary criticism in New Testament Criticism. Week 5 (Oct. 8-12) Reading Week No Classes Week 6 (Oct. 16) A. The Temple and a Royal Priesthood. B. Class translation of I Peter 2:11-25. Review structure of final paper. Open time for questions. Class shares potential illustrations and sermons. 1. Complete writing of final paper. 2. Translate I Peter 3:1-12. 3. Read Polycarp's martyrdom in Eusebius' History 4.15. 4. Read Ps. 34.
5. Read Joy through the Night, chs 1, 3, 4, 8 Week 7 (Oct. 23) A. Importance of Being a Stranger Week 8 (Oct. 30) B. Class translation of I Peter 3:1-12. Assignments; 1. Translate I Peter 3:13-22. (Review the optative and future participle.) 2. Read Aristotle, Politics 1, 2 on household management 3. Read Balch, Let Wives Be Submissive, ch 6. 4. Read God the Stranger ch 4 in The Global God. 5. Do sentence flow of 3:14b-15. A. The Roles of Wives and Husbands in the Context of I Peter. B. Sentence flow of I Peter 3:14b-15. 1. Translate I Peter 4:1-19. 2. Read Lori Johnson's paper: "A Stylistic Analysis of James 1:1-27 and I Peter 3:17-4:19" after reading Paul's Literary Style, pp. 21-28, 33-41. Week 9 (Nov. 6) A. Apologetics and Noah "He descended into Hell" (Class translation of I Peter 3:13-22) B. Class translation of I Peter 4:1-19. Assignment: 1. Translate I Peter 5:1-14. Prepare for quiz. Week 10 (Nov. 12-16) Reading Week No classes Week 11 (Nov. 20) your list of A. Spiritual Gifts B. Quiz. Class translation of I Peter 5. What did you learn from
9 similes and metaphors to describe God and Christians? 1.Find at least one newspaper article and show how you would use it in an outline of a sermon taken from your final text in 1 Peter. If you have not done so already, be prepared to share one key thought from your final paper. 2. Complete all reading and self-evaluation forms. All rewritten exegesis papers (original and original cover sheet and new draft) due by next class. Week 12 Nov. 27 No Class Week 13 (Dec. 4) A. Elders. The Plural Nature of Ministry. Class shares potential illustrations and sermons. B. Summary. Class shares key insights from papers and class. Evaluation. Week 14 (Dec. 11) Alternate class in case of cancellation