New Testament [NT]
Courses NT0214 – NT0218 meet the core requirement for a Gospels course. Additional courses in this group may be taken as electives. The chief aim of these courses is thorough knowledge of one or more of the Gospels with particular attention to interpretation of the Gospels for the sake of Christian ministry. |
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NT0214: The Four Gospels in Global Perspective
An introduction to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) and the Gospel of John as well as the discipline of New Testament study. Attention is paid to the distinct character of each Gospel while also exploring their continuity. Attention is given to both the ancient contexts of each Gospel and the contexts of modern interpreters. Texts are studied in order to equip students to interpret them for the sake of Christian life and ministry.
Full course
NT0215 Gospels: The Gospel According to Matthew
A detailed study of the Gospel according to Matthew, exploring its structure, theology, and teachings within its ancient setting. Attention is given to the Gospel’s theological and ecclesial significance today, particularly for preaching, teaching, faith formation, and its understandings of mission and discipleship. To form and equip students as biblical interpreters, the course considers various interpretive traditions and explores what it means to read, teach, or preach Matthew theologically.
Full course
NT0216 Gospels: The Gospel According to Mark
A detailed analysis of the Gospel according to Mark with special attention given to its literary coherence, narrative rhetoric, historical setting, and distinctive theological witness. To form and equip students as biblical interpreters, the course considers various interpretive traditions and explores what it means to read, teach, or preach Mark theologically.
Full course
NT0217 Gospels: The Gospel According to Luke
A detailed analysis of the Gospel according to Luke, attending to the themes, theology, and teaching of the Gospel within its ancient setting, as well as its significance for our own time. The course highlights both the distinctiveness of Luke and its similarities to the other Gospels. To form and equip students as biblical interpreters, the course considers various interpretive traditions and explores what it means to read, teach, or preach Luke theologically.
Full course
NT0218 Gospels: The Gospel According to John
A detailed analysis of the Gospel of John that explores its themes, literary characteristics, and theology within its ancient setting, as well as its significance for our own time. The course addresses both the similarities and differences between John and the other Gospels. To form and equip students as biblical interpreters, the course considers various interpretive traditions and explores what it means to read, teach, or preach John theologically.
Full course
Courses NT0230-NT0254 meet the core requirement for an Epistles course. Additional courses in this group may be taken as electives. The chief aim of these courses is to introduce students to the epistles of the New Testament, especially the Pauline epistles. Each course will introduce students to the Pauline tradition through the study of one or more epistles. LG 0220 (New Testament Greek) is a prerequisite for these courses, except for M.Div. students who have chosen the Spanish for Ministry option instead of New Testament Greek. |
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NT0230 Epistles: Romans through Revelation
An overview of the Pauline Letters, Hebrews, the General Letters, and Revelation as Christian scripture. Students develop a nuanced outlook on the contents and theological varieties of these writings. Students consider how they lead others in making sense of the New Testament in light of current realities and for the sake of exploring and articulating Christian faith.
Prerequisite: LG0220 New Testament Greek (or LG4525 for M.Div. students who choose the Spanish for Ministry language option instead of New Testament Greek).
Full course
NT0240 Epistles: Philippians and 2 Corinthians
A study of Paul’s writings to the Philippian and Corinthian churches. Attention is given to structure, use of language, coherence, and theology in their ancient settings and in contemporary understanding.
Prerequisite: LG0220 New Testament Greek (or LG4525 for M.Div. students who choose the Spanish for Ministry language option instead of New Testament Greek).
Full course
NT0245 Epistles: Galatians and 1 Corinthians
A study of Paul’s writings to the Galatian and Corinthian churches. Attention is given to structure, use of language, coherence, and theology in their ancient settings and in contemporary understanding.
Prerequisite: LG0220 New Testament Greek (or LG4525 for M.Div. students who choose the Spanish for Ministry language option instead of New Testament Greek).
Full course
NT0250 Epistles: Paul’s Letters to the Romans
How do Christian communities today receive, embrace, and embody the righteousness and justice of God? An exegetical study of Paul’s letter to the Romans, this course gives primary attention to exegetical and theological issues that arise from a close reading of this text and their implications for faith and ministry in the church of today.
