It is not so very important for a
person to learn facts. For that he does not really need a
college. He can learn them from books. The value of an
education in a liberal arts college is not the learning of
many facts but the training of the mind to think something
that cannot be learned from textbooks.
(Albert Einstein, 1921, in response to
Thomas Edison’s opinion that a college education is useless)
In much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase
knowledge increase in sorrow.
(Ecclesiastes 1.18)
Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
(Anonymous)
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
(William Butler Yeats)
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Westminster College |
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REL 107: New Testament |
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Spring Semester • 2007 |
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Welcome! |
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Welcome back to campus and to Religion 107: New Testament (or Everything You Always Wanted To Know about the New Testament But Were Too Afraid Or Busy To Ask)! The course title indicates our main objective, which is to provide a general introduction to understanding the New Testament. More specifically, our aim will be
Achieving these goals will not be easy; the course will require hard work on your part. At the same time, you can expect this course to be full of exciting, challenging, enlightening, frustrating, and rewarding experiences. |
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This course is designed so that anyone, religious or not, who does the required work can attain the goals mentioned above. This course is not designed to persuade you to a particular faith or religious point of view. Nor is it intended to build up or disparage existing faith. Students who consider themselves to be followers of any religion, or no religion at all, are all welcome on this semester journey to become better acquainted with the NT, to learn to appreciate it better, and to become informed and responsible interpreters of it. |
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Requirements and evaluation for the course |
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Evaluation |
For my criteria for evaluation of assignments go to Evaluation and read the information carefully.
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Assigned |
The readings are essential and should be completed before the classes for which they are assigned—use your best judgment to divide the readings for each week evenly for each class. Keeping notes on the readings is highly recommended. Occasionally I may assign additional readings, but these will ordinarily be short. You must come to class with written questions or comments you have about the readings (see Participation). The primary focus throughout the course will be on cultivating the ability to ask informed questions about the New Testament based on the knowledge you gain along the way. |
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Annotated map |
You will draw an annotated map of the Roman Empire during the 1st century.
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Exegesis paper |
You will submit a 3–4 page exegesis paper on 1 Corinthians 13. For ideas, look at some critical commentaries in our library (i.e., scholarly books on 1 Corinthians with lots of [foot]notes).
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Terms |
Throughout the semester, you’ll be responsible for learning significant terms covered in our texts or in class (see the “terms” file on the R-drive). You will be responsible for the definitions and, when appropriate, significant biblical passages related to the terms. Use 1) the course texts (e.g., glossary and index), 2) the resources listed in Resources to consider below, or 3) any other appropriate sources of information. The terms may constitute a part of any quiz or exam. |
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Exams & Quizzes |
There will be 2 short quizzes (10–15 minutes long) and 1 longer quiz at midterm (20–30 minutes long). They will cover the materials in the course, including the reading assignments and terms, we will have covered by the time of the quizzes. The final exam will cover the entire sweep of the course. See my Evaluation page under Quizzes and examinations. The instructor reserves the right to administer pop quizzes, the results of which may affect the evaluation of your participation.
In lieu of the final exam, you may take a 30-minute oral exam. You must inform me at least a month before the exam date to discuss this option. |
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Grades |
Grades will be assigned as fairly as possible. See my Evaluation page under Grades for more information. The final grade for the course will consist of the following:
NB: If you have any questions about how you're doing in the course, please make an appointment to see me. |
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Extra |
You may earn extra credit any time during the semester.
