15800 Calvary Rd Kansas City, MO 64147 Syllabus Course: BI112-(I) (N) Survey of New Testament Literature Credit: 3 Semester Hours Semester: Time: 6:00-9:00 p.m. Mondays, January 8, 2018 February 26, 2018 Instructor: Mr. Jeff Campa Contact Info: jeff.campa@calvary.edu I. DESCRIPTION A study of each book of the New Testament. Emphasis is placed on an understanding of the background of the author and the writing of each book as well as key elements such as its theme, key verse and key words. The contents of the book are studied in summary form. A survey of the intertestamental period is also included. This is a blended class, meaning that both campus and online students take this class together. Campus students attend the classes in person, online students attend the classes via the online classroom. All interaction and assignments for campus and online students will be done in the online classroom. II. OBJECTIVES A. General competencies to be achieved. You will: 1. Master the survey/overview content as presented. 2. Realize the unity if the New Testament books. 3. Appreciate the Lord Jesus as seen in each book. 4. Make application from the New Testament into present day need. 5. Be exposed to divergent views for issues in higher criticism and various interpretational challenges. B. Specific competencies to be achieved. You will: 1. Read the entire New Testament. 2. Be able to trace chronologically and geographically the major historical events of the New Testament. 3. Be able to understand the importance of key dates and characters for the pivotal events of New Testament history. 4. Be exposed to the introductory material for each book, including summary title, purpose, central idea, outline and summary of content. Our Mission: To Live According to a Biblical Worldview and Serve
III. MATERIALS A. Bible The Bible is a required textbook in every course at Calvary University. To facilitate academic level study, students are required to use for assignments and research an English translation or version of the Bible based on formal equivalence (meaning that the translation is generally word-for-word from the original languages), including any of the following: New American Standard (NASB, English Standard Version (ESV), New King James (NKJV), or King James (KJV). Other translations and versions based on dynamic equivalence (paraphrases, and thought-for-thought translations like NLT and NIV) may be used as supplemental sources. Please ask the professor if you have questions about a particular translation or version. B. Other Textbooks 1. Paul N. Benware. Survey of the New Testament. ISBN 9780802421241. $20.00 (Amazon) 2. Merrill C. Tenney. New Testament Times. Baker. ISBN 0801012651. $20.00 (Amazon) IV. REQUIREMENTS A. Attendance On Campus Students Students enrolled in on-campus sections of the course are allowed one personal day with no impact on course grade. However, students are still accountable for all assignments, projects, due dates and material presented during lecture periods. Students are required to communicate with the instructor if a personal day will be taken. Online Students Students enrolled in online sections of the course are accountable for all assignments, projects, due dates and material presented during lecture periods. All Students The instructor is required to submit periodic verification reports to the Registrar and Financial Aid Offices in order to confirm that each registered student begins and maintains academic participation and progress throughout the course. Verifiable academic participation and progress will be based on assignment due dates (Syllabus Verification, Character Studies, Summary Overviews, Discussion Posts, Exams, and the Research Paper). B. Reading Reading will be reported in Canvas through the Reading verification Report that is due on February 26. The tentative class schedule is provided as a tool to plan texts reading to coincide with lecture material as well as content for quizzes/exams. Read the entire text of the New Testament and the two supplemental textbooks identified above. 2
