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Canyon College

online Between and After the Testaments course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: BETWEEN AND AFTER THE TESTAMENTS


Course Title: TH525/DV525 Between and After the Testaments
Department: Master of Theology
Instructor: Gerald FitzGerald, BD, MDiv, DMin, Phd Theology CandidateE-Mail -- Vita
Prerequisites: Foundations of Christianity


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
In Foundations of Christianity, we surveyed the landscape between the death of Jesus Christ and the middle ages and tried to come close to hearing what specific institutions and movements had to say to us about the beginnings of Christianity and particular the "Church." We now focus our attention on some gaps which exist in most of our approaches to Christianity. What happened between the close of the Old Testament period and the opening of the New Testament period? What happened after the close of the New Testament period? How have these happenings impacted Christianity?

Students, by the end of the course, should acquire an understanding of these happenings and be able to answer the questions posed above. In addition, students should have a better understanding of extra-Biblical sources and be cognizant of some of the reasons proffered to explain why some books were chosen for inclusion in the Canon and others were rejected.

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Canyon College is a non-sectarian, non-denominational school committed to the study of God in all the richness and diversity of God's revelations to humanity and an exploration of what those revelations mean to the everyday lives of finite human beings. Canyon College does not advocate any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than the reality of God and does not require that its students and faculty subscribe to any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than a willingness to be challenged and a commitment to an investigation into truth and the pursuit of academic honesty and excellence.

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Students should strive to use inclusive language in their writings. By inclusive language is meant language that is not gender specific and which attempts to include as many people as possible. For instance, instead of writing that "God wills that every man obeys His will," inclusive language would require us to write, "God wills that everyone obeys God's will."

REQUIREMENTS
1. Readings. The required texts are:    Online Bookstore
A. "The New Jerome Biblical Commentary," hardcover, edited by Raymond E. Brown, et al. Prentice Hall, 1989/1990. ISBN: 0136149340

B. "Bridge Between the Testaments," 3rd edition, soft-cover, by Donald E. Gowan. Pickwick Publications (WIPF & Stock Publishers), 1986. ISBN: 0915138883

C. "Jewish Literature between the Bible and the Mishnah," Second Edition, by George W. E. Nickelsburg. Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress), 2005. Paperback ISBN: 0800637798   (Alternative Hardback ISBN: 0800637682)
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 mid-term 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 less than two single- spaced pages or 1,250 words, and no more than five single-spaced pages, 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 30%
Midterm exam 30%
Final Paper 40%

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 pages 1023-1112.

Discussion Questions:
  1. What is meant by the often heard phrase, "The Bible is the inspired word of God?"
  2. Do we have any of the original documents of the Bible?
  3. What is meant by the phrase, "The Old Testament writers had a tolerance for versions?"
  4. Are there gospels other than the ones which appear in the New Testament? Are these gospels of any help to those who seek to know who Jesus Christ is?

WEEK 2

Read Gowan pages 1-224.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Prepare an outline of your readings for this week. The outline may be either chronological or topical.
  2. Explain how the Romans came to occupy Jerusalem.
  3. What, if anything, did this week's readings add to your understanding of Christianity and/or Judaism?

WEEK 3

Read Gowan pages 225-395.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Prepare an outline of your readings this week. The outline may be either chronological or topical.
  2. What is the most significant challenge to your faith presented by this week's readings?
  3. What becomes of a person when he/she dies?
PLEASE COMPLETE THE MID-TERM EXAM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK.


WEEK 4

Read Nickelsburg pages 1-99.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Prepare an outline of your reading for this week. The outline may be either chronological or topical.
  2. List each of the writings mentioned in this week's reading and write a brief summary of the contents of the writing, its probable date of creation and the time period covered in it.

WEEK 5

Read Nickelsburg 100-230.

Discussion Questions:
  1. Prepare an outline of your reading for this week. The outline may be either chronological or topical.
  2. List each of the writings mentioned in this week's reading and write a brief summary of the contents of the writing, its probable date of creation and the time period covered in it.

WEEK 6

Read Nickelsburg pages 231-309.

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