INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

Course Syllabus

NT 501A Houston Graduate School of Theology

Spring 2008, four hours Professor Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A study of the history and literature of the New Testament with attention to the content of the whole, representative passages throughout, and to exegetical methods and problems of interpretation, with some emphasis upon both understanding and evaluating various critical approaches.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Briefly summarize or describe the main views about the origin, situation, purpose, contents, problems and significance of each New Testament book, and specify points of contrast between opposing views.

2. Outline or describe appropriate views (1) of the inspiration, authority and reliability of Scripture; (2) of the origins, nature, and extent of the New Testament Canon; (3) of proper understanding of the New Testament within its historical context; and (4) of how it is to be applied within the modern world.

3. Outline or describe various approaches to the Synoptic problem and their consequences for our understanding of the life, teachings and significance of Jesus and the origins of Christianity.

4. Outline or describe the history of Christianity during the first century, including, but not limited to, the life and ministry of Paul.

5. Briefly summarize evidence for the textual and historical attestation of the various sections and books of the New Testament.

6. Identify several authors (12-20) of works that are helpful for understanding the New Testament, its background and significance.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

A Study Bible with a modern translation that is the work of a committee commissioned by responsible interdenominational organizations and composed of reputable scholars, for example, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) and Today’s New International Version (TNIV)

Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001.

Metzger, Bruce M. The Canon of the New Testament; Its Origin, Development, and Significance. Oxford: Clarendon Press, c. 1987; paperback, 1997.

NOTE: Assigned readings in the Course Outline and Schedule may include articles available through the ATLASerials program available to HGST students, and readings from books on reserve.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A. Regular attendance and participation in class discussion.

B. The student should read the reading assignments as listed in the course outline in advance before each class session. Unless otherwise indicated, the reading assignments are from the textbook by Achtemeier, Green and Thompson. It will be helpful to outline or make notes on the textbook, including but not limited to the following for each New Testament book based on the discussion and subheadings:

contents; author; provenance; date; destination/addressees; occasion; nature/genre; sources; integrity, literary history, text; adoption into the Canon; recent study; contribution/significance; bibliography (see course objective no. 1).

C. Weekly quizzes over assignments and/or brief summary paper assignments. Special reports to the class will be assigned to students from the readings marked with the dagger symbol (†) in the Course Outline and Schedule. These readings are available to students through the ATLASerials program. (Note that this list is to be continued for the second half of the course.)

C. One Critical Review, due by April 22, the date of the second Unit Examination, of either

1. A comparison of two chapters from another New Testament Introduction textbook, one of those marked with an asterisk (*) in the bibliography, with corresponding chapters in the course textbook by Achtemeier, Green and Thompson,

2. A critical review of an article (ten-page minimum length) that is available through the ATLASerials program and relate to significant topics in the course textbook by Achtemeier, Green and Thompson. (Chapter headings or major subheadings should be the guide to “significant topics.”)

D.. Three Unit Examinations as scheduled: (1) February 13, (2) April 2, and May 7. Examinations may include brief answer definition or identity questions, or fill-in-the blank, essay, true-false, matching or multiple-choice questions. An essay question or two is also included. All exams will be taken without books or notes under supervision at the school.

Examination questions will be drawn from:

1. Class lectures by the professor, including material not found in the textbooks (Achtemeier-Green-Thompson, and Metzger).

2. Material from the textbooks (Achtemeier-Green-Thompson, Metzger) whether discussed in class or not. Class lectures will supplement and evaluate textbook material, not simply repeat it.

NOTE: Examinations not taken when scheduled will be made up with more difficult alternate exams and/or substitute additional written assignments with a maximum grade of B.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and prompt class attendance is expected. One or two absences may be necessary for emergency reasons, but excessive absences will cause your work to suffer and the grade to be reduced accordingly. When a class meets for one session per week, as both sections of this class do, one session is a week's work for the class.

