DESCRIPTION:

A study of the rich variety of interpretations of the death of Jesus in the New Testament, as well as the challenge of conveying its significance today.

The cross of Jesus lies at the heart of NT theology, informing our understanding of God, the mission of Jesus, and the character of Christian faith. It is, therefore, crucial to be able to articulate a biblical theology of the cross, particularly in order to be able to communicate its significance in our diverse cultural contexts today.

The course will meet once a week for three hours for lectures and discussion based on reading in the New Testament and secondary sources.

Carroll, John T. and Joel B. Green. The Death of Jesus in Early Christianity. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1995.

Goldingay, John, ed. The Atonement Today. London: SPCK, 1995.

Green, Joel and Mark Baker. Recovering the Scandal of the Cross. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Selected articles on reserve in the library and in various dictionaries (e.g., The Anchor Bible Dictionary; The IVP Dictionaries).

Gorman, Michael J. Cruciformity: Paul's Narrative Spirituality of the Cross. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.

Hengel, Martin. Crucifixion in the Ancient World and the Folly of the Message of the Cross. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1977.

Neuhaus, Richard John. Death on a Friday Afternoon. New York: Basic Books, 2000.

Stott, John R. W. The Cross of Christ. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1986.

1. Regular attendance and preparation for class.

2. Two short exegetical and theological papers on passages from the NT which focus on the cross of Christ.

3. Final Examination.

NS500 and NS501, or NS502.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

Yes.