Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Exploring the Book of Revelation Professor: Dr. Alvin Padilla Fall 2014 Office Hours M-F 8:30AM-5:00 PM Tel: 978-646-4603 email: apadilla@gcts.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION GOALS This is an English Bible exegesis course that introduces the tools and methods of biblical exegesis and applies them to the exegesis of Revelation. The student will learn the Greek and Hebrew alphabets and how to do basic word studies in Greek and Hebrew. The student will be introduced to the bibliographic tools for biblical exegesis and research. The student will learn a basic method for doing biblical exegesis. The student will be introduced to major interpretative and theological issues related to apocalyptic literature in general and the Book of Revelation in particular. The student will exegete a passage in the book of Revelation and will demonstrate an understanding of introductory issues the overall message of the book and of understanding of Revelation REQUIRED TEXTS It is assumed that the student will have a good study Bible and a number of modern day versions (Englsih, Spanish, or any other modern language) for his/her use. Duvall, J. Scott, and Hays, J. Daniel. Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. ISBN-13: 978-0310492573 Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation. (New International Commentary on the NT). Revised Edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN-13: 978-0802825377 Pate, C. Marvin. Four Views on the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998. ISBN-13: 978-0310210801 Recommended: Fee, Gordon and Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981. Michaels, J. Ramsey. Interpreting the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker,
Revelation in depth / 2 Mounce, William D. Greek for the Rest of Us: Mastering Bible Study without Mastering Biblical Languages. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Greek (and Hebrew) exercises: These serve to reinforce the student s familiarity with the Greek and Hebrew alphabets, their ability to find words organized alphabetically in reference works, their familiarity with those reference works and their ability to work with transliterated Greek and Hebrew words. November 6 2. Word/concept studies: The student shall write two word-studies, one based on a Greek word and one based on a Hebrew word. For each study the student should carry out an inductive study of the original texts and then consult the relevant secondary literature. Due November 9 th 3. Exegesis paper: The student will prepare an exegesis paper dealing with a passage in Revelation. The paper will discuss the meanings of key words and concepts, grammatical issues (as mentioned in the grammars and commentaries), the structure of the passage, and the author s purpose in writing the passage. The student will propose and defend a subject, complement and exegetical idea for the text, and discuss the original relevance and a (post-)modern application of the text. Due December 16 4. New Testament Theology paper. The student will prepare a theology paper on his/her position relative to the millenium. The paper reflect a thorough acquaintance with Revelation 20:1-4 and the various millenial views evident in Christian theology(ies). Due December 16 5. Exegetical notebook: Following the Four steps recommended by Duvall/Hays text. Due December 16. Due to the nature of the requirment, the student will not be permitted to hand in his/her exegetical notebook beyond this date. Hand in whatever you have done so far. COURSE EVALUATION Class requirement Grade percentage a) Greek exercises 15% b) Greek word/concept study 15% c) New Testament Theology paper 15% d) Exegesis paper 35% e) Exegetical notebook 20% 100
Revelation in depth / 3 Projected course outline: F Introduction to the course and its objectives Introduction to the Greek Alphabet and basic verbal structure Introduction to the Hebrew Alphabet and basic verbal structure Overview of the Exegetical-Hermeneutical process Introduction to Bible Works and other exegetical tools (translations, versions, interlinears, analytical lexicons, concordances, etc.) Revelation 1 Revelation 2-3 Revelation 4-6 Revelation 7-11 Revelation 12-16 Revelation 17-20 Exegetical notebook: Due december 16
Revelation in depth / 4 Introduction Bibliography Brown, R. E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997. Carson, D. A., Moo, D. J., and Morris, L. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992. Gundry, R. A Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994 3. Guthrie, D. New Testament Introduction. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity, 1990 4. Johnson, Luke Timothy (with the assistance of Todd C. Penner). The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. Revised edition. Minneapolis, Fortress, 1999. Bibles/New Testaments McReynolds, Paul R., ed. Word Study Greek-English New Testament: A Literal, Interlinear Word Study of the Greek New Testament United Bible Societies Third Corrected Edition with New Revised Standard Version, New Testament, and Word Study Concordance. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1998. Mounce, William D., ed. The NIV English-Greek New Testament: A Reverse Interlinear. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible: New American Standard. Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 1990. Hebrew Concordances & Lexicons Brown, F., S.R. Driver, and C.A. Briggs. Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1979. Clines, David J. A. (ed.). The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew. 8 vols. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1993-. Even-Shoshan, E. A New Concordance of the Old Testament Using the Hebrew and Aramaic Text. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. Holladay, W.L. A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1971. Koehler, L., and W. Baumgartner et al. (eds.). The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. 3rd ed. 5 vols. Brill, 1994-2001. Kohlenberger, John R., III, and Swanson, James A., eds. The Hebrew English Concordance to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998. Old Testament Biblical-Theological Dictionaries Botterweck, G. J., H. Ringgren, H.-J. Fabry (eds.). Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977-. Harris, R.L., G.L. Archer, Jr., and B.K. Waltke (eds.). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. 2 vols. Chicago: Moody, 1980.