POLICY ON LATE WORK

Timely work is essential to professional success. Assignments should be submitted when due. Late work will be lowered in grade proportionally. It is seminary policy that Incomplete grades are only given in unusual circumstances and must in any case be made up within sixty calendar days following the end of the term. Within the term difficulties are compounded by untimely work.

Note the statement on examinations not taken when scheduled (above, under Course Requirements). There will be reduced credit for examinations taken late. One should attempt to take an examination in advance when absence is anticipated.

Any student who requests an extension for this course must complete a “Request for Extension/Grade Change” form, which can be obtained from the Registrar. The form must be signed by both the student and the instructor and returned to the Registrar’s Office along with a fee of $25.00 before the deadline for extensions (May 13, 2005). Extensions are granted only for extenuating circumstances and may not exceed thirty calendar days from the end of the semester (June 13, 2005). All extensions are subject to review by the Dean of the Faculty.

GRADING SYSTEM

NOTE: Excessive absence or inadequate class participation will reduce the grade accordingly.

Three examinations x 25% = 75%

Two Critical Reviews 25%

Total 100%

The following percentage scale applies to objective test questions and in general to the quality of complex assignments. The scale can be adjusted for the difficulty of some assignments:

A = 94-100%

B = 86- 93%

C = 78- 85%

D = 70-77%

Any late work is liable to reduction of grade.

Grades and the HGST Policy on Incompletes

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is presenting the work of another person as your own without giving proper credit for the use of the information. Students must not quote books, articles, essays, or internet sites without giving proper credit to the author(s) of the work. Any student who is found guilty of plagiarism is subject to a range of consequences including failure of this course work and dismissal from HGST.

COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE

January 16

Course Introduction

AGT Ch. 1, What is the New Testament?

AGT Ch. 2, The World of the New Testament

Handout: Brief Historical Summary

January 23

AGT Ch. 3, The Nature of the Gospels

AGT Ch. 4, The Gospel according to Matthew

Metzger, “Introduction,” pp. 1-8

Handout: Chart of the Four Gospels

† Ulrich, Daniel W., “The Missional Audience of the Gospel of Matthew,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 69, no. 1 (2007), pp. 64-83

† Derickson, Gary W., “Matthew’s Chiastic Structure and Its Dispensational Implications,” Bibliotheca Saacra, 163, no. 652 (2006), pp. 423-437

January 30

AGT Ch. 5, The Gospel according to Mark

AGT Ch. 6, The Gospel according to Luke

Metzger, Ch. 12, Part IV, pp. 282-288

† Hedrick, Charles, “Realism in Western Narrative and the Gospel of Mark: A Prolegomenon,” Journal of Biblical Literature, 126, no. 2 (2007), pp. 345-359

† Dowd, Sharyn, and Elizabeth Struthers Malbon, “The Significance of Jesus’ Death in Mark: Narrative Context and Authorial Audience, Journal of Biblical Literature, no. 125, no. 2 (2006), pp. 271-297

† Roth, S. John, “Jesus the Pray-er” [in Luke], Currents in Theology and Mission, 33, no. 6 (2006), pp. 488-500

† Henrich, Sarah, “Embedded in the First Century, Alive for Our Own: Recent Research on Luke’s Gospel, Currents in Theology and Mission, 33, no. 6 (2006), pp. 481-486

February 6

AGT Ch. 7, The Gospel according to John

Metzger, Ch. 1, pp. 11-24

Review for Unit I Examination

† Tom Thatcher, “John’s Memory Theater: The Fourth Gospel and Ancient Mnemo-Rhetoric,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 69, no. 3 (2006), pp. 487-505

† Hedrick, Charles W., “Vestigial Scenes in John: Settings without Dramatization,” Novum Testamentum, 47, no. 4 (2006), pp. 354-366

February 13

Unit I Examination

AGT Ch. 8, Jesus of Nazareth

Metzger, Ch. 2, pp. 25-36

February 20

AGT Ch. 9, The Acts of the Apostles

AGT Ch. 10, Letters in the New Testament

Metzger, Ch. 3, parts I-IV, pp. 39-56

† Maxwell, Kathy R., “The Role of the Audience in Ancient Narrative: Acts as a Case Study,” Restoration Quarterly, 48, no. 3 (2006), pp. 171-180

