REL 107 syllabus

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)

The growing precision of our understanding should enhance, and not diminish our sense of wonder.

Without education we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously.

Westminster College
REL 107: New Testament
Spring Semester • 2013

Welcome!

Welcome to Religion 107: New Testament. This course is a general introduction to and an exploration of the New Testament. More specifically, you will be able to:

•	discuss what the New Testament is and what its significance is for Western culture, for the world, and for us
•	discuss the contents of the NT, including major themes and issues
•	examine carefully and critically passages from a variety of NT books as well as from extra-canonical sources
•	discuss the meaning(s) of NT passages in their historical contexts (e.g., cultural, geographical, literary, political contexts) as well as in relation to contemporary thought
•	identify methodological issues involved in biblical interpretation
•	demonstrate exegetical skills using modern methods of interpretation, especially the historical-critical method
•	demonstrate an appreciation of biblical texts that is both critical and creative

Achieving these goals will require hard work on your part, which will bring many challenging, enlightening, exciting, frustrating, and rewarding experiences.

Accessibility Statement:

Westminster College actively strives for the full inclusion of all our students. Students with disabilities who require access solutions for environmental or curricular barriers should contact Faith Craig, Director of Disability Resources: 209 Thompson-Clark Hall; 724-946-7192; craigfa@westminster.edu .

Caveat

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, although an informed understanding of the New Testament can lead to a deeper appreciation of Christianity. Students who consider themselves to be followers of any religion, or of no religion at all, are welcome on this semester journey to become better acquainted with the New Testament, to learn to appreciate it better, and to become informed and responsible interpreters of it.

Requirements and evaluation for the course

Evaluation

For my criteria for evaluation of assignments go to Evaluation and read the information carefully.

NB: If you have any questions about any assignment, please ask in class or make an appointment to see me.

NB: If you have any questions about how you are doing in the course, please make an appointment to see me.

Assigned

readings

Assigned readings should be completed before the class for which they are assigned—use your best judgment to divide the readings evenly for each week. 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 at least 2 written questions or comments you have about the readings (see Participation). The primary focus throughout the course will be on NT texts and on cultivating the ability to ask informed questions about them based on the knowledge you gain along the way.

NB: Not all the assigned readings may be covered in class discussions or exams, but they are required for your edification. The more you refer to them in class and in your work, the more impressive your mastery of the readings will be.

Map paper

You will draw a map of the Roman Empire during the first century and write a paper on one of the places on the map.

•	You must draw (or trace) the map by hand (on a letter-size paper). How colorful or artistic the map is will not affect the grade.
•	The map must show important boundaries, territories, and cities of the Roman Empire, as well as the most significant places in Palestine, including the main areas of Jesus' ministry. The map should include at least the following: Alexandria, Antioch, Athens, Jerusalem, Rome.
•	Write a paper (2–3 pages) about one of the places (area or city). Include: 1) basic or notable facts about the place 2) reasons for its significance for the Roman Empire or for understanding the New Testament, or for both NB: Do not just report where or how many times in the NT the place is mentioned. Do not write mere summaries or paraphrases of biblical narratives.
•	Follow all the instructions given on my Evaluation page under Written assignments. Use endnotes or footnotes to document your sources following the Chicago Manual of Style (or Turabian)—for help: NoodleTools. Learn the automatic footnote function of your word processor.
•	The Oxford Bible Atlas and the maps at the end of NOAB (see "Recommended books" below) are good places to start. For a little extra help click here and here.
•	As soon as you submit your paper, make an appointment to review your graded paper with me.

NB: You may be given the chance to revise your paper after the initial evaluation. Should you choose to do so, your revision will be evaluated and the final grade will be the average of the two.

Exegesis

paper

You will submit an exegesis paper on 1 Corinthians 15 at Turnitin.com. In choosing a specific part or theme within 1 Corinthians 15, consult critical commentaries and academic journals, i.e., scholarly books and articles with lots of (foot)notes. For help with exegesis, see the Exegesis guidelines page. You may also find the Tips for writing papers helpful.

Make an appointment as early as you can in the semester to discuss (1) your paper idea and (2) your preliminary bibliography (bring a hard copy). The narrower and more specific your thesis—i.e., the argument you plan to make in your paper—the better.

