• Section 5 (TTh 8–8:50 a.m., 110 JSB): David B. Ridge, dbrjedi@yahoo.com

Course Description: Rel 212 is a survey study of the writings of the second half of the New Testament. We will examine the Book of Acts, the various epistles, and the Apocalypse both as scripture and as ancient texts, setting them in their ancient historical and cultural contexts while examining their doctrinal contributions. Many of these writings were actually compiled before the New Testament gospels and thus represent the earliest Christian accounts of who Christ was, what he did for us, and how we should live as his disciples.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes: This section of Rel 212 has three major objectives, which are in harmony with the College of Religious Education’s Learning Outcomes (see Appendix B):

• First, to increase the student’s knowledge of the New Testament—that is, to familiarize him or her with the basic storylines, characters, and concepts in this book of scripture (a factual learning outcome).
• Second, to help the student read, discuss, and write about the New Testament as both a source of scriptural knowledge and as a sacred text by asking basic historical, literary, and theological questions (a process known as “exegesis,” both a conceptual and application learning outcome).
• Third, to strengthen individual testimonies of sacred truths, particularly of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the Restoration (the main spiritual learning outcome).

Class discussions, quizzes, exams, and the paper will all be formatted with these three overarching objectives in mind. Although both instruction and positive spiritual experiences in class will assist students in seeking the Holy Ghost as an aid in studying and pondering LDS scripture, doctrine and history, the greatest spiritual experiences that students will have this semester will most likely take place outside of class during their individual reading and class preparation as they seriously, and prayerfully, study the scriptures themselves.

Announcements

Upcoming Dates:

Links and Bookmarks

• On New Testament Genres
• Related Course: Huntsman's Rel 211 (New Testament Gospels)
• On Texts and Translations   new
• Structural Analyses (outlines of Acts, the Epistles, and the Apocalypse, broken down into sections and pericopes)
• Lecture outlines and presentations
  • Introductory Lectures
  • Unit 1: Acts
  • Unit 2: Pauline Epistles
  • Unit 3: Hebrews, Catholic Epistles, Johannine Writings, Revelation
• Paper Guidelines
  • Getting Started
  • Instructions for writing an exegetical paper and sample gradesheet (updated 27 Mar 2005)
  • excerpts from Gorman, Elements of Biblical Exegesis
  • Harmon, Exegetical Tips (written for the writing lab)
  • Huntsman, "Teaching through Exegesis" (review of the process of exegesis)
  • For footnote and bibliographic formats, see SBLHandbookExcerpts (*.pdf in landscape; left side of first page is blank, so keep scrolling down!)
• Working Pauline Chronologies new
• A Glossary of Important Terms for New Testament Studies by Prof. Felix Just, S.J. - Loyola Marymount University
• A Brief Overview of each Book and Letter in the New Testament also by Prof. Felix Just, S.J. of Loyola Marymount University.
• The Development of the Canon of the New Testament
• A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity by Daniel Boyarin

Lecture outlines and presentations Handouts of each in-class presentation (2 slides per page) are available at each link below.

Introduction

• 1. Course Introduction.  Course Description, Objectives, and Requirements. Reading Strategies. The Origin of the New Testament. On the KJV and Other Translations. After Class: Read "Introduction to the New Testament," JCWNT, 4–11 (posted online). Also, look over the selections from R. Brown INT, 20–29 (fair-use excerpts posted online) and Huntsman, "The Textus Receptus" and "Greek Manuscripts and Later English Translations" (also online).
• 2. New Testament Background and Interpretation. The Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman Context of the New Testament (brief overview only). The Early Christian Church and the Spread of Christianity. "Interpreting" the New Testament: Hermeneutics and Exegesis. Biblical Criticism and New Testament Genres. Read: "The Greek and Roman Worlds," JCWNT, 28–39 (posted online); Anderson, "Two Restless Worlds," 8–18 (packet, section 5); and Huntsman, "Teaching through Exegesis: Helping Students Ask Questions of the Text" (Religious Educator 6.1 [2005], 107–126, posted online); "Genre Questions: What Kind of Writing Is This Passage?" and "Outlining Books of Scripture" (packet, sections 7 and 8). See also: Millet, "The Saga of the Early Christian Church," 1–11 (packet, section 2); Hall and Welch, charts 2.2, 3.1, and 13.1–2 (packet, section 1); R. Brown INT, 5–15, 20–29, 48–53 (online).

