Interpreting the New Testament (BN8701W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

BN8001W/8701W provides the foundational unit in New Testament studies and serves as a pre-requisite for all other BN units. The unit is based on inductive exegetical workshops that introduce a range of exegetical methods, together with readings and lectures on the genres, background and interpretation of the New Testament. The exegetical exercises sample the Synoptic Gospels, Fourth Gospel, Letters of Paul, and Revelation, in preparation for a final exegetical essay on a text in Matthew, taking into account any Synoptic parallels and the use of Old Testament traditions.

Unit code: BN8701W

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Describe the contents of the New Testament: the types of literature, their particular interpretive demands, their place in the development of the canon, their theological outlook
2.

Describe and analyse relevant aspects of the historical and social world of the New Testament era
3.

Select and use appropriate interpretive approaches to the New Testament in the writing of an exegetical essay
4.

Access and use the tools of New Testament interpretation: lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, primary sources, on-line resources and others
5.

Articulate the relationship of the New Testament to the texts, message and diverse traditions of the Old Testament
6.

Make progress in making the transition from text to life, particularly in terms of theological, hermeneutical and homiletical application
7.

Express understanding of the history of research in New Testament studies and the ability to access and make critical use of library and digital resources in this area

Pedagogy

Exegetical workshops, online forums, lecture MP3s and MP4s

Indicative Bibliography

  • Achtemeier, P. C., J. B. Green and M. Meye Thompson, eds. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2001.
  • Elwell, W. and R. Yarbrough, eds. Encountering the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998; and Readings from the First-Century World: Primary Sources for New Testament Study. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
  • Fee, G. D. and D. K. Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
  • Gorman, M. J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2009.
  • Green, J. B., ed. Hearing the New Testament. Strategies for Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI/Carlyle, UK: Eerdmans/Paternoster, 1995.
  • Green, Joel B. and Lee Martin McDonald, eds. The World of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.
  • Hayes, J. H. and C. R. Holladay. Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook. Atlanta: John Knox, 2007.
  • Johnson, L. The Writings of the New Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999.
  • Via, D. O., ed. Guides to Biblical Scholarship. (Series of booklets on exegetical methods), Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971–2002.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegetical Essay

4000 word exegetical essay

 4000 40.0
Workshop

1000 word workshop paper

 1000 20.0
Workshop

1000 word workshop paper

 1000 20.0
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper

Online tutorial participation (at least 5 entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to weekly exegetical workshops and peer interaction

 1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 8 Oct, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000