Steven C. Ibbotson, M. Div., Ph.D. (cand.) Office: FB 217 Email: steve.ibbotson@prairie.edu Phone: ext. 3266 or 443-1550 New Testament Exegesis Philippians (BI 257) Fall 2005 Wednesday & Friday from 8:00-9:15 am in FH 234 Course Website: http://instructor.prairie.edu/stevenibbotson/philippians/home.htm I. Course Description An exegesis of the book of Philippians with special emphasis on the application of the interpretive method learned in Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. You apply the methods learned in Introduction to Biblical Interpretation to this book that is important both theologically and practically. II. Course Rationale The course Introduction to Biblical Interpretation is designed to give you the basic principles and methods necessary for good exegesis. The Bible exegesis courses offered at PBC provide you with the opportunity to practice and develop your interpretation skills and understanding of God s Word. One of these Bible exegesis courses is Philippians. III. Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, you should be able to: Explain the background of the book of Philippians. Discuss the outline of the book of Philippians. Use good exegetical methodology for studying a New Testament epistle. Apply the teaching of Philippians to your personal life and ministry. IV. Course Textbook Thielman, Frank. The NIV Application Commentary. Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. Note: Prairie Bible College expects students to use the NASB or NKJV for Bible exegesis courses. Philippians (BI 257) page 1
This course will use a Team-Based Learning approach (see Michaelson, Knight, & Fink, 2002). Your instructor will provide further information on this approach, its benefits, and the expectations on you in the first few classes. V. Course Requirements Course Workbook You are expected to read the appropriate pages in the textbook as indicated in the Course Outline. Throughout the course, the instructor will also ask you to include various assignments relating to the text of Philippians. As you complete the reading and/or assignments, describe the important principles/concepts that you learned in a journal entry (approximately 50-100 words) in the Course Workbook. The purposes of the Course Workbook are to: keep you on track and accountable for reading in the textbook. help you become intimately familiar with the content of Philippians. assist you in seeing the relevance of Philippians to your daily life and ministry. At three points selected randomly in the course, your Course Workbook will be collected. The Course Workbook is worth 15% of your final grade. The Course Workbook will assist you in accomplishing course objectives 3 & 4. Course Project This Bible Exegesis course on Philippians is designed to take the principles used in Introduction to Biblical Interpretation and apply them towards a practical purpose. The Course Project is designed to ensure that when you have completed this course, you could take your study of Philippians and use it in a practical ministry setting. Thus, for the Course Project you will prepare a three session teaching unit that could be used for a youth retreat weekend, young adults retreat, church leadership retreat, etc. depending on your area of interest and opportunity. You will use one chapter of Philippians (2, 3, or 4) as your text. It is hoped that by the end of the course, after each student has completed their project, we will all be able to have a copy of each other s notes and thus have the full book of Philippians available, with insights from various students perspectives. In order to apply the Introduction to Biblical Interpretation skills, your Course Project will be completed in stages, corresponding to the various parts of the exegetical process. The Course Project will assist you in accomplishing all four course objectives. Part 1 Word Study Complete a Word Study on a key term found in the specific passage of Philippians you are studying for your exegetical paper and presentation. The Word Study will be completed in accordance with the Word Study Handout. The Word Study is due on September 21 and is worth 15% of your final grade. Philippians (BI 257) page 2
Part 2 Sentence Phrasing Analysis Each student will complete a Sentence Phrasing Analysis on their section of Philippians. The Sentence Phrasing Analysis must be completed in accordance with the standards discussed in class. The Sentence Phrasing Analysis will be due on September 28 and is worth 15% of your final grade. Part 3 Teaching Outlines Complete a Teaching Outline for each of your three sessions. Each teaching outline should include the following: A title for each session (noting the passage) A Main Idea sentence for each session An Introduction that arouses the learner s interest The main points of the session be sure it is clear how they relate to the Main Idea sentence An Illustration for each of the main points Two possible applications for each of the main points Indication of one word for which a Word Study would be especially beneficial Conclusion The Teaching Outline for each session should be one page in length (typed, neatly spaced). Sample Teaching Outlines are available on the course website. The Teaching Outlines are due on October 12 and are worth 15% of your final grade. Part 4 Exegetical Paper Write an Exegetical Paper of 6-8 pages in length on a specific passage within your section. The Exegetical Paper will put into prose (essay form) the results of the various stages of the exegetical process in a synthesized commentary on the passage. The Exegetical Paper must be completed in accordance with the following process: 1. Complete Parts 1, 2, & 3 above. 2. Come to a conclusion about the essential message of the passage and write it out. This single sentence becomes the foundation of your Exegetical Paper. Place this sentence at the beginning of your paper clearly identified with the heading Main Idea Sentence. 3. Write a 4-6 page first draft of the Exegetical Paper based upon your own word study, sentence phrasing analysis, etc. 4. Submit your first draft to the instructor at least one week before your Exegetical Paper is due. This paper will be given a cursory reading to make sure you are on track and then returned to the student within 24 hours. 5. After you have completed your first draft, you must then begin consulting other resources. Do not consult other resources (commentaries, articles, websites, etc.) before this point in the study. 6. Use a minimum of 6-8 sources for your research, including a minimum of four exegetical commentaries specifically on the book of Philippians (not one-volume New Testament commentaries). Philippians (BI 257) page 3