C. Writing All projects will be submitted through Canvas Assignments by the due date posted. Late submissions will be assessed a penalty. Plagiarism is defined as copying any part of a book or paper without identifying the author. This includes taking another person s ideas and presenting them as your own. 1. Research paper Students will submit a 5-page original research paper on a topic of your choice relevant to the study of the New Testament. This project will follow the Turabian style according to A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8 th edition and the Calvary Style Guide, 2015 update. A list of suggested topics is presented at the end if this syllabus, but with permission of the instructor other topics may be chosen. 2. Parable Summaries Students will submit a 4-page paper summarizing the parables of Christ. Each parable will have a 140-character summary of the parable followed by a paragraph explaining the meaning and application of that parable. 3. Character Study Students will submit a 2-page paper discussing an individual identified in the New Testament. This project will identify and define character qualities, challenges, opportunities and doctrinal/theological themes evident in the individual s life as presented in the New Testament text. 4. Book Overviews Students will submit a 4-page paper summarizing the theme and purpose of each New Testament book. Each book will have a 140-character summary of its content followed by a paragraph explaining the theological theme and application of that book. D. Exams There will be two exams presented via Canvas that will cover material from the New Testament, both supplemental textbooks, and material presented during class lectures. E. Discussion Posts The instructor will post four articles into Discussions in Canvas. These posts will address content from each of the following categories: Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. Students will read each post and respond accordingly to questions, observations, etc. indicated by the instructor. 3
F. Grading 1. Reading = 300 points total i. New Testament text = 100 points ii. Survey of New Testament = 100 points iii. New Testament Times = 100 points 2. Writing = 160 points total i. 5-page research paper = 100 points ii. Parable summaries = 20 points iii. Character Study = 20 points iv. Book Overviews = 20 points 3. Exams = 200 points total i. Exam #1 = 100 points ii. Exam #2 = 100 points 4. Discussion Posts = 80 points total i. Gospels = 20 points ii. Acts = 20 points iii. Epistles = 20 points iv. Revelation = 20 points BI112I Survey of New Testament Literature V. NOTES and SUPPORT Students with disabilities have the responsibility of informing the DSS Coordinator (dss@calvary.edu) of any disabling condition that may require support. The Learning Center (learning@calvary.edu), located in the library building, is dedicated to providing free academic assistance for all University students. Student tutors aid with all facets of the writing process, tutor in various subject areas, prepare students for exams and facilitate tests. Please take advantage of this service. 4
VI. TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Date: Assignments Due: NT* Survey of NT* NT Times* Week 1 January 8 Syllabus Verification Week 2 January 15 (MLK Day) Week 3 January 22 Week 4 January 29 Week 5 February 5 Week 6 February 12 Week 7 February 19 Week 8 February 26 March 5 NO CLASS (Lecture may be in Canvas) Discussion Post #1 Character Study Discussion Post #2 Parable Summary Exam 1 Discussion Post #3 Discussion Post #4 Exam 2 Book Overviews Reading Verification Research Paper Due *Note: You can use these columns to track your textbook and Scripture reading through the course. 5
VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY Aside from the assigned textbooks, these resources supported the development of the course material and would support your further study: Beitzel, Barry. The New Moody Atlas of Bible Lands. Chicago: Moody Press. Cone, Christopher. A Concise Bible Survey: Tracing the Promises of God. Fort Worth: Exegetica Publishing. Gromacki, Robert G. New Testament Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker. Jensen, Irving L. Jensen s Survey of the New Testament. Chicago: Moody Press. Miller, Keith. Class Notes for Survey of New Testament Literature. Calvary University. Pentecost, J. Dwight. A Harmony of the Words and Works of Jesus Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. Ryrie, Charles C. Ryrie Study Bible. Chicago: Moody Press. Tenney, Merrill C. New Testament Survey. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing. VIII. RESEARCH PAPER SUGGESTIONS The influence of Hellenism (Greek culture) on the early church Explanation and implications of the genealogies of Matthew 1 and Luke 3 History and background of the Pharisees and Sadducees History and background of the Samaritans Jesus teaching on prayer Jesus teaching on marriage and divorce The issue of feminism and Pauls teaching regarding women s roles in the church Explanation and application of the Sermon on the Mount A summary of the life of Christ The importance of prayer in the book of Acts The teachings on the Christian life from Romans 6-8 Paul s use of secular literature Interpretation and application of the warning sections of Hebrews Paul s teaching on money Paul s missionary journeys (when, where, major doctrines, contemporary implications) Reponses to Christ in the Gospels (Jewish leaders, Romans, Crowds, Disciples, etc.) 6