•	The paper should be 3–4 pages long.
•	Include at least a historical-critical understanding of the text(s) and present possible meanings in it (them).
•	If possible, include an analysis of the structure of the text(s).
•	The paper should represent original work (i.e., your own thoughts), not a mere digest of other people's opinions. Your own reading and re-reading of the relevant texts, as well as review of other materials, are fundamental to the task. I want to know what you discover in your engagement with the biblical text, whether or not you agree with the course books, commentaries, or opinions presented in class, including mine. NB: Focus on honing your ability to argue for your opinions and conclusions by supporting them with evidence from texts (especially primary texts) and other relevant sources.
•	Your final bibliography (not just "works cited") must contain at least 8 sources used in your paper, including 4 periodical (journal) articles. NB: Electronic sources count only if you provide evidence that they are scholarly sources. Use endnotes or footnotes to document your sources following the Chicago Manual of Style (or Turabian)—for help: NoodleTools. Learn the automatic footnote function of your word processor.
•	Follow all the instructions given on my Evaluation page under Written assignments.

Terms

Throughout the semester, you will 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, 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.

Quizzes

exams

There will be a midterm exam covering all the materials in the course, including the reading assignments and terms we will have covered by the time of the exam. The final exam will cover the entire sweep of the course. There may be pop quizzes, the results of which will affect the evaluation of your participation. See my Evaluation page under Quizzes and examinations.

In lieu of the final exam, you may take a 30-minute oral exam. You must meet with me before April 15 to discuss this option.

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:

•

exegesis paper

30%

NB: participation is a significant part of this course.

See my Evaluation page under Participation

for more information and instructions.

•

final examination

20%

•

map paper

20%

•

midterm exam

15%

•

participation (including pop quizzes)

15%

NB: If you have any questions about any assignment, please ask in class or make an appointment to see me.

NB: If you have any questions about how you are doing in the course, please make an appointment to see me.

Extra credit

You may earn extra credit any time during the semester.

•	Submit a 2–3 page reflection paper relating something from popular culture (e.g., movie, play, TV show, book, any performance) to a particular New Testament text or theme (consult the instructor). The paper should be mostly critique and not a mere plot summary.
	Do other extra credit assignments described in the file on the R-drive.

NB: The instructor reserves the right to make the final determination concerning any extra credit. You can earn a maximum of 5% toward the final grade. You may write more than one, if you wish, but you won't receive more than 5% total in extra credit.

Required books
•	Brown, Michael J. What They Don't Tell You: A Survivor's Guide to Biblical Studies. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000.
•	Gundry, Robert. A Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.
•	Throckmorton, Burton H. Jr. Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Recommended books (* = highly recommended)
*	The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (NRSV), 3rd ed. (NB: table of contents, introductions, essays, tables, glossary, maps—all are very helpful) 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.
*	Achtemeier, Paul. Inspiration and Authority: Nature and Function of Christian Scripture. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999.
*	Brown, Raymond E. Biblical Exegesis and Church Doctrine. Wipf & Stock, 2002.
*	_______. An Introduction to New Testament Christology. New York: Paulist Press, 1994.
*	_______. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997.
*	_______. Responses to 101 Questions on the Bible. New York: Paulist Press,1990.
*	Bultmann, Rudolf. Jesus Christ and Mythology. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996.
	Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament and Other Early Christian Writings. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
	Goodacre, Mark. The Synoptic Problem: A Way Through the Maze. London: T. & T. Clark, 2001.
*	Meyer, Paul. The Word in This World. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.
	Pelikan, Jaroslav. Jesus through the Centuries: His Place in the History of Culture. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1985.
*	Robinson, James M. A New Quest of the Historical Jesus. London: SCM Press, 1959.
	Sanders, E. P. and Margaret Davies. Studying the Synoptic Gospels. London: SCM Press, 1989.
	Segal, Alan F. Rebecca's Children: Judaism and Christianity in the Roman World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1986.
*	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.)

Resources to consider
	See my Resources page for McGill, AV, & Web resources, esp. The NT Gateway.
	Bible concordances (McGill library)
	Ferguson, Duncan S. Bible Basics. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995.
	Turner, Nicholas. The Handbook for Biblical Studies. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982.

