RTS0000 Introduction to Biblical Theology Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando Winter Term: Jan 2-5, 2018 D. A. Carson (ph: 847-317-8081; em: [via] Daniel Ahn: danahn@gmail.com) Catalog Course Description: SYLLABUS A survey of biblical theology, including debated methodological issues during the last two centuries. Emphasis on the Bible s story-line examining how the books and corpora of the Bible contribute to the unfolding history of redemption. Attention also given to themes of temple, sacrifice, priest, rest, kingship, exile, idolatry, promise, messiah, wisdom, and other biblical themes. Finally, the relationship of biblical theology with other disciplines, especially exegesis and systematic theology, is considered. Outcomes: 1. Students will gain some exposure to a survey of the history of the discipline, and some of its disputes, along with careful delineation of the relations between biblical theology and systematic theology on the one hand, and biblical theology and exegesis on the other. 2. By the end of this course students will have a substantial grasp of the structure of canonical thought as it unfolds along the axis of redemptive history. 3. They will also have gained an introductory appreciation of the contribution made to the unfolding plan of redemption by the different biblical corpora, and by the different biblical literary genres. 4. By the end of this course, students will be able to trace out, in survey fashion, some of the great themes that run through the various biblical corpora, the sinews that tie the biblical books together including temple, sacrifice, priest, rest, kingdom, promise, exile, idolatry, messiah, covenant, Israel, wisdom, mission, and moments of God s in history (e.g., the burning bush, the exodus, the incarnation, the resurrection of Jesus); 5. By the end of this course, students will also be able to tease out some of the implications that such findings have for the formation of systematic theology, and, indeed, of any mature Christian worldview. Course Requirements: 1. Everyone is expected to master thoroughly the biblical and lecture material. - 1 -
2. Read through the Goldsworthy volume, ideally before the course begins, and become generally informed of his argument. 3. Read through at least Part One of New Dictionary of Biblical Theology, plus any other two hundred pages of the same volume, divided between Part Two and Part Three. 4. At the end of the course, there will be a 40-min quiz, with one hundred short answers, based entirely on the biblical material plus the lecture material (but not the readings). 40% 5. Choose one biblical-theological theme, and trace it out crisply and succinctly in a paper of ten to twelve pages, double-spaced, in good form, handed in by the dates specified by RTS (Feb 2. 2018 by 11:00a). This paper should conclude with brief reflections on the bearing of your findings on the formation of your worldview/systematic theology/values/ministry. At the same time you must hand in your reading report (distributed with this syllabus). This report should list all secondary reading (i.e., textbooks and other readings, but not the biblical passages). (Hint: If you think you might need more than one sheet, make a photocopy before you start to fill it out!) 60% 6. As interest and time permit, go to the Library and become familiar with various Old Testament and New Testament theologies, finding out how they work, how they are organized, what their strengths and weaknesses are, how they contribute to a whole Bible (or, conversely, presuppose that the Bible is not a unified whole ). 7. If you have never read the Bible through carefully, it is essential for your own eternal good to begin now. Unless you have some other scheme, set yourself to read the Bible following the scheme of Andrew Murray M Cheyne, set out in the opening pages of both volumes of my For the Love of God. You will not be tested on this material, at least by me.... Textbooks: 1. Required: T. D. Alexander and Brian S. Rosner, ed., New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove: IVP, 2000. Graeme Goldsworthy. Christ-Centered Biblical Theology: Hermeneutical Foundations and Principles. Downers Grove: IVP, 2012. 2. Recommended: Peter Balla, Challenges to New Testament Theology: An Attempt to Justify the Enterprise. WUNT 95. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1997. - 2 -