7. Revise the first draft of your Exegetical Paper based upon your consultation of other resources. Include a bibliography with your Exegetical Paper listing all the resources consulted. 8. Submit the Exegetical Paper on the day it is to be discussed in class. The Exegetical Paper will be evaluated according to the following scale: Completion of first draft one week before due date (5 points) Introduction interesting? explains relevance/importance of this passage? (5 points) Explanation of the passage including context, mechanical layout, word studies, etc. (60 points) Explanation of difficulties including textual variants, words, phrases, theological issues, etc. (10 points) Application personal? specific? individual and community? (10 points) Bibliography quantity of resources? quality of resources? appropriate format? (10 points) The Exegetical Paper is due on the day the passage is discussed in class and is worth 25% of the final grade. Part 5 Class Presentation Each student will present the teaching of their exegetical paper to the class in a creative presentation of approximately 15 minutes. This should not be a sermon or lecture. Your Class Presentation will be evaluated according to the following scale: Creativity of Presentation (10 points) Presentation Style good eye contact, enthusiasm, clarity, etc. (10 points) Clarity of the Main Idea sentence (30 points) Clarity of Teaching Outline main points (30 points) Application quality, relevance, concrete (20 points) Your presentation will be graded by your instructor and four other students. The five grades will be averaged together to give a final grade for the Class Presentation. Your presentation is due on the day the passage is discussed in class and is worth 15% of the final grade. Note: If a student is unable to present on the appropriate day, s/he loses 50% of the grade. Extra-Credit Assignment option Share your class presentation in a non-pbc setting relevant to the age group it is/was designed for. For example, you could share your class presentation with a Sunday School class at your local church, or in chapel at Prairie Christian Academy. An external supervisor (approved by the course instructor) will evaluate your presentation. This additional presentation must be completed by December 16. If you complete the extra-credit assignment with extraordinary excellence, you may receive a maximum 5% bonus to your final grade. Philippians (BI 257) page 4
VI. Course Grading Course Workbook 15% Word Study 15% Sentence Phrasing Analysis 15% Teaching Outlines 15% Exegetical Paper 25% Class Presentation 15% VII. Course Outline see next page VIII. Late Policy The due dates given for each assignment will be strictly adhered to. If you require an extension for a special reason, you must see the course instructor as soon as you anticipate a problem. The instructor will attempt to be as flexible as possible within the guidelines set forth in the Academic Guide so that you can successfully complete the course. Any assignments received late without prior consultation with the professor will be dealt with as outlined in the Academic Guide. IX. Course Attendance Regular attendance and participation are basic expectations of all college students. When you miss a class, you miss important learning and you deny other classmates the opportunity to learn from your contributions. Excessive absences will seriously jeopardize your ability to complete the class successfully. In accordance with the policy stated in the Academic Guide, students will be asked to sign the attendance chart each class. Students are permitted up to four (4) absences in a class that meets twice per week. Any subsequent unexcused absences result in the loss of 5% from your final grade for each absence. Philippians (BI 257) page 5
Course Outline Date Topics Assignment/Reading Due September 7 Introduction & Syllabus The Exegetical Process Spiritual Preparation September 9 Exegetical Process Historical Overview Thielman, pp. 7-32 September 14 Exegetical Process Literary Study & Translations Thielman, pp. 33-56 September 16 September 21 Exegetical Process Word Studies Exegetical Process Sentence Phrasing Analysis Word Study Due September 23 September 28 Exegetical Process Sentence Phrasing Analysis (continued) Exegetical Process Theological Study & Big Idea Sentence Phrasing Analysis Due September 30 Exegetical Process Application October 5 Philippians 1:1-11 October 7 Philippians 1:12-18a Thielman, pp. 57-73 October 12 Philippians 1:18b-26 Thielman, pp. 74-89 Teaching Outlines Due October 19 Philippians 1:27-2:4 Thielman, pp. 90-103 October 21 Philippians 2:5-11 Thielman, pp. 109-133 October 26 Philippians 2:12-18 Thielman, pp. 134-149 October 28 Philippians 2:19-30 Thielman, pp. 150-164 November 2 Philippians 3:1-11 Thielman, pp. 165-192 November 4 Philippians 3:12-4:1 Thielman, pp. 193-214 November 9 Philippians 3:12-4:1 (continued) November 16 Philippians 4:2-9 Thielman, pp. 215-232 November 18 Philippians 4:10-23 Thielman, pp. 233-245 November 23 November 25 November 30 December 2 December 7 December 9 Key Themes in Philippians Joy Key Themes in Philippians Suffering Key Themes in Philippians The Christian Mind Key Themes in Philippians Christology Key Themes in Philippians Eschatology Final Review of Philippians Philippians (BI 257) page 6