Keeping informed and in touch
During the semester check your e-mail regularly for messages regarding course matters (e.g., changes in the syllabus). Visit and reload this page for updates to the syllabus; see also my homepage for other information and resources related to the course. Please feel free to make an appointment any time about any course matters.

from former students

~~For some practical advice from former students, see the tips page.~~

One last word . . .

Regardless of how demanding all of this is, I promise to be as fair as possible. I recognize that you will be very busy this semester pursuing various obligations and passions. I understand. I have my passions too, e.g., my family, music, philosophy, nature, mountain biking, fixing things, food. But I am also very passionate about education, both yours and mine—I mean not just the business of acquiring knowledge but more importantly the total development of honorable human beings. I do not require you to share my excitement about all the things we will cover, but I do expect you to complete 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 will be glad to help you when you are struggling with 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 response. Keep in mind that I am here to help you learn. So, again, welcome to Religion 107: New Testament.

C o u r s e S c h e d u l e REL 107

MWF 1030–1130 PH 108

Date

Assigned readings

• = required

> = recommended

+ = read in the library (do not check out)

Project / texts

bold = primary text(s) for class discussion

red bold= dates to remember

highlight = R-drive file

Class / topics

Week 1

Jan 16 W

Jan 18

Jan 22 T

•Course syllabus (including Evaluation link; review requirements, expectations & criteria for grading—ask Qs, if you have any)

•Fisher: Effective Learning

•Gundry: 14; Preface; Introduction; ch. 1 (22–30; 31–37)

•1 Macc (skim slowly)

•Brown: Prolegomena; ch. 1

•recommended resources

•Keep (& update) copies of all relevant webpages

•Reminder: bring your Qs & Cs to each class (see Participation)

•1 Macc 1–2; 4.36–61 (Hanukkah)

•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).

•The Greeks (interactive site)

•Optical conditioning

•Optical Illusions

•Xmas Quiz

•Greek NT: 1st page

•General orientation

•World-view (ppt link)

•Adam and Eve

•Context & perspective

•What do you see?

•Greek NT: 1st page

•Manuscript

•anachronismism

Week 2

Jan 23 W

Jan 25
Jan 28

•Gundry: chs. 2–3

•Brown: Rule of Thumb 1–10

>recommended resources

•Know the various Jewish groups & significant characteristics

•Translation comparison

•Transmission errors

•Manuscript

•Reminder: bring your Qs & Cs to each class (see Participation)

•NT context & environment

Week 3

Jan 30 W

Feb 1

Feb 4

•Gundry: chs. 4–6

•Brown: Rule of Thumb 11–19
•+Sanders & Davies: Synoptic Gospels, 51–119 (skim)

•+R. Brown: Intro to NT Christology: 105–7 ("Portraits of Jesus"); 155–61 ("A Brief History of the Development of the Royal Messianic Hope in Israel"); 817–30 ("The Historical Jesus")

•Charlesworth: "The Historical Jesus and Exegetical Theology" (Princeton Seminary Bulletin 33 [2001]: 45–63)

•Nicene Creed & Apostles' Creed

•Gos Thom (also Gos Thom)

•Sec Gos Mk (also Sec Gos Mk)
•Gos Pet
•Inf Gos Thom
•Prot Jas

•Know the Mark-Q hypothesis well

•use colors in the Parallels book with colors

•Feeding 5K (cf. 2 Sam 6.17–19?):

Mk 6.30–44 (cf. 8.1–10; 19–20)

Mt 14.13–21 (cf. 15.32–39; 16.9–10)

Lk 9.10–17

Jn 6.1–15

•Review beginnings of the Gospels

•Mt 10.2–4 & ||s: who were the disciples (NB: order)

•Phraseology: KoG & KoH

>recommended resources

•Literary & historical matters

•Historical Jesus?

Week 4

Feb 6 W

Feb 8

Feb 11

•Mk 1.1–16.8 (–16.20)
•Gundry: ch. 7

•Brown: Rule of Thumb 20–24

>recommended resources

•Mk 1.1–15 (esp. vv. 9–11, 12–13, 14–15) & ||s
•Mk 4.1–20 (esp. vv. 11–13), 33–34 & ||s: purpose of parables?
•Mk 4.35–41 & ||s: power over nature (cf. Gen 1.1–3)
•Mk 6.1–6a & ||s: unable or unwilling to do mighty works?
•Mk 8.1–9.1 (esp. 8.27–33, 9.1) & ||s
•Mk 15.33–16.8 (–16.20) & ||s: What really happened?

