DESCRIPTION:

The aim of this course is to gain a critical appreciation of the understanding of the person and work of Christ in the New Testament texts. The course will examine and evaluate the development of christology and soteriology against its background in Judaism and the Hellenistic world. Particular attention will be given to the teaching of Jesus himself, to the growth of thought in the early church and to its literary deposit in the major authors of the New Testament. Several major texts of theological importance and the main christological titles will be examined.

An understanding of the incarnation and atonement is crucial for all preachers of the gospel since these doctrines lie at the heart of our message. A knowledge of the New Testament foundations for the church's message is essential for Christian pastors and teachers.

Seminar-type sessions in which an introduction by the lecturer and preparatory reading by the class will lead into discussion of the topic. The course will meet daily (Mon-Fri) for two two-hour sessions each morning for two weeks.

Relevant articles in the four InterVarsity Press Dictionaries of the New Testament:

Evans, C. A. and Porter, S. E. Dictionary of New Testament Background. Downers Grove/
Leicester: InterVarsity, 2000.

Green, J. B.; McKnight, S.; and Marshall, I. H. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove/Leicester, England: InterVarsity, 1992.

Hawthorne, G. F.; Martin, R. P.; and Reid, D. G. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove/Leicester, England: InterVarsity, 1993.

Martin, R. P. and Davids, P. H. Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Developments. Downers Grove/Leicester, England: InterVarsity, 1997.

*Denney, J. The Death of Christ. Carlisle: Paternoster, 1997; or London: Tyndale Press, 1951.

  Dunn, J. D. G. Christology in the Making. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1980.

*Marshall, I. H. The Origins of New Testament Christology. 2d ed. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1990.

  Stott, J. R. W. The Cross of Christ. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1986.

  Witherington, B., III. The Many Faces of the Christ. New York: Crossroad, 1998.

Bradley, I. The Power of Sacrifice. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1995.

Casey, M. From Jewish Prophet to Gentile God. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1991.

Hultgren, A. J. Christ and His Benefits. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1988.

Hurtado, L. W. One God, One Lord. 2d ed. Edinburgh: T and T Clark, 1998.

Witherington, B., III. The Christology of Jesus. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990.

1. One 3,000 word essay, due September 7, 2001.

2. A take-home final examination, comprised of short answers on New Testament texts with doctrinal significance and essay-type answers.