: The instructor reserves the right to make the final determination concerning any extra credit. You may submit more than one, but the maximum extra credit earned (in addition to the percentages earned through regular assignments) will be 5%. |
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Required books |
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The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (NRSV), 3rd ed. You may use another Bible, if you wish, but the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB) will be the common text for class assignments and discussions. In all cases, you are encouraged to use other English translations (e.g., NIV) and Bibles in other languages in addition to the NRSV. The Tanakh is especially recommended for comparison of Old Testament passages. |
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Aland, Kurt, ed. Synopsis of the four Gospels. New York: United Bible Societies, 1982. |
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Brown, Michael J. What They Don't Tell You: A Survivor's Guide to Biblical Studies. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000. |
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Ehrman, Bart D. A Brief Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. |
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Recommended books (* = highly recommended) |
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Tanakh. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1985 (5748). |
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Achtemeier, Paul. Inspiration and Authority: Nature and Function of Christian Scripture. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999. |
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Armstrong, Karen. A History of God. New York: Ballantine Books, 1993. |
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Brown, Raymond E. Biblical Exegesis and Church Doctrine. Wipf & Stock, 2002. |
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_____. An Introduction to New Testament Christology. New York: Paulist Press, 1994. |
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_____. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997. |
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_____. Responses to 101 Questions on the Bible. New York: Paulist Press, 1990. |
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Bultmann, Rudolf. Jesus Christ and Mythology. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996. |
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Duling, Dennis C. and Norman Perrin. The New Testament: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History. 3rd ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1994. |
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Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament. New York: Oxford University Press, 1997. |
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_____. The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. |
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Goodacre, Mark. The Synoptic Problem: A Way Through the Maze. London: T. & T. Clark, 2001. |
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Hengel, Martin. Judaism and Hellenism. London: SCM Press, 1974. |
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Miles, Jack. God: a biography. New York: Vintage Books, 1995. |
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Meyer, Paul. The Word in This World. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004. |
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Pelikan, Jaroslav. Jesus through the Centuries: His Place in the
History of Culture. New Haven:
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Robinson, James M. A New Quest of the Historical Jesus. London: SCM Press, 1959. |
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Sanders, E. P. and Margaret Davies. Studying the Synoptic Gospels. London: SCM Press, 1989. |
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Segal, Alan F. Rebecca's Children: Judaism and Christianity in the Roman World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1986. |
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Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1979. (See my "Resources" page under "Miscellaneous" for the first edition of Strunk.) |
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Resources to consider |
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See my Resources page for McGill, AV, & Web resources, esp. The NT Gateway. |
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R-drive: for helpful materials, check not only the course folder but also the "Religion" folder. |
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Bible concordances (McGill library) |
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Ferguson, Duncan S. Bible Basics. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995. |
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Turner, Nicholas. The Handbook for Biblical Studies. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982. |
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Keeping in touch |
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During the semester check your e-mail regularly for the latest messages from me regarding course matters (e.g., changes in the syllabus). Also visit this page for updates to the syllabus, as well as my homepage for other information and resources related to the course. Please feel free to make an appointment any time about any course matters. |