D. A. Carson, The God Who Is There. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010. 3. Further bibliographical reflection: Because this is a survey course that covers the whole Bible (!), in one sense the relevant literature is as comprehensive as the literature that covers the whole Bible. Even if I were to include only those volumes that try to unpack the Bible along biblical-theological lines, and excluded all commentaries from consideration, the bibliography would run to many dozens of pages. But as indicated above under Course Requirements, I do urge you to spend a few hours in the Library to become familiar with our holdings under Old Testament theology and New Testament theology. The lectures themselves will introduce you rather briefly to many essays and books, and the most motivated students (or those with most time on their hands) might want to track down a sampling of such work and read it for themselves. One rather advanced book you might take note of for further study beyond this course is G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New. Course Outline: (NB: Three notes: (a) The biblical passages are not the only ones that need to be considered for an adequate treatment of the topic at hand, but they are the ones you should read and ponder before the lecture material in question. (b) The bibliographical references in the following list of topics will give you some hints for your further reading and reflection, and are designed especially for students who are a little farther ahead than others in their reading. The more of this reading that you begin to cover, the better, of course, but these reading suggestions are not mandated.) (c) The following blocks show the order in which course material will be covered. In your reading, keep ahead of the lectures; I will always presuppose you have mastered the content of the biblical passages. I have not tied the blocks to specific days, because in modular courses it is often useful to speed up or slow down depending on the needs and interests of the class. Introduction to the course; significance of the subject; history of biblical theology. The importance of history; the place and meaning of Salvation history (Heilsgeschichte). Cf. Robert W. Yarbrough, The Salvation Historical Fallacy? Reassessing the History of New Testament Theology (HBI 2; Leidendorp: Deo, 2004). Unfolding the theme of Creation; creation of God s image-bearers; new creation; new Adam; new heaven & earth. Genesis 1-2. Nailing down the Bible s storyline. Unfolding the theme of the fall; idolatry; sin; alienation, lostness, condemnation; the nature of the human dilemma: Gen 3, traced through parts of the OT, Rom1:18-3:20, Rev 21-22. Cf. Henri Blocher, Original Sin: Illuminating the Riddle (NSBT 5; Downers Grove: IVP, 1999). See also: Christopher W. Morgan - 3 -
and Robert Peterson, ed., Fallen: A Theology of Sin; and Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way It s Supposed to Be. Unfolding the theme of covenant. Cf. Michael S. Horton, Covenant and Eschatology: The Divine Drama (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002); Paul R. Williamson, Sealed with an Oath (NSBT 23; Downers Grove: IVP, 2007). Unfolding the theme of promise (including the promise to Abraham; the promised Holy Spirit ; the relation of promise to law. Reflect on Gen 12; Gen 15; Gen 22; Gal 3. (Cf. Ephesians; Acts.) Unfolding the theme of temple. Read in advance Exodus 25-27; Exodus 33; 1 Sam 4:1-7:1; 2 Sam 6-7; 1Kings 5-8; Ezek 8-11; John 1:14-18; John 2:19-22; Heb 9; Rev 21-22. Cf. G. K. Beale, The Temple and the Church s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God (NSBT 17; Downers Grove: IVP, 2004). Unfolding the theme of priest. A selection of OT passages on the nature and history of the priestly system of the OT. Then Gen 14:18-22; Ps 110; Hebrews, esp. Heb 7. Unfolding the theme of sacrifice. Selections from Exodus and Leviticus; Rom 3:21-26; Heb 9. Unfolding the theme of sonship. Exodus 4; 2 Sam 7:14; Ps 2; Heb 1:5; 2:5; 5:4-6; John 5:16-30; Rev 21:7; selections from Paul; υἱοθεσία. Unfolding the theme of kingdom. Diverse usages; Ps 145; Dan 4:3 versus Dan 2:44; Matt 28:18-20 versus Rev 21-22; Exod 19:1-6; Deut 17:14-20; 2Sam 7; Isa 9; Micah 5:2; Ezek 34 and related theme of shepherd ; Matt 1; John the Baptist and Jesus and their initial pronouncements; parables of the kingdom; Matt 27:27-50 ( Jesus reigning from a cross ); John 10; 1 Cor 15; John 3:3,5; 18:36; 1 Cor 6:9; Rev 11:15. Unfolding the theme of exodus. Unfolding the theme of exile. Unfolding the theme of rest (including detailed treatment of Heb 3:7-4:13). Unfolding the theme of messiah. Unfolding the theme of incarnation, including fairly detailed treatment of John 1:1-18; reflections on Col 1:15-20; Rev 19; OT anticipations (e.g. Isa 9); virginal conception/birth in Matthew and Luke; Heb 2. Introductory reflections on Son of Man. - 4 -