•use colors in the Parallels book with colors

•Mark: a trend-setter?
•Suffering Messiah

Week 5

Feb 13 W

Feb 15

Feb 18

•Matthew

•Gundry: ch. 8

•Brown: Rule of Thumb 25–28; ch. 5

>recommended resources

•Mt 1.1–17 & ||: the begat list (cf. 1 Chr 1)

•Mt 1.18–2.23 & || (?): where did Joseph & Mary live?
•Xmas Quiz
•Mt 5.1–7.27 & ||s (?): Sermon on the Mount (walk this way; talk thisway)
•Mt 5.3–12 & ||: Beatitudes
•Mt 5.17–20; 7.21–23: Torah (cf. Heb 3.1–6)
•Mt 6.5–15 (cf. Lk 11.1–4): Lord's Prayer
•Mt 7.12: Golden Rule
•Sermon on the Mount
•Phraseology: KoG & KoH
•Mt 10.1–11.1 & ||s
•Mt 10.34–39: anti-family?
•Mt 13.1–52 & ||s
•Mt 18.1–35 & ||s
•Mt 19.1–11 & ||s

•Mt 20.1–16: fair?
•Mt 21.1–11 & ||s: how many animals can Jesus ride?
•Mt 25.31–46: sheep & goats

•use colors in the Parallels book with colors

•Matthew: the teacher par excellence

Week 6

Feb 20 W

Feb 22

Feb 25

•Luke

•Gundry: ch. 9

•Luke: pairs

>recommended resources

•Lk 1.46–55: radical song?

•Lk 3.23–38 (cf. Mt 1.1–17): significance?
•Lk 4.1–13: when will the devil return? (see 22.3)
•Lk 4.14–30: why are they outraged? (cf. 1.46–55; 4.14–30)
•Lk 6.17–38, esp. 24–26: cf. Mt

•Lk 10.25–37: who's the neighbor?
•Cotton Patch: Lk 10.25–37
•Lk 10.27 & ||s; Dt 6.4–5; Lev 19.18; Rom 13.9; Gal 5.14; Jas 2.8
•Lk 10.38–42: women disciples?
•Lk 11.1–4 (cf. Mt 6.7–13): which Lord's Prayer should Christians pray?

•Lk 15.11–32: lost & found?
•Cotton Patch: Lk 15
•Lk 16.1–9: huh? fair?

•Lk 22.7–23 & ||s: Last Supper (when was it? which was first: bread or wine?)

•use colors in the Parallels book with colors

•Luke: champion of the outcast

Week 7

Feb 27 W

Mar 1

Mar 4–10 (break)

Mar 11 M

•Jn 1.1–21.25

•Gundry: ch. 10

>1–3 Jn

>recommended resources

•Mar 1: Last day for the map paper (Turnitin.com)

•logos ("the Word") in English: highlight or note all the English definitions (tip: look for the breaks or spaces); also here

•Jn 1.1–18: Logos Christology

•Jn 3.1–21; 4.1–42; 6; 10; 20

•Jn 6.22–71: eat what?

•Jn 8.1–30

•Jn 10.22–42

•Jn 11.1–44

•Jn 12.27–36; 44–50; cf. Mk 14.32–42 & ||s): agony?

•Jn 13.1–20; 31–35: eat or feet?

•Jn 13.31–35: how would others know?

•Jn 14.1–14

•Jn 18.1–11; cf. ||s: the arrest

•Jn 20.19–29 (esp. vv. 22, 28); cf. Lk 24.36–43

•Phraseology: KoG & KoH

•Bring notes on the exciting, interesting, puzzling, or even upsetting thing you discovered in your study of the Gospels.