Prerequisite: LG0220 New Testament Greek (or LG4525 for M.Div. students who choose the Spanish for Ministry language option instead of New Testament Greek).
Full course
NT0254 Epistles: Galatians and Philippians
A study of Paul’s writings to the Philippian and Galatian churches. Attention is given to structure, use of language, coherence, and theology in their ancient settings and in contemporary understanding.
Prerequisite: LG0220 New Testament Greek (or LG4525 for M.Div. students who choose the Spanish for Ministry language option instead of New Testament Greek).
Full course
NT1220 Ancient Erotics
How might the writers and readers of early Christian literature have conceptualized intimacy? And how might love have shaped their understandings of God, Christ, and the church? Particular attention will be given to the following topics: the ancient debate between philosophy and poetry over the advisability of falling in love; the physiology of emotion; Christian texts dealing with sex and marriage; patristic and medieval erotic readings of New Testament texts. This course will be taught on the basis on English translations of Greek and Latin texts.
Full course
NT1230 Interpreting the Passion Narratives
An investigation of the Gospels’ depictions of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and execution. The course explores historical, literary, and theological dimensions of the Passion accounts, as well as how each one functions within its respective Gospel. Attention is given to how these texts have been variously interpreted in theological scholarship, in the popular imagination, and in the visual and performing arts. Study of the Passion leads to deeper consideration of how these narratives, and the interpretations that derive from them, can inform Christian proclamation, teaching, and ministry today.
Half course
NT1250 The Acts of the Apostles
Exegesis of selected passages from Luke’s narrative of the early church’s geographical and theological growth. Special attention is given to the literary coherence of Acts, key theological motifs, points of interpretive controversy, questions of the book’s historical and theological purposes, its depiction of communities and their decision-making, and the ways that this book might inform Christian ministry today. Sections based on either Greek or English text.
Full course
NT2230 Resurrection in the New Testament
This course examines some of the ways that New Testament texts variously portray and interpret Jesus’s resurrection and its implications for Christians, both in the present and future. It attends to the literary, historical, and theological dimensions of a range of New Testament texts in order to discern the particular claims they make about resurrection. Special attention is given to engaging the theological and practical implications of New Testament understandings of Jesus’s resurrection for the Church and to equipping students to teach and proclaim resurrection as fundamental to Christian life.
Prerequisite: Gospels (NT 0214–NT 0218)
Full course
NT4227 Genesis to Revelation
This course follows the sweep of the Biblical story from the dawn of creation to the New Jerusalem. Narrative portions of the Bible give the course its basic structure, with major poetic and prophetic texts, New Testament epistles, and apocalyptic writings woven in along the way. Students encounter key parts of virtually every Biblical book from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. The class is designed so that participants experience the Scriptures, as words on the page are transformed into sight and sound through readings, music, drama, and large screen photographs. During course, class members create their own study Bibles and design materials for teaching the Biblical story in creative ways.
Full course
NT4282 Interpreting the Passion Narratives
An investigation of the Gospels' depictions of Jesus' betrayal, trial and execution. The course explores historical, literary, and theological dimensions of the Passion accounts, as well as how they function within their respective Gospels. Attention is given to how these texts have been interpreted in theological scholarship and in the visual and performing arts, and to how they can inform Christian proclamation and ministry today.
Half course
NT4285 Jesus Real to Reel
An investigation of the story of Jesus in film. Participants will study contemporary constructions of the context, character and work of Jesus in film and bring those constructions into dialogue with historical Jesus scholarship and the discipline of narrative theology.
Full course
NT4297 Guided Reading and Research in New Testament
An independent study for qualified students under the personal supervision of a member of the division. Consult faculty within division.
NT6250 The Acts of the Apostles
Exegesis of selected passages from Luke’s narrative of the early church’s geographical and theological growth. Special attention is given to the literary coherence of Acts, key theological motifs, points of interpretive controversy, questions about the book’s historical and theological purposes, its depiction of communities and their decision-making, and the ways that this book might inform Christian ministry today.
Full course
NT6298/8299 Guided Reading and Research in New Testament
An independent study for students in Advanced Theological Education. Consult faculty within division and Advanced Theological Education Office.