Course Description: An introduction to the tools and background necessary for understanding, interpreting, and applying the New Testament to contemporary life, designed to prepare students to intelligently discuss factual material in the New Testament and to make clear critical judgments regarding the validity of various interpretations of the New Testament. Required of all full-time students in the second semester.
Course Schedule
| Date | Class Discussion | Assignment Due |
| 1.10 | Introduction and Orientation | |
| 1.12 | Syllabus | |
| I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth | ||
| 1.15 | OFF: MLK Day | |
| 1.17 | Finding Our Place in the Story | Outline Academic Journal ENT: 1 |
| 1.19 | First Century Culture | ENT: 2 |
| 1.22 | The Reliability of the New Testament | Watch: Can We Trust the Gospels? Sabbath Reflection: Matthew 5.1-12 |
| I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Son Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit And born of the virgin Mary | ||
| 1.24 | Birth and Genealogy of Jesus | ENT: 3; Matt 1-3; Mark 1; Luke 1-2 |
| 1.26 | Baptism and Temptation | ENT: 4; Matt 4-5, Luke 2-5 |
| 1.29 | Teachings of Jesus: Lostness | ENT: 5, Matt 18, Luke 15 Sabbath Reflection: Matt 5.13-20 |
| 1.31 | Teachings of Jesus: Good Samaritan | ENT 9: Matt 14, Mark 6, Luke 9-10 Interview Assignment |
| 2.2 | Miracles of Jesus: Feeding 5,000 | ENT: 6; Matt 8-13, Mark 8-10, Luke 16-18 |
| 2.5 | Parables of Jesus | ENT: 8; Matt 13, 25, Mark 4; Luke 8-14 Sabbath Reflection: Matt 5.21-26 |
| 2.7 | Group Presentation Prep | |
| 2.9 | OFF: Honors Day | |
| He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, He descended to hell. The third he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven And is seated at the right hand of the Father. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead | ||
| 2.12 | Gospel of John: John 1 | Sabbath Reflection: Matt 5.27-32 |
| 2.14 | Q&A | |
| 2.16 | OFF: Jubilee | |
| 2.19 | I am Statements | ENT: 10; John 1-5 |
| 2.21 | I am Statements | ENT: 7; John 6-10 |
| 2.23 | Group Work: Signs | John 11-13 |
| 2.26 | Group Presentations: Signs | ENT 11; John 14-17 Sabbath Reflection: Matt 5.33-48 |
| 2.28 | Trial, Death, and Burial of Jesus | Matt 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24 |
| I believe in the Holy Spirit, The holy catholic church, The communion of saints, The forgiveness of sins, The resurrection of the body, And the life everlasting. Amen. | ||
| 3.1 | Early Church: Peter | Acts 1-7 |
| 3.4 | Early Church: Peter | ENT 13-14; Acts 8-12 Sabbath Reflection: Matt 6.1-19 |
| 3.6 | Early Church: Paul | ENT 15-16; Acts 13-20 |
| 3.8 | Early Church: Paul | Acts 21-28 Journal Check |
| 3.11-15 | OFF: Spring Break | |
| 3.18 | Romans: Gospel Doctrine | ENT: 17; Romans 1-8 |
| 3.20 | Romans: Gospel Culture | ENT 18; Romans 9-16 |
| 3.22 | Galatians: Getting the Gospel Right | ENT 19; Galatians 1-2 1 Corinthians 1-3, 6-7, 15 |
| 3.25 | Galatians: Gospel Life | ENT 21; Galatians 3-6; Colossians |
| 3.27 | What is Salvation? | |
| 3.29 | OFF: Good Friday | |
| 4.1 | OFF: Easter Monday | Sabbath Reflection: Matt 7.1-11 |
| 4.3 | Saints and Models | ENT 22; Hebrews 1-5, 11-13 |
| 4.5 | 1 John: Am I really a Christian? | 1-3 John |
| 4.8 | Centrality of the Church | ENT Epilogue; Ephesians 1-6 Sabbath Reflection: Matt 7.12-20 |
| 4.10 | Last Things and Hope | Revelation 1-5, 19-22 |
| 4.12 | Q&A | |
| 4.15 | Group Prep | Sabbath Reflection 7.21-29 |
| 4.17 | Group Presentations | ENT 23; 1 Peter, Jude |
| 4.19 | Group Presentations | ENT 24 |
| 4.22 | Group Presentations | Journal Check |
| 4.24 | Group Presentations | |
| 4.26 | Group Presentations | |
| 4.29 | Group Presentations | |
| 5.1 | Group Presentations | |
| 5.3 | Review and Q&A | |
| 5.8 | Final Exam | |
Assignments
Family/Friend Interview 5%
With a family member who identifies as a Christian (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, etc.), ask a series of interview questions and write a report on it. Sample questions:
- What is Christianity to you?
