Introduction to the New Testament (BN8002L)

Content

This unit is an introduction to the writings of the New Testament. Students will become familiar with the diverse content and themes of the New Testament by reading substantial selections from it in English translation. They will engage the texts in their historical, literary, and theological dimensions. The unit introduces issues in interpretation, including questions of genre, context and meaning, and methods of study. It also introduces students to the factors that led to the formation of the New Testament canon. The unit encourages reflection on contemporary application of learning.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prohibited with BN8012L

Pedagogy

This unit uses teaching strategies (e.g. mini-lectures, targeted assessment exercises, and class discussion) which encourage student engagement and participation in a variety of learning tasks and opportunities which foster deep learning.

Indicative Bibliography

• Green, Joel, and Lee Martin McDonald, The World of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.
• Jobes, Karen. Letters to the Church: A Survey of Hebrews and the General Epistles. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
• Koester, Craig. Revelation and the End of All Things. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011.
• Porter, Stanley. The Apostle Paul: His Life, Thought, and Letters. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016.
• Powell, Mark Allan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels. 2nd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2018.
• Powell, Mark Allan. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018.
• Roetzel, Calvin. The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context. 6th ed. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2015.

Assessment