INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
INSTRUCTOR: The Reverend Grant M. VanderVelden
Phone: 563.568.2134 (home) | 563.568.2981 (office) | 563.217.9171 (mobile)
Email: grantvandervelden@gmail.com
Email and landline numbers (home or office) are the preferred means of communication.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This course surveys the literature and message of the New Testament, the second half of the Church's authoritative canon. Successful completion of this course will equip students with –
1. an increased knowledge of the New Testament content and theology.
2. a sharpened ability to determine the meaning of scriptural texts using basic exegetical methods, including the ability to interpret the New Testament within its first-century context.
3. a heightened awareness of the formative and authoritative nature of the New Testament, including how it informs the work of contemporary pastoral ministry.
REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURE
Online lectures and discussion will accomplish the course objectives. It is assumed that students will be well-prepared, thoughtful and respectful participants in the online discussions. All reading assignments given in the syllabus for a particular week must be completed before viewing the lecture and answering online questions.
The New Testament itself is the primary text for the course, and careful reading of the Word is expected. The secondary text is Introducing the New Testament by Mark Allan Powell. This text will inform students' understanding of the authorship, audience, historical setting, purpose and primary theological themes of New Testament books.
A handout on exegetical method will encourage students to begin to think exegetically.
Online lectures and discussion questions will be posted by Tuesday of any given week. Students must read assignments before viewing the lecture and responding to discussion questions. Students must respond to the discussion questions by Thursday night and respond to other students' comments by Sunday night.
COURSE ASSESSMENT
This course is not offered for academic credit. Students who complete the readings and assignments, as evidenced by their contribution and participation in online discussions, will receive a "pass" for the course.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Powell, Mark Allan. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
The New Oxford Annotated Bible, New Revised Standard Version: An Ecumenical Study Bible. Fourth edition. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2010. (Another good study Bible may be used in place of the Oxford Annotated Bible.)
OTHER NEW TESTAMENT RESOURCES (NOT REQUIRED)
Raymond Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament (1996)
Bart D. Ehrman, The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings (1998)
Donald Guthrie, New Testament Introduction (Revised edition, 1970)
Harper's Bible Dictionary
Everett F. Harrison, Introduction to the New Testament (1964)
Luke T. Johnson, The Writings of the New Testament (1986)
Bruce J. Malina, The New Testament World (1981)
Frederick J. Murphy, The Religious World of Jesus (1991)
Norman Perrin, The New Testament (1974)
Russell Pregeant, Engaging the New Testament (1995)
Stambaugh and Balch, The New Testament in its Social Environment (1986)
Krister Stendahl, Paul Among the Jews and Gentiles (1976)
James L. Bailey and Lyle D. VanderBroek, Literary Forms in the New Testament