•John: love divine

Week 8

Mar 13 W

Mar 15

Mar 18

•Course syllabus (including Evaluation link; review requirements, expectations & criteria for grading—ask Qs, if you have any)

•Acts
•Gundry: ch. 11

>recommended resources

•Acts 2; 10–11; 15.1–35: the spirit moves in mysterious & blasphemous ways

•Acts 9.1–22; 22.4–16; 26.9–18: reports of Paul's conversion
•Acts 17.16–34: apostle among philosophers in Athens
•Acts 28.30–31

•Mar 13: midterm exam

•Acts: the early church, from Jerusalem to Rome

Week 9

Mar 20 W

Mar 22

Mar 25

•Galatians
•1 Thessalonians
•2 Thessalonians
•Gundry: ch. 12

•Wrede on Paul

•The End Is Always Near (skim)

>recommended resources

•2 Pet 3.15–16: what does this say about Paul?

•Gal 1.13–17 (cf. Acts 9.1–22; 22.4–16; 26.9–18): Paul's call
•Isa 49.1–6

•Jer 1.1–10

•1 Thess 4.13–5.11 (cf. 1 Cor 15.51–53): Paul's (early) eschatology

•Gal 2.11–14 (cf. Acts 10–11): Gentiles & Jews in the church
•Gal 3 (cf. Rom 4), Rom 7.7–13: what about the Torah?
•Gal 3.23–29; cf. 1 Cor 12.12–13 (cf. Col 3.1–11): freedom in Christ

•Trying to understand Paul
•Second founder of Christianity?

•Pauline eschatology

•Faith (pistis) & freedom
•Galatian problem with freedom

Week 10

Mar 27 W

Mar 28 R

Mar 29–

Apr 1 (break)

Apr 3 W

•1 Corinthians
•2 Corinthians
•Romans
•Gundry: ch. 13

>recommended resources

•1 Cor 6.1–20; 10.14–33; 15.51
•1 Cor 12: unity
•1 Cor 13 (cf. Rom 13.8–10; John 13.34–35; Gal 5.14; Mk 12.28–34; Mt 22.34–40; Lk 10.27; Jas 2.8; Lev 19.18): apostle of love

•Rom 1.1–6: Paul's Christology
•Rom 9–11: what about Israel?
•Rom 13.8–10 (cf. 1 Cor 13; John 13.34–35; Gal 5.14; Mk 12.28–34; Mt 22.34–40; Lk 10.27; Jas 2.8; Lev 19.18): apostle of love

•Corinthians: Unity & freedom in Christ
•Corinthian problem with freedom

•Romans: Faith (pistis) & freedom again

Week 11

Apr 5 F

Apr 8

Apr 10

•Philemon
•Colossians
•Ephesians
•Philippians
•Gundry: ch. 14

•Phil 2.6–11; 3.2–11

>recommended resources

•Philippians: joy & the Parousia

•Faith (pistis) & freedom in Philemon

Apr 12 F

Movie night at the Nas' 7:47 PM-ish

Feel free to bring DVDs or VHSs of movies you think your classmates should see.

For directions click here.

Week 12

Apr 12 F

Apr 15

Apr 17

•1 Timothy
•2 Timothy
•Titus
•Hebrews
•Gundry: chs. 15–17

>recommended resources

•Who's in charge?:

1 Cor 11.3–16

Eph 5.21–6.9

Col 3.18–4.1

1 Tim 2.8–15

1 Pet 2.18–3.7

(cf. Rom 10.11–13; Gal 3.27–29; 1 Cor 12.12–13; Col 3.9–11)

•Heb 2.1–4; 3.1–6 (cf. Mt); 5.7

•Heb 2.14–18; 4.14–16: Christology
•1 Pet 2.11–4.11 (esp. 2.13–17, 18–25): faith & societal issues
•2 Pet 3.1–18: the delay of the Parousia

•Pastorals & Catholic letters

•Pauline tradition: Paul revisited, revised?

•The early church organizes: on the way to "orthodoxy"?

•Who’s in charge?: the masculinization of the church & gospel of freedom

•Faith under fire

Week 13

Apr 19 F

Apr 22

Apr 26 F

•James
•1 Peter
•2 Peter
•1–3 John
•Jude
•Revelation
•Gundry: ch. 17–18

•The End Is Always Near (skim)

•Jas 2.14–26: not quite Paul (cf. Mt)
•Rev 1.1–3
•Rev 5.6; 12.3–9; 13.11–18: portrait of good & evil
•Rom 13.1–7, 1 Tim 2.1 & 1 Pet 2.13–17: faith & the empire