Revelation in depth / 5 Jenni, E. and C. Westermann (eds.). Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament. 3 vols. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1997. VanGemeren, Willem A. (ed.). New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. 5 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997. Hebrew Grammar Pratico, Gary D., and Miles V. Van Pelt. The Basics of Biblical Hebrew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. Waltke, B.K., and M. O Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Eisenbrauns, 1990. An integration of modern linguistic approaches. Greek Concordances & Lexicons Bauer, W. (Danker/Arndt/Gingrich). A Greek-English Lexicon. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 2000 3. Computer Concordance to the Novum Testamentum Graece of Nestle-Aland, 26th ed. and to the Greek New Testament, 3d ed. Berlin: de Gruyter, 1985 2. Kohlenberger, John R., III; Goodrick, Edward; and Swanson, James A., eds. The Greek- English Concordance to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997. Liddell, H. G. and Scott, R. A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. Oxford: Clarendon, 1925-40; repr. 1968. 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, 1988. New Testament Biblical-Theological Dictionaries Balz, H. and Schneider, G., ed. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 3 vols. GRAND RAPIDS: Eerdmans, 1990-93. Brown, C., ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975-1978. Kittel, G. and Friedrich, G., ed. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 10 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964-76. Kittel and Friedrich, ed. and abridged by G. Bromiley. TDNT, 1 vol. edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985. Spicq, Ceslas. Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. Trans. James D. Ernest. 3 Vols. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1995. Greek Grammar Mounce, William. The Basics of Biblical Greek. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993. Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. Lexical Semantics Louw, Johannes P. Semantics of New Testament Greek. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1982.
Revelation in depth / 6 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, 1992. Silva, Moisés. Biblical Words and Their Meaning: An Introduction to Lexical Semantics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1983. Semantic Structure Analysis Beekman, John, and John Callow. Translating the Word of God. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974; pages 267-342. Kopesec, Michael F.; Callow, John C.; and Beekman, John. The Semantic Structure of Written Communication. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics, 1981. Loos, Eugene, ed. Logical Relations in Discourse. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics, 1999. Historical-Cultural Background Barnett, P. Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1999. Boring, M. Eugene; Berger, Klaus; and Colpe, Carsten, eds. Hellenistic Commentary to the New Testament. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995. Bromiley, G. W., ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, revised, 4 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979-86. Bruce, F. F. New Testament History. London: Nelson; Garden City, New York: Doubleday, 1969. DeSilva, David A. Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture. Downers Grove, InverVarsity, 2000. Evans, Craig, A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000. Ferguson, E. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993 2. Freedman, D. N., ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 6 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1993. Green, J. B., et al. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1992. Hawthorne, G. F., et. al. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993. Jeffers, J. S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1999 Keener, C.S. The IVP Biblical Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1993. Koester, H. Introduction to the New Testament. Vol. 1: History, Culture, and Religion of the Hellenistic Age. Berlin/New York: de Gruyter; Philadelphia: Fortress, 1995 2. Martin, R. P. and P. H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998. Wright, N. T. The New Testament and the People of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.
Revelation in depth / 7 Theology Alexander, D. and B. S. Rosner, eds. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000. Caird, G. B. (Completed and edited by L. D. Hurst). New Testament Theology. Oxford, UK: Clarendon, 1994. Dunn, J. D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. Goppelt, L. Theology of the New Testament. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981-1982. Guthrie, D. New Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1981. Ladd, G. E. A Theology of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974; rev. ed 1993. Morris, L. New Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986. Biblical Interpretation Bray, G. Biblical Interpretation: Past and Present. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1996. Carson, Donald A. Exegetical Fallacies. Baker Books, 1984. Dockery, D. et al., eds. Foundations for Biblical Interpretation. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994. Dockery, D. and Black, D., eds. New Testament Criticism and Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991. Fee, Gordon, and Douglas Stuart. Rapids: Zondervan, 1981. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Grand Green, J.B., ed. Hearing the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. Klein, W. W., Blomberg, C. L., and Hubbard, R. L., Jr. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Dallas: Word, 1993. Marshall, I. H., ed. New Testament Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977. Osborne, G. The Hermeneutical Spiral. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1991. Porter, S.E. and Tombs, D., eds. Approaches to New Testament Study. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995. Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. 2 nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001. Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Is There a Meaning in this Text? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998. Webb, William J. Slaves, Women and Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2001.