X. Bibliography *indicates a book that is on Reserve in the T. S. Rendall Library. Reference Bromiley, Geoffrey W., ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, rev. ed., 4 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979-86. Freedman, David Noel, ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 6 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1993. Hawthorne, Gerald F., Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1993. Marshall, I. Howard, et al., eds. The New Bible Dictionary, 3 rd ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1997. General Introductions and Surveys Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997. Carson, D. A., Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992. Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: a Historical and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament, 3 rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction, 4 th ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1990. Lea, Thomas D. The New Testament: Its Background and Message. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1996. Specific Introductions and Surveys Barrett, C. K. Paul: An Introduction to His Thought. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1994. Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977. Murphy-O Connor, Jerome. Paul: A Critical Life. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996. Polhill, John B. Paul and His Letters. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1999. Schreiner, Thomas R. Apostle of God s Glory in Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2001. Witherington, Ben, III. The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of Tarsus. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998. Greek Lexicons and Wordbooks Balz, Horst, and Gerhard Schneider, eds. Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, 3 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990-1993. Bauer, W., Arndt, Gingrich, and Danker. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 2 nd ed. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1979. Brown, Colin., ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 4 vols. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975-1978. Kittel, G. and Friedrich, G., eds. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 10 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964-76. Louw, J. P. and Nida, Eugene. A. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, 2 vols. New York: United Bible Societies, 1988. Spicq, Ceslas. Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. Transl. James D. Ernest. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1995. Philippians (BI 257) page 7
Criticism and Interpretation Black, David Alan, and David S. Dockery, eds. New Testament Criticism and Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991. Cotterell, Peter, and Max Turner. Linguistics and Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1989. Dockery, David S., Kenneth A. Matthews, and Robert B. Sloan, eds. Foundations for Biblical Interpretation: A Complete Library of Tools and Resources. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1994. Fee, Gordon D. New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors, rev. ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1993. Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993. Kaiser, Walter C., and Moisés Silva. An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Klein, W. W., et al. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Dallas: Word, 1993. Liefeld, Walter L. New Testament Exposition: From Text to Sermon. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984. Marshall, I. Howard, ed. New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Principles and Methods. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977. McKnight, Scot, ed. Introducing New Testament Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. Osborne, Grant. The Hermeneutical Spiral. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1992. Ryken, Leland. Words of Life: A Literary Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987. Ryken, Leland, and Tremper Longman III, eds. A Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993. Stein, Robert H. A Basic Guide to Interpreting the Bible: Playing by the Rules. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994. Historical Background Barrett, C.K. The New Testament Background: Selected Documents. New York: Harper & Row, 1957. Bell, Albert A. Exploring the New Testament World. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1998. Bruce, F. F. New Testament History. New York: Doubleday, 1971. Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2 nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. Jeffers, James S. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1999. Kee, Howard Clark. The New Testament in Context: Sources and Documents. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1984. Koester, Helmut. Introduction to the New Testament. Vol. 1, History, Culture, and Religion of the Hellenistic Age. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982. Philippians (BI 257) page 8