† Rowe, C. Kavin, “Luke-Acts and the Imperial Cult: A Way Through the Conundrum?” Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 27, no. 3 (2006), pp. 279-300

February 27

AGT Ch. 11, Paul and His World

AGT Ch. 12, Paul’s Letter to the Christians in Rome

Metzger, Ch. 3, parts V-IX, pp. 56-73

† Paddison, Angus, “Karl Barth’s Theological Exegesis of Romans 9-11 in the Light of Jewish-Christian Understanding,” Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 28, no. 4 (2006), pp. 469-488

† Davis, D. Mark, “The Centrality of Wonder in Paul’s Soteriology,” Interpretation, 60, no. 4 (2006), pp. 404-418

March 5

AGT Ch. 13, Paul and the Christians in Corinth

AGT Ch. 14, The Letter to the Galatians

Metzger, Ch. 4, part II, pp. 90-99

† The list of articles for special reporting will be continued later.

March 12

AGT Ch. 15, The Letter to the Ephesians

Carson-Moo-Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament, chapter 11, “Ephesians,” pp. 305-316, and “Pseudonymity,” pp. 367-371, a portion of chapter 15 on the Pastoral Epistles.

Ch. 16, Paul and the Christians in Philippi

Metzger, Ch. 5, parts I-III, pp. 113-128

Spring Break, March 15-23

March 26 PM

AGT Ch. 17, Paul and the Christians at Colossae: Colossians and Philemon

Bruce M. Metzger, “Literary Forgeries and Canonical Pseudepigrapha,” Journal of Biblical Literature, 91 (1972), 3-24, available through the ATLASerials subscription program available to HGST students.

Review

April 2

Unit II Examination

AGT Ch. 18, Paul's Letters to the Thessalonian Christians

Metzger, Ch. 5, part IV, pp. 129-141

April 9

AGT Ch. 19, 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus

AGT Ch. 20, Hebrews

Metzger, Ch. 6, pp. 141-164

April 16

AGT Ch. 21, James

AGT Ch. 22, First and Second Peter and Jude

Metzger, Ch. 8, pp. 191-207

April 23

AGT Ch. 23, 1, 2, 3 John

AGT Ch. 24, Revelation

Metzger, Ch 11, pp. 251-266

April 30

AGT Ch. 25, The Formation of the New Testament Canon

Metzger, Ch. 12, pp. 267-288

Review

May 7

Unit III Examination

LIBRARIES

1. Fondren Library at Rice University is probably the best Houston library for your purposes. The Fondren Library (713-348-5113) is located at 6100 Main. For more information, please visit www.rice.edu/fondren.

The procedure for borrowing books at the Fondren Library is:

• First, search the online catalog (www.rice.edu/fondren) for available books;

• Second, fill out the appropriate form for each book (available in the HGST library), have the form signed by an authorized HGST library representative, and take with you to the Fondren Library;

• Third, retrieve the book(s) yourself at Fondren Library;

• Fourth, take the book(s) and the signed form(s) to the circulation desk at the Fondren Library to complete checkout (return the yellow copy to the HGST Library);

• NOTE: When you return your book(s) to the Fondren Library, they will indicate so on the pink and gold copies; return the pink copy to the HGST Library and keep the gold copy for your records.

2. Cardinal Beran Library at St Mary's Seminary is the home of an extensive theological library. St Mary's Seminary (713-686-4345) is located at 9845 Memorial Drive. For more information, please visit http://beran.stthom.edu. The Doherty Library on the main campus of University of St Thomas is also an option.

3. The Houston Public Library is conveniently located for HGST students. The Central Library (832-393-1313) is located at 500 McKinney. In addition, HPL has many other locations. For more information, please visit www.hpl.lib.tx.us.

