NT502, New Testament Survey II

Spring, 2010, 2 Semester Hours

Rev. Mark C. Spellman, M. Div.

Instructor’s Phone:  719.641.7593 (cell) or 719.404.1833 (office)

e-mail:  mcspellman@msn.com

I.                    Purpose

The purpose of this course is to help students become more familiar and use more effectively the New Testament with specific emphasis upon the corpus of writings in the New Testament known as the Pauline Epistles.

Students need to “know” Scripture with their heads and their hearts.  Students of God’s Word should have full command of that Word.  They should be able to use it effectively, locate verses and themes with ease, know major characters and events, and be familiar with the context of important passages that shape the historical/redemptive nature of the Scriptures.

Students will need to know an overview, major themes, outlines and highlights of each book in this study which includes Romans through Philemon.

An element of Biblical Theology will be addressed throughout the course.  This element will include an introduction to Biblical Theology with a Pauline perspective by emphasizing the contrast between the ‘Old Aeon’ and ‘New Aeon’ as the class considers the centrality of the Lord Jesus Christ within the context of Pauline Theology.

II.                  Specific Objectives

Character:

    The student will….

·         Develop an increased passion for the study of God’s Word

·         Grow in his/her conviction that God’s Word is our only rule for faith and practice.

·         Develop a high regard for God’s Word as authoritative, inerrant, and infallible.

Skills:

    The student will. . .

·         Develop an ability to do in-depth, independent, inductive Bible Study.

·         Learn how to address the “New Perspectives” on Paul and their abuse in the church today.

·         Develop an ability to analyze portions of Scripture in order to discern the progression of ideas.

·         Become confident with determining themes and key chapters and verses.

            Knowledge (of each book covered):

                The student will . . .

·         Know major outlines and progression of thought.

·         Be able to locate major themes and subject matter.

·         Be able to locate key chapters and verses.

·         Understand how historical setting and purpose contribute to a proper interpretation of the Pauline Epistles.

Procedure

Method:  For the survey portion of the course, we will use an inductive Bible study method, i.e., the study of the Bible from the specific to the general.  The truth of Scripture is found within Scripture itself and is not forced onto it, i.e., exegesis rather than eisogesis.  Students will learn how to search the Bible for its content.  The instructor will facilitate this learning process.

                  The required and recommended texts will augment the Biblical Theology element of the class.

Class:  The instructor will provide essential background information related to the text(s) covered each week.  Much time will be spent examining these texts and the themes.  Time will be given for clarifying positions individuals have derived from their inductive study. 

Schedule:  The instructor’s intended class reading/assignment schedule will be distributed during the first class session.  Students are expected to attend every class; only two hours of unexcused absences are allowed.  Students are encouraged to make PRIOR arrangement if they must miss class.

Assignments:  The final grade will be determined based on the following components:

1.     Outlines/graphical analyses of each letter (30%)

2.     Précis (20%)

3.     Quizzes (20%)

4.     Final examination (30%)

Students are expected to come to class having read the assigned material and be prepared to contribute to any class discussion.  There will be assignments due most every week of class.  These will be in the form of writing, graphical analyses, outlines and/or précis.

Students should also expect a quiz EACH WEEK at the beginning of class covering the material from the previous week.  The Final Examination is comprehensive and will be given during the last scheduled meeting of the course.

III.               Textbooks: 

Required

      G.E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament, Eerdmans

      Herman Ridderbos, Paul, An Outline of His Theology

      Course Notes

                        Highly Recommended:

      Donald Guthrie, New Testament Introduction, IVP

                  F.F. Bruce, Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free, Eerdmans

IV.                Schedule (Proposed)

A “Schedule of Survey and Biblical Theology” for lecture, reading, quizzes, theological assignments and exam dates will be distributed during the first class session.

      Survey assignments will be issued for specific Pauline Epistles as we progress through the course of study.