Theology Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1981. Ladd, George E. A Theology of the New Testament, rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. Morris, Leon. New Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986. Zuck, Roy, and Darrell Bock, eds. A Biblical Theology of the New Testament. Chicago: Moody, 1994. Commentaries Boice, James Montgomery. Philippians: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971. *Bruce, F. F. Philippians. New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1989. Daille, John. An Exposition of Philippians. McGill AFB, FL: Tyndale Bible Society, n.d. Eadie, John. A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. London: Richard Griffin, 1859. *Fee, Gordon D. Paul s Letter to the Philippians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. Getz, Gene. A Profile of Christian Maturity: A Study of Philippians with 20 th Century Lessons for the Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976. Hawthorne, Gerald F. Philippians. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco: Word, 1983. Hendrickson, William. Philippians. New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1962. Lightfoot, J. B. St. Paul s Epistle to the Philippians. Rev. Ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975. Martin, Ralph P. Philippians. New Century Bible Commetnary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976. *O Brien, Peter T. The Epistle to the Philippians. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992. Palmer, Earl F. Integrity in a World of Pretense: Insights from the book of Philippians. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1992. Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Joy of Living: A Study of Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973. Rienecker, Fritz. A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament. Translated and Revised by Cleon Rogers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980. Saunders, Stanley P. Philippians and Galatians, Interpretation Bible Studies. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001. *Silva, Moises. Philippians. Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody, 1988. Swindoll, Charles R. Laugh Again: Experience Outrageous Joy. Waco, TX: Word, 1992. *Thielman, Frank. The NIV Application Commentary. Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. Vincent, Marvin R. The Epistles to the Philippians and to Philemon. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1895. Wiersbe, Warren. Be Joyful. Wheaton: Victor, 1974. Witherington III, Ben. Friendship and Finances in Philippi. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity, 1994. Wuest, Kenneth W. Philippians in the Greek New Testament for English Readers. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1942. Philippians (BI 257) page 9
Articles & Special Studies Anderson, Garwood P. Ewthria in Philippians. M.A. thesis, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1997. (MC 227.606) Bateman, Herbert W. IV. Were the Opponents at Philippi necessarily Jewish? Bibliotheca Sacra 155/617 (January-March 1998): 39-61. Blazek, Gerald E. Unity through Humility in Philippians. M.Th. Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1977. Black, David Allan. The Discourse Structure of Philippians: A Study in Textlinguistics, Novum Testamentum 37:1 (January 1995): 14-49. Black, David Allan. The Authorship of Philippians 2:6-11: Some Literary-Critical Observations, Criswell Theological Journal 2 (Spring 1988): 269-90. Burk, Dennis. The Meaning of harpagmos in Philippians 2:6. Th.M. thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 2000. (MC 227.606 BURK) de Silva, David A. No Confidence in the Flesh: The Meaning and Function of Philippians 3:2-21, Trinity Journal 15NS/1 (Spring 1994): 27-54. Fee, Gordon D. Philippians 2:5-11 Hymn or Exalted Pauline Prose? Bulletin for Biblical Research 2 (1992): 29-46. Geeza, Ralph T. Philippians 2:6-11: Background, Exegesis, and Ethical Implications. M.Div. Thesis, St. Vladimir s Seminary, 1991. Hallett, David G. An Exegesis of Philippians 2:12-18. Th.M. Thesis, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1991. Hellerman, Joseph H. The Humiliation of Christ in the Social World of Roman Philippi, Part 1, Bibliotheca Sacra 160/639 (July-September 2003): 321-336. (Part 2 forthcoming) Kim, Seoung-Kim. Eschatological Hope in Philippians 3:17-21. Th.M. thesis, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 1997. (MC 227.606 KIM) Lakin, Jeff. An Exegetical Study of Paul s Plea for Unity in Philippians 1:27-2:4. M.A. Thesis, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1996. Matham, Wilfred. Philippians 2:5-11: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Christ s Humiliation. Th.M. Thesis, Capital Bible Seminary, 1992. McClain, Alva J. The Doctrine of the Kenosis in Philippians 2:5-8, The Master s Seminary Journal 9/1 (Spring 1998): 85-96. Muck, Kenneth A. The Concept of Humility in Philippians 2:1-11. M.Th. Thesis, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1973. Murray, George W. Paul s Corporate Witness in Philippians, Bibliotheca Sacra 155 (July- September 1998): 316-326. Tellbe, B. Mikael. Christ and Caesar: The Letter to the Philippians in the Setting of the Roman Imperial Cult. Th.M. thesis, Regent College, 1993. (MC 227.6 TELL) Weekes, Kendall M. The athletic and military metaphors of the Apostle Paul in the Philippian epistle. Th.M. thesis, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1994. (MC 227.606 WEEK) Wharton, Carolyn J. A study of the function of chara and chairo in Paul s epistle to the Philippians. M.Th. thesis, Calvin Theological Seminary, 1987. (MC 227.6 WHAR) Philippians (BI 257) page 10
There are a number of excellent sermons available on audio cassette in the T. S. Rendall Library relating to various passages in Philippians. Both for personal growth and for illustrations for your Teaching Outlines, it is strongly recommended that you listen to a selection of these cassettes. Consult the course website for internet links relevant to Philippians. Note: Prairie Bible College and your instructor reserve the right to change this syllabus in order to facilitate maximum learning for each and every student. Any changes after the beginning of the course will be discussed with and communicated to you. You will be responsible to check your PBI email account on a regular basis for information relevant to the course. Philippians (BI 257) page 11