4. Harris County Public Library. For more information on locations and hours please visit www.hcpl.net.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recent and/or Significant New Testament Introductions †

* Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. The Anchor Bible Reference Library. New York: Doubleday, 1997. There are four copies in the Houston Public Library (3 at the Central Library, downtown, and one at Stella Link), call no. 225.61 B879. There is one copy in the Fondren Library of Rice University, BS2330.2 .B76 1997.

* † Carson, D. A., Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1992. HGST 225.61 Car This Introduction is consistently conservative on controversial issues.

* Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Fourth ed.; New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. This author takes a standard “critical” approach to New Testament issues.

† The second edition, 2000 is in the HGST Library, 225.67 Ehr

Compare the following brief version:

Ehrman, Bart D. A Brief Introduction to the New Testament. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. HGST 225.61 Ehr

* Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. (4th British ed.); Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity, 1990. This is an excellent traditional (i.e. conservative) introduction. The Houston Public Library has three copies (2 at the Central Library downtown, and one at Robinson). 225.61 G984 4ED

* † Harrison, Everett F. Introduction to the New Testament. Rev. ed.; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971. HGST 225.61 Har. This is an excellent traditional introduction.

* † Koester, Helmut. Introduction to the New Testament. Two volumes: vol. 1: History, Culture, and Religion of the Hellenistic Age; vol. 2: History and Literature of Early Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress Press; Berlin and New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1982. The first volume is a thorough and helpful review of the relevant historical background. The second volume is one of the more radical (i.e. extreme) examples of a modern critical approach to understanding the New Testament. HGST 225.95 Koe vol. 1 & vol. 2

* † Kuemmel [Kümmel], Werner Georg. Introduction to the New Testament. Rev. ed., trans., Howard Clark Kee; Nashville: Abingdon, 1975. (This may perhaps be indexed as Kummel, ignoring the umlaut on the u.) A widely used standard introduction representing the modern critical point of view. [Cf. Feine, Paul. Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1966. HGST 225.61 Fei.]

* † Perkins, Pheme. Reading the New Testament; An Introduction. Rev. ed.; New York: Paulist Press, 1987. Pheme Perkins studied under Helmut Koester at Harvard Divinity School. She is professor of theology at Boston College and a former president of the Catholic Biblical Association and the New England region of the American Academy of Religion. In several respects, her approach is somewhat critical; for example, in assigning Colossians and Ephesians as well as the Pastoral Epistles to followers of Paul who wrote after his death. HGST 225.6 Per

More New Testament Introductions

Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green and Marianne Meye Thompson. Introduction to the New Testament, Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2001. (Textbook)

Bauman, Edward W. An Introduction to the New Testament. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1961. HGST 225.6 Bau

Brown, Schuyler. The Origins of Christianity; A Historical Introduction to the New Testament. The Oxford Bible Series. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1984.

Crapps, Robert W., Edgar V. McKnight, and David A. Smith, Introduction to the New Testament. New York: The Ronald Press Company, 1969. HGST 225.61 Cra.

Dods, Marcus. An Introduction to the New Testament. Eighth ed.; New York: Thomas Whittaker, 1900. HGST 225.61 Dod

Goodspeed, Edgar J. An Introduction to the New Testament. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1937. HGST 220.61 Goo

Grant, Robert M. Historical Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Harper & Row, 1963. HGST 225.95 Gra. A moderately critical modern point of view.

Hunter, A. M. Introducing the New Testament. Second ed.; Philadelphia: Westminster, 1957. (HGST copy?)

Kee, Howard Clark. Understanding the New Testament. Fourth ed.; Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1983. Houston Public Library 225.61 K26 4ED. 1965 edition, HGST 225 KEE c3. A moderately critical modern point of view.

Martin, Ralph P. New Testament Foundations: A Guide for Christian Students. Two vols.; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975. Martin presents a conservative approach to controversial issues.

Vol. 1, The 4 Gospels 225.66 Mar

Marxsen, W[illie]. Introduction to the New Testament; an Approach to its Problems. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1970. HGST 225.61 Mar. A modern critical point of view. Marxsen is known for his "redaction criticism" of Mark.

