NT501 New Testament Survey Course Syllabus, Spring 2018 RTS-Orlando 1. Course Details Two credit hours Meeting time: Wednesdays from 1:00 3:00pm Description: The New Testament is the account of God s saving work in Jesus Christ and its implications for life in the church, family, and world. This course introduces students to the writings of the NT so that they can read, interpret, and apply the NT responsibly and enthusiastically. Pre-requisite: Admission to RTS Orlando's MA in Counseling degree program 2. Instructor Information Gregory R. Lanier, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of New Testament and Dean of Students at RTS-O Associate Pastor (part-time) at River Oaks Presbyterian Church Email: glanier@rts.edu Office hours: email to arrange meeting 3. Objectives Develop confidence in how to understand the way the NT fits together (within itself and with respect to the whole Bible), as redemptive story and covenantal Scripture Understand the basic principles of interpreting and applying each type of NT writing Gain experience in moving from text to life, with a focus on how the NT theologically undergirds and informs the task of soul care and counseling 4. Required Texts The Holy Bible: each student must bring his/her own copy of the Bible (in a modern English translation, e.g., ESV, NASB, NIV) to class each day Michael J. Kruger (ed.), A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament: The Gospel Realized (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016) hereafter, BTINT 5. Overview of the Course Part One: How to Read the NT (weeks 1 3) o The NT as redemptive story o The NT as covenantal Scripture o Basics of reading the NT responsibly
Part Two: Exploring and Applying the NT (weeks 4 11) o Each week will consist of (a) introduction to the basic message of a group of NT writings, and (b) a facilitated discussion of a specific passage and how it informs our understanding of self, sin, brokenness, suffering, grace, and hope in Christ o We will cover the following: Gospels Acts Letters of Paul Hebrews General Letters (a.k.a., catholic epistles) Revelation Part Three: Putting It into Practice (weeks 12 13) o Individual presentations and feedback/discussions (see below) 6. Course Assignments Reading of Biblical Texts o On your own outside of class, you must read (i) one of the Gospels in its entirety (your choice); (ii) Romans and 1 Corinthians; (iii) Hebrews; (iv) 1 Peter Readings to Prepare for Class o During Part Two of the course (weeks 4 11), you will need to read the assigned passage for that day before coming to class o Make notes on your questions, insights, and reflections as you read, and bring those to class o A reading schedule will be posted to Canvas at the beginning of the course Reading of Assigned Textbook o Read ~400 pages in the Kruger BTINT. You may choose the chapters of most interest to you. o You are free to read at your own pace. However, it may be most beneficial to read the chapters that correspond to each week s topic (especially during Part Two of the course), so that you are better able to participate in the discussion. Writing Assignments o Academic Writeup Using BTINT, a study Bible, or some other resource, prepare a document that contains your own 2 3-sentence summary of each of the 27 writings of the NT 2
The point of this to help you distill down to the essence the theme and distinctives of each gospel/letter/etc. The finished product will be something to which you can refer as a quick refresher down the road, too! o Theological Writeup Write one 4-5 page paper (with or without footnotes, but it must be semischolarly) on a theological or social topic that you have always wanted to research. You must engage in a detailed and responsible way with sufficient NT passages that provide insight on the topic. Ideas for topics are legion. Here are some thought-starters (in random order): divorce, abortion, same-sex attraction, abuse, cremation, adoption, genome research, depression, macro-evolution, racial reconciliation, immigration, aging, euthanasia, and more. You must state a clear thesis and defend it using Scripture and secondary sources of your choosing. Think of it as a thought-piece you might give a client, family member, or friend who is curious about the Christian view of a topic. o Practical Writeup Prepare a case study on a real or fictional counseling situation where the teaching of a specific passage of the NT can be brought to bear in a productive way The case study must be structured as follows: 1. Set the scene: describe the situation in 4-5 sentences 2. Discuss the biblical teaching: select a passage from the NT (at least 5 verses in length) that speaks to the situation. Using the principles discussed in Part One of the course, write a one-page analysis of the passage. You can use other passages to defend your analysis, but the bulk of the work must be on the one you selected. Important: the passage cannot be one of those we cover in class during Part Two. 3. Apply your insights: write a 2 3 page reflection on how the passage you selected can help you think through the counseling situation. This can take the form of a fictional dialogue or any other form you prefer. You will present a summary of your case study (~10 minutes) to the class during Part Three of the course. A schedule will be made available on Canvas at the start of the course. 3
7. Grading Reading of biblical texts 10% (you will indicate completion in Canvas) Reading of assigned textbook (BTINT) 10% (you will indicate completion in Canvas) Academic Writeup 20% Theological Writeup 30% Practical Writeup and Presentation 30% 100% 8. Other Details Attendance is expected. Student must notify the instructors by email regarding any absence. The skeleton of course notes will be provided in electronic form via Canvas. Students are permitted to use laptops or tablets in class. Phones must be turned on silent mode. You are expected to make use of technology in a way that honors Christ and respects your brothers/sisters sitting near you. Keep in mind that you, your spouse, donors, your parents, and/or your church are paying ~$40 per hour you spend in class, and all will be called to account for how they have stewarded such time and resources! 4
Course Objectives Related to MAC Student Learning Outcomes Course: NT501 New Testament Survey Professor: Gregory R. Lanier, Ph.D. Campus: Orlando Date: Spring 2018 MAC Student Learning Outcomes Rubric Mini-Justification In order to measure the success of the MAC curriculum, RTS has defined Ø Strong the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Ø Moderate Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the Ø Minimal contribution of this course to the MAC outcomes. Ø None FOUNDATIONS Understands and applies the basic knowledge needed to be an effective counselor including: the history and philosophy of counseling/soul care, a variety of counseling models and theories, ethics and professional standards of practice, and a psychological, biblical and theological framework for counseling/soul care. COUNSELING, PREVENTION, AND INTERVENTION Able to describe and apply the principles of mental and spiritual health, including prevention, intervention, consultation, education, and advocacy, as well as the operation of programs and networks that promote mental health in a cultural/global society. DIVERSITY AND ADVOCACY Understands and demonstrates how living in a cultural/global society affects clients who are seeking clinical mental health counseling services, as well as the effects of sin such as racism, discrimination, sexism, power, privilege, and oppression on one s own life and career and those of the client. ASSESSMENT Understands and applies various models and approaches to clinical evaluation and their appropriate uses, including diagnostic interviews, mental status examinations, symptom inventories, and psychoeducational and personality assessments, and is sensitive to the complications of diagnosis and interpretation of formal and informal evaluation. RESEARCH AND EVALUATION Understands and demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate research relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling through a biblical worldview. DIAGNOSIS Knows and applies the principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and evaluates them through a biblical and theological framework. INTEGRATION Integration of biblical & theological concepts with counseling practices. Moderate Minimal Minimal None Moderate None Strong Comprehensive overview of the NT as it relates to soul care and counseling Writing assignments and case studies focused on application Writing assignment focused on a theological topic of relevance to these set of issues Writing assignments requireing research in Scripture and secondary sources Main focus of the course SANCTIFICATION Demonstrates a love for Triune God Strong Main focus of the course