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Tips from former students |
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For some practical advice from former students, see the tips page. |
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One last word … |
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Regardless of how tough all the stuff above sounds, I’m pretty much a nice guy. I promise to be as fair as possible. I recognize that you’ll be quite busy this semester, striving after all your passions. I understand. I have my passions too: my awesome, wonderful family, music, the Bible, the Reformed tradition, nature, mountain biking, fixing things, and food, among other things. But I’m also very passionate about education, both yours and mine—I don’t just mean the business of acquiring knowledge, but more importantly the total development of honorable human beings. I don't require you to share my excitement about all the things we'll cover, but I do expect you to complete all the requirements for the course. To help you do that as well as you can, I will make myself available outside the class time and the office hours. I'll be more than glad to help you out when you're stuck while doing an assignment. Or if you have any questions, concerns, complaints, and even compliments, I will do my best to take the time to listen and offer my opinion or advice. Keep in mind that I'm here to help you learn and to continue learning myself. So, again, welcome to Religion 107: New Testament! |
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o u r s e S c h e d u l e |
MWF 12:50–13:50 PH 113 |
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• = required > = recommended + = read in the library (do not check out) |
bold = primary focus text red bold = important deadline highlight = R-drive file
(only on campus & Internet Explorer) |
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Week 1
Jan 17 W Jan 19 Jan 22 |
•Course syllabus (including Evaluation link; review requirements, expectations & criteria for grading—ask Qs, if you have any) •Fisher: Effective Learning •Ehrman: xvii, xxi, xxv–xxix; Ch. 1 (tip: "Questions for Study and Reflection" provide a helpful review for quizzes & exams) •Brown: Prolegomena; Chs. 1–2 (RoT 1–10)
>NOAB: vii–xxvii; 453–525 ES (skim); 534–35 ES; 543–73; Index (NB: ES pages appear after the NT—skim carefully) >+Brown, Responses: Q1–14 >The NT Gateway (excellent Web resources) >Bible Contradiction & Responses >Johnson & Spong on Jesus' birth >More on Jesus' birth (check out "resources" page) >Chronology (info & links) >Manuscript marginalia (an interesting example) >Do you know how to think? (a self-exam) |
•Copy all relevant Web pages to your hard disk or diskette •Reminder: bring your Qs & Cs to each class (see Participation) •Easter Quiz (NB: take this "quiz" before reading the following) •1Cor 15.3–10 •Mk 15.40–16.8 •Mt 27.55–28.20 •Lk 23.48–24.53 •Jn 19.25–21.25 •Acts 1.1–2.4 •Gos Pet (NB: Q10 on "Easter Quiz") •Memorize the books of the Protestant canon in order (learn correct spelling).
>Ehrman
study aids (helpful for review: chapter summaries, reading guides; quizzes;
other resources)
>Perception
quiz |
•General orientation •Preliminary stuff: terms, concepts & approaches •"What is the New Testament?"
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Week 2
Jan 24 W Jan 26 Jan 29 |
•Ehrman:
Ch. 2
•1 Macc (skim slowly) •Ehrman: Ch. 3
>NOAB: 3–10 AP; 453–71 ES (skim); 507–33 ES (514–25 esp. helpful if you haven't had courses on the Bible or the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible]) >The Greeks (interactive site): read about Socrates, Plato, etc. >Blogging the Bible (an interesting viewpoint that might resonate with your life) |
•1 Macc 1–2; 4.36–61 (Hanukkah)
>Interpreting
Ancient Manuscripts |
•"The Greco-Roman World" •"World of Ancient Judaism" |
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Week 3
Jan 31 W Feb 2 Feb 5 |
•Ehrman:
Ch. 3
•Ehrman:
Ch. 4 >NOAB: 3–6 NT; 491–505, 538–39 ES
>Chalcedonian
definition (excerpts) >Synoptic Problem (summary of theories)
>Gos Thom >Redaction & hermeneutics (funny, interesting & instructive) |
•Know the various Jewish groups & significant characteristics •Know the 4-source hypothesis well
>Synoptic
solutions (found on
The NT Gateway)
•Feeding 5K folks (cf. 2 Sam 6.17–19?):
>Suggested
colors to use to
mark your synoptic texts |
•"World of Ancient Judaism"
•The Gospels |
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Week 4
Feb 7 W Feb 9 Feb 12 |
•Mk 1.1–16.8 (–16.20)
>Chalcedonian definition (excerpts) |
•Paper appointments: Barker–Himes
•Mk 1.1–15 (esp. vv. 9–11, 12–13, 14–15) & ||s
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•Mark: a trend-setter?
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Week 5
Feb 14 W Feb 16 Feb 19 |
•Matthew
>Redaction & hermeneutics (funny, interesting & instructive) >Chalcedonian definition (excerpts) |
•Paper appointments: Korneke–Webler •Last date for proposal: Feb 19 (R-drive; file name = "last name proposal.doc"; see example of file name on R-drive)
•Mt 1.1–17 & ||: the begat list (cf. 1 Chr 1)
•Mt 20.1–16: fair?
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•Matthew: the teacher par excellence |
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Week 6
Feb 21 W Feb 23 Feb 26 |
•Luke •Ehrman: Ch. 7
•+Brown:
Responses, Q54–60
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