DESCRIPTION:

This course will engage in an exegetical study of the Epistles of 1, 2 and 3 John based on the Greek text. The goal of this study will be to enable students to sharpen their exegetical skills through a close examination of the structure, argument and message of these letters and through interaction with their key passages.

The Johannine Epistles offer insight into some of the important theological discussions of the early church which have proven to be crucial issues of Christian life and ministry through the ages. A better understanding of these early issues and of the solutions offered by these letters will equip students more effectively to meet the challenges of contemporary ministry.

Class sessions will be divided equally between lecture, student presentations and practical workshops designed to give hands-on experience in the various aspects of the exegetical task, from translation to application.

Smalley, Stephen S. 1, 2, 3 John. Word Biblical Commentary. Thomas Nelson, 1984.

Thompson, Marianne Meye. 1-3 John. IVP NT Commentary. InterVarsity Press, 1992.

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

Brown, Raymond. The Epistles of John. Anchor Bible Commentary. Random House, 1982.

Bruce, F. F. The Epistles of John. Eerdmans, 1979.

Marshall, I. Howard The Epistles of John. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1978.

Stott, John R. W. The Letters of John, Rev. ed. Tyndale NT Commentaries. Eerdmans, 1988.

1. Regular attendance at all class sessions.

2. The completion of regular weekly reading assignments from two current commentaries on the Johannine Epistles, along with brief (one page) summaries of the material read.

3. An in-class presentation on a selected passage from the epistles, involving translation, syntactical outline and exegetical discussion.

4. Weekly worksheets and projects to be completed in class.

5. A term paper grappling with one of the key exegetical and/or theological issues raised by the epistles.

LG512, NS501 and NE502.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Exegesis (NTE).

No.