Unit information: Getting into the New Testament (Trinity & Baptist College) in 2014/15

Unit name	Getting into the New Testament (Trinity & Baptist College)
Unit code	THRS11042
Credit points	10
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. D'Costa
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Jesus of Nazareth changed the world and world history. The gospels are of momentous importance as our earliest accounts of his life and ministry, and the other writings of the New Testament give us fascinating insight into how the first Christians responded to Jesus - corporately and individually, theologically and ethically. Often Christians only study the New Testament piecemeal and devotionally.

This unit will provide an orientation to the New Testament by:

1. exploring the world of the NT;
2. introducing its literary forms;
3. addressing the historical and other issues raised by scholarly study;
4. considering the impact of Jesus and his teaching in his first-century context.

Although the focus of the unit is not on application to today, it will have an eye to its relevance for Christian mission and discipleship.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should be able to:

1. describe Jesus and his ministry and the main themes of his life and ministry in a way that takes his context into account;
2. identify the distinctive emphases of each of the gospels, and to reflect intelligently on the differences and similarities of the gospels ;
3. articulate and discuss some of the major critical and historical questions raised by a study of Jesus and the gospels;
4. describe the major themes of Paul’s letters in a way that takes his context into account;
5. read a New Testament book intelligently and critically, using the scholarly resources that are available and beginning to apply it in a responsible way.

Teaching Information

The unit consists of 18 lectures and 2 seminars. Learning will be enhanced by practical exercise, classroom discussion and work in small groups. Visual materials will play an important part in introducing the historical and cultural backgrounds to the texts.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment will consist of work prepared for discussion and feedback in seminars, with notes being handed in on the day of the seminar. This will not contribute to the overall unit mark.

Summative assessment will be through:

1. Two exegetical comments (500 words each) on verses from different parts of the NT (50%)

2. An essay of 1,000 words (50%)

Reading and References

1. Wenham, D. and Walton, S., Exploring the New Testament vol 1 The Gospels and Acts (SPCK, 2001)
2. Stambaugh, J. and Balch, D., The Social World of the First Christians (SPCK, 1986)
3. Theissen, G., The Shadow of the Galilean (SCM, 1987)
4. Marshall, I.H.,Travis, S. and Paul, I., Exploring the New Testament vol 2 The Letters and Revelation (SPCK, 2002)
5. Bird, M.F., A Bird’s Eye View of Paul (IVP,2008)
6. Ziesler, J.,Pauline Christianity (OUP, 1991)