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Canyon College

online Understanding the New Testament course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: UNDERSTANDING THE NEW TESTAMENT

Course Title: DV590 - Understanding the New Testament
Department: Master of Divinity
Instructor: Gerald FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, Phd Theology CandidateE-Mail -- Vita
Prerequisites: None


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

What is the essential message of the New Testament? Perhaps it is John 3:16! For as Paul says, "Formerly you yourselves were alienated from God, his enemies in heart and mind ... But now by Christ's death in his body of flesh and blood God has reconciled you to himself, so that he might bring you into his own presence ..." (Colossians 1:21-22).

This course is a survey of the New Testament as literature and as history and as "Word of God." Specific attention will be paid to the life, times and significance of Jesus Christ. The course is designed for students who are already in or who are preparing for ministry. What is most important is that students come to know what is inside this Book called the New Testament which has so affected people and impacted the world as we know it. Of course, it is impossible to get inside the New Testament without being touched by the spirit of a living God which permeates its pages. Moreover, we cannot take this journey without some consideration of theology, doctrine and message. However, we will not dwell there. We will say a few words about what this literature and history means and then continue along our journey. At the end of our adventure, and surely an approach to the New Testament as is proposed here is an adventure, students should have an understanding of the New Testament corpus of the international best-selling book, the Bible, and will be able to not "use" the Bible but to read it and to hear what it has to say yesterday, today, tomorrow, and always!

REQUIREMENTS

1. Readings. The required texts are:   Online Bookstore
A. Truly Human Truly Divine, soft-cover, by Eugene M. Boring. CBP Press (Chalice Press), 1984. ("Boring") ISBN: 0827236255

B. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, by Raymond E. Brown, et al. Prentice Hall, 1989, 1968. ("Brown") ISBN: 0136149340

C. Interpreting the New Testament: A Practical Guide, soft-cover, by Daniel J. Harrington. The Liturgical Press, 1979. ("Harrington") ISBN: 0814651240

D. The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version, edited by Wayne A. Meeks. HarperCollins Publishers, 1993. ("Meeks") ISBN: 0060655801

E. Synopsis of the Four Gospels, English Edition, edited by Kurt Aland. United Bible Societies, 1982. ("Aland") ISBN: 0826705006

F. The Crucifixion of Jesus: History, Myth, Faith, soft- cover, by Gerard S. Sloyan. Augsburg Fortress (Fortress Press), 1995. ISBN: 0800628861
It is acknowledged that the reading list is long. However, these books will be required throughout students' studies and should occupy a prominent place in the library of their work lives. The readings are also appropriate for a master's level course.

2. Conferences. Students may schedule up to two Internet Conferences with the professor by sending an e-mail to the professor with a proposed date and time and the reason for the conference. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the message board.

3. Exams. There will be two exams: a midterm examination which must be taken by the end of the third week and a comprehensive final examination which must be taken by the end of the sixth week. The exams will cover the assigned readings.

4. Papers. There will be a short paper of no more than two single- spaced pages or 1,250 words, due at the end of each week's readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. The papers should conform to the latest edition of Kate L. Turabian's, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:

Papers 20%
Midterm Exam 30%
Final 50%

6. Grading Scale.

90-100% A - Excellent
80-89% B - Above Average
70-79% C - Average
60-69% D - Below Average
59% or below F - Failing Grade

A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.


WEEK 1

Read Brown 587-595, 1023-1033, 1130-1174, and 1316-28. Read the Gospel of Mark.

Discussion Questions:
  1. What is the nature of and the probable significance of secrecy in Mark?
  2. What is a gospel? How do the gospels differ from prophetic works?
  3. Who wrote the gospels? When? Who is the intended audience of each gospel? Is there a central message in each gospel? What is it?
  4. Identify the groups of Israelites during the New Testament period.
  5. What is the difference between a church and a synagogue?

WEEK 2

Read Aland pages 1-20 and 299-338. Read Brown pages 1316-28.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Does it help you to understand the gospels by using the Aland book? If so, in what way(s)?
  2. What are the first words of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John? The first miracle? What do these suggest about the theme of the Gospel of John?
  3. Discuss the four gospels and include in your answer, to whom each gospel is written, what is the central message of each gospel, and what does each contain which is different from the others.
  4. How is the death of Jesus portrayed in the different gospels? What are the key differences? What do these differences suggest about the theology of each gospel?

WEEK 3

Read all of Boring. Read Harrington pages 1-55. Read Aland pages 97-98 (Section 106).

Discussion Questions:
  1. When John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ, he indicated that Jesus was the messiah. How do you explain the passage from the Aland book?
  2. Was there a time when Jesus Christ was more human than divine?
  3. What is meant by Kenosis Christology?
  4. Does "Truly Human Truly Divine" mean truly GOD?
PLEASE COMPLETE THE MIDTERM EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.


WEEK 4

Read Sloyan 1-122. Read Harrington 56-145.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Do an exegesis of Mark 2:1-12.
  2. Read Mark 2:1-12 in at least three versions of the Bible and discuss any differences in the translations. What do these differences suggest about the theology of the translators? Which version of the Bible do you use the most? Why?

WEEK 5

Read Sloyan pages 123-217. Read Brown 1354-1381 and 1417-1426.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Are there prophecies in the Old Testament which say the messiah will suffer a death on the cross? Which ones?
  2. What is the substitution theory?
  3. Who killed Jesus Christ?
  4. In terms of humanity's salvation, does it really matter whether Jesus Christ died on the cross or ascended to heaven? If so, why?

WEEK 6

Read the Gospel of John. Read Brown 942-985.

REMINDER: THE FINAL EXAM MUST BE TAKEN BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.