DESCRIPTION:

This course focuses on the growth and ministry of the church in the first century as reflected in the New Testament texts of Acts through Revelation. Students will be engaged in historical research and exegetical analysis in order to understand the social and theological challenges faced by the early church. Major emphasis will be given to the ministry and message of Paul.

These texts are canonical: they are accepted by the church as the standard for Christian faith and practice. This course aims to relate these texts to the challenges faced by Christians who seek to serve and lead in the church and society today.

Lectures and discussion will be designed to draw students into a lively interaction with the primary and secondary texts. Class will meet for two-hour sessions twice a week.

NRSV Bible: Acts-Revelation

Selected sections of the following books related to this course:

Hawthorne, Gerald F. and Ralph P. Martin, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. InterVarsity Press, 1993. (selected articles).

Johnson, Luke T. The Writings of the New Testament. 2nd rev. ed. Fortress, 1999.

Martin, Ralph P. and Peter H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Development. InterVarsity Press, 1997. (selected articles).

Wright, N. T. What Saint Paul Really Said. Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? Eerdmans, 1997.

Ferguson, E. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 1992.

1. A ten-page paper (2500 words) on a topic in Pauline studies (suggestions will be given in class).

2. A seven-page paper (1750 words) on a theological theme in Acts, one of the general epistles, or Revelation.

3. Three quizzes in class matching biblical quotations and contexts.

4. A final essay exam.

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament 2 (NT2).

Yes.