McNeile, A. H. An Introduction to the Study of the New Testament. Second ed.; Oxford: Clarendon Press, rev. by C. S. C. Williams, 1953.

Miller, Adam. An Introduction to the New Testament. Anderson, IN: The Warner Press, 1961. HGST 225.1 Mil. This is the Church of God, Anderson, publishing house.

Moffatt, James. An Introduction to the Literature of the New Testament. International Theological Library. New York: Scribner, 1925. HGST 225.61 Mof and 225 Mof

Morgan, Carl H. The Layman’s Introduction to the New Testament. Valley Forge, PA: The Judson Press, 1968. HGST 225.61 Mor

Moule, C. F. D. The Birth of the New Testament. New York: Harper & Row, 1962. HGST 270.1 Mou

Peake, A. S. A Critical Introduction to the New Testament. London: Duckworth, 1909. HGST 225.61 Pea

Perrin, Norman, and Dennis C. Duling. The New Testament, An Introduction; Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History. Second edition; under the general editorship of Robert Ferm. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, c. 1982. HGST 225.61; Houston Public Library 225.61 P458 2ED. A modern critical point of view.

Stott, John R. Basic Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970. HGST 225.61 Sto

Tenney, Merrill C. The New Testament: An Historic and Analytic Survey. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1953. (Compare the HGST copy.) A traditional standard text in the previous generation.

Thiessen, Henry Clarence. Introduction to the New Testament. Third ed.; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1943. HGST 225.61 Thi. A traditional standard text in the previous generation. The edition or printing from 1960 has the same call number.

Wikenhauser, Alfred. New Testament Introduction. English trans.; New York: Herder & Herder, 1960. A significant Roman Catholic introduction.

Zahn, Theodor. Introduction to the New Testament. Three vols.; trans. from 3rd German ed.; Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1953. HGST R 225.6 Zah V.1. The standard work for the traditional point of view in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Related Works

Dunn, James D. G. Jesus Remembered. Christianity in the Making, vol. 1. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003.

Ehrman, Bart D. Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.

Gasque, W. Ward, and Ralph P. Martin, edd. Apostolic History and the Gospel. Biblical and Historical Essays Presented to F. F. Bruce on his 60th Birthday. Exeter, England: Paternoster, c. 1970; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. HGST 225 GAS. A traditional point of view.

Green, Joel B. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.

Kümmel, Werner Georg. The New Testament: The History of the Investigation of its Problems. Trans., S. McLean Gilmour and Howard C. Kee; Nashville, New York: Abingdon Press, 1972. Original: Kümmel, Werner Georg. Das Neue Testament; Geschichte der Erforschung seiner Probleme. 2^nd Aufl.; Freiburg/München: Verlag Karl Alber, 1970.

Metzger, Bruce M. The Canon of the New Testament; Its Origin, Development, and Significance. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987. Houston Public Library, 225.12 M596. This work is outstanding, and relates especially to Achtemeier-Green-Thompson, chapter 25.

Moule, C. F. D. Essays in New Testament Interpretation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982. Houston Public Library 225.6 M926.

Neill, Stephen, and Tom Wright. The Interpretation of the New Testament 1861-1986. Second ed.; Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1988. A significant historical review of New Testament scholarship.

Perkins, Pheme. Gnosticism and the New Testament. Fortress Press, 1995.

Robinson, John A. T. Redating the New Testament. Philadelphia: Westminster, c. 1976. Houston Public Library 225.6 M926. Suggests dates radically different from those of the modern consensus.

Syllabus available online at: http://rworden.markworden.com/Docs/Class/NewTestament/Syllabus . . .

List of Comprehensive Internet Sites on Bible, Religion and Related Subjects:

http://rworden.markworden.com/Docs/Class/Gospels/Comprehensive%20Web%20Sites.htm

(Both of the above are available through http://rworden.markworden.com/ under “New Testament” or “Gospels.”