Unfolding the theme of resurrection. Reflections on such OT passages as Job 19; Isa 24-27, 56; Ezek 37; Dan 12; OT narratives such as that of the raising of the Shunammite s son; the patterns of intertestamental Judaism; some crucial NT passages (esp. John 5; 11; John 20; 1 Cor 15; 2 Cor 5:1-10; Rev 20:1-10. Unfolding the theme of Israel and the Church. Passages to read and ponder in advance of these two lectures include: Gen 12, 15 (and Rom 4); Exod 4; Deut 7, 10; Isa 19:19ff.; 66; Jer 3:14ff.; Hos 1:9; 2:23 (and Rom 9:25-26); Matt 16:13ff.; Rom 11; Acts 7; Eph 2, 5; 1 Pet 2; Rev 5. Reflect also on Adam Christology and the possible meaning of covenantal sign (debates regarding circumcision and baptism). Unfolding the themes of hope and eschatology. Read in advance Ps 146:5; Prov 10:28; Jer 14:8; 17:13; Rom 8:22-24; 1Cor 13:13; 15:19; 2Cor 3:12; Eph 2:12; 4:4; Col 1:5; Heb 6:19; 1Pet 3:15; 1 John 3:3; contrast 1 Cor 6 and 1 Thess 4; see Rev 21-22. The contributions of wisdom and other biblical literary genres; the centrality of Jesus. Biblical theology and exegesis; biblical theology and systematic theology; biblical theology and worldview formation. - 5 -
Course: Professor: Campus: Course Objectives Related to MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes 2ON600 Intro to Biblical Theology Dr. D. A. Carson RTS Orlando Date: Jan 2 5, 2018 MDiv* Student Learning Outcomes In order to measure the success of the MDiv curriculum, RTS has defined the following as the intended outcomes of the student learning process. Each course contributes to these overall outcomes. This rubric shows the contribution of this course to the MDiv outcomes. *As the MDiv is the core degree at RTS, the MDiv rubric will be used in this syllabus. Broadly understands and articulates knowledge, both oral and written, of essential biblical, theological, historical, and cultural/global information, including details, concepts, and frameworks. Articulation (oral & written) Scripture Reformed Theology Sanctification Desire for Worldview Winsomely Reformed Preach Worship Shepherd Church/World Significant knowledge of the original meaning of Scripture. Also, the concepts for and skill to research further into the original meaning of Scripture and to apply Scripture to a variety of modern circumstances. (Includes appropriate use of original languages and hermeneutics; and integrates theological, historical, and cultural/global perspectives.) Significant knowledge of Reformed theology and practice, with emphasis on the Westminster Standards. Demonstrates a love for the Triune God that aids the student s sanctification. Burning desire to conform all of life to the Word of God. Embraces a winsomely Reformed ethos. (Includes an appropriate ecumenical spirit with other Christians, especially Evangelicals; a concern to present the Gospel in a God-honoring manner to non-christians; and a truth-in-love attitude in disagreements.) Ability to preach and teach the meaning of Scripture to both heart and mind with clarity and enthusiasm. Knowledgeable of historic and modern Christianworship forms; and ability to construct and skill to lead a worship service. Ability to shepherd the local congregation: aiding in spiritual maturity; promoting use of gifts and callings; and encouraging a concern for non-christians, both in America and worldwide. Ability to interact within a denominational context, within the broader worldwide church, and with significant public issues. Strong Strong Rubric Strong Minimal None None Minimal None Mini-Justification Ties bib theol to systematics, some historical theology, some exegesis. Builds the essential structures of biblical theology, relating them to the Bible s salvation history. Some components of the biblical theology are strongly designed to support Reformed Theological Seminary confessionalism. That ought to be the outcome where about 85% of the course material is simply the Word of God. Ditto. Because this bib theol course is tied to worldview formation, it strengthens the ability to discuss complex matters with others. Ditto Indirectly because so much of the material is directly biblical. - 6 -
READING REPORT NAME: STUDENT BOX #: COURSE: DATE: AUTHOR TITLE DATE FROM PAGE TO PAGE TOTAL Total: - 7 -