- Why and how is Christianity important?
- What do you think is a misunderstanding about Christianity?
- What’s your favorite New Testament book and why?
Academic Journal—30%
Each student is expected to complete the readings each week and be ready to discuss. You are to come to class each day with reflections on the readings, questions to ask, or misunderstandings you have.
You will outline your academic journal early
I will collect your notebooks to check your progress at the midway point.
I will also collect the notebooks at the end of the semester to give you a final grade.
Again: it is expected that you have an entry for every reading.
Sabbath Reflections—20%
Over the course of the semester, you will be required to spend some time in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This passage is perhaps the most famous of Jesus’ teaching and the most misunderstood. I prefer you to do this on a Sunday to get in a rhythm of intentional rest and reflection, but there’s no way I can control that. Regardless, a reflection is due each Monday under the syllabus.
Reflecting could look like observing and interpreting the passage, asking questions of it, noticing what sticks out to you, re-writing it, or, my preferred method, Lectio Divina. Whatever you do, do not summarize it. I want your reflections on what Jesus is saying.
Group Project: New Testament Issues—20%
The Bible addresses a lot of foundational and interesting questions. Considering this, I want this class to be helpful to you in attempting to answer the questions you have. At the start of class, we will identify a key issue or debate on Jesus or the New Testament or an ethical application? Pick a question you want answered.
Groups will consist of 3-4 people. You will take some time to research the question with the goal of a 15-minute presentation where these things are discussed in a non-boring fashion:
- Identify two ways of thought about the topic.
- Investigate. (At least 5 academic sources—not ones you found on Google)
- Introduce it to the class.
- Tell why it matters. Bring conclusions and findings.
Another necessary component of the project is proofing your presentation with the Professor.
You need to meet with me for lunch or coffee. I will lovingly critique and give you some more things to include, consider, and revise. There ought to be significant improvements made by the time presentations start November 12.
Here is a sample list of questions or topics you can research as a group:
Foundations
- What does it mean to be saved?
- Can Christian’s lose their salvation?
- Does God choose us, or do we choose God in salvation?
- What is the relationship between faith and works? Why should I be good if I’m saved?
Theology
- What are the sacraments and why do they matter?
- Is there a correct way to worship and conduct a worship service?
- Is hell real or figurative?
- Should the church focus on evangelism and discipleship or should it include social justice concerns?
Ethics/Culture
- What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
- Should Christians be involved in politics? If not, why? If so, how?
- Is Christianity White Man’s Religion?
Resource List
Final Exam—25%
There will be 5 questions on the final exam. It will be no surprise. Here they are:
- What is the Apostles Creed? (Write it). Then pick any three lines and explain them from the Bible and class.
- Who did Jesus claim to be? How do you know? How did he understand his mission, or what he came to do? How do you know?
- Based on the book of Galatians and Romans, what is salvation? (Give examples).
- Based on readings and the class, if someone said, “I believe in Jesus and he’s forgiven me of my sin, so I can do whatever I want,” how would you respond?
- What is one way this class has challenged you? What’s one truth you found compelling that made you reconsider how you live? If in no way, explain why. What other/better resources do you live by?
In your academic notebook, I would reserve a few pages to compile notes on how you may want to answer these questions.