Unit 1: Acts

• 3. Introduction to Acts; Acts 1.Luke’s (Sub)prologue. The Early Christian Community (1:1–26). Forty Day Ministry, Apostolic Commission, and the Ascension of Jesus. Reconstitution of the Twelve. Acts 1:1–26. Also read: "Acts of the Apostles" and "Luke," BD 603–604 and 726; Matthews, "Unto All Nations (Acts)," 24–44 (packet, section 2); excerpt from "Acts," JCWNT, 154–158 (packet, section 3). Look at the outline for Acts (packet, section 7).
• 4a. Appeal to All Israel (Acts 2:1-4:22). The Coming of the Spirit at Pentecost; The Apostolic Kērygma and Other Pre-NT Sources; Peter’s First Speech and the Results of Pentecost; Peter and John’s First Trial; 4b. Life and Trials of the Jerusalem Church (Acts 4:23-8:1a). Life and Trials of the Jerusalem Church; Seven Chosen to Serve; Martyrdom of Stephen. Acts 2:1–8:1a. See also: Hall and Welch, charts 13.6, 13.11 (packet).
• 5. Missions in Samaria and Judea—Preparing for the "Turn to the Gentiles." Persecution Scatters the Church; The Gospel Preached in Samaria; Philip and the Ethiopian Official; The Gospel Preached in Samaria; Simon and simony. Philip and the Ethiopian Official. The Preparation of Saul; Saul’s Vision on the Road to Damascus. Peter’s Demonstrations of the Power of God; Cornelius and Extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles. The Church in Antioch; Herod Agrippa Renews Persecution of the Jerusalem Church. Acts 8:1b–12:23. See also: Hall and Welch, chart 15.17 (packet). “The Later Herodians,” JCWNT, 157 (packet, section 3).
• 6. Missions of Barnabas and Saul. Barnabas and Saul Called: The "First" Mission to Cyprus and Central Asia Minor. "Paul" Takes Center Stage. Psidian Antioch; Paul, Jews, and Gentiles; Lystra. Success among the Gentiles and the Jerusalem Council.  Acts 12:24–15:35. See also: "Paul," BD 742–43. “Paul’s Name,” JCWNT, 185 (packet, section 3).

   Take-home quiz #1 distributed.

Quiz 1 Materials

• Preparing for the first quiz (lectures 1-6)
• Notable Passages List 1 (also located in the back of your packet)
• Review Sheet 1a
• Hard Copy Quiz 1

• 7. Missions of Paul to Asia Minor and Greece. Paul’s "Second" Mission. Timothy Joins Paul and Silas. Philippi; Paul and Silas in Prison; Thessalonika and Berea. Athens; Paul’s Speech on the Unknown God. 18 Months in Corinth. Ministry of Apollos. Paul’s "Third" Mission: Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, and Back to Asia; the Raising of Euthychus; Farewell. Return to Caesarea and Prophecy of Agabus. Acts 15:36–21:14. See also: Hall and Welch, chart 15.4 and 7 (packet). Take-home quiz #1 due.
• 8. Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem, Trial in Caesarea, and Journey to Rome. The Riot in the Temple and Paul’s Defense to the Sanhedrin; the Plot Against Paul; Trials Before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. Paul’s Difficult Sea Voyage; Healed and Healing in Malta. Paul Preaches under Guard in Rome. Acts 21:15–28:31. See also: Hall and Welch, charts 4.6–7, 15.4 (packet). “The Later Herodians,” JCWNT, 157 (packet, section 3).

Exam 1 Materials

• Notable Passages List 1b
• Review Sheet 1b

Exam 1: F28–Sa29Jan; late M31Jan in Testing Center

Unit 2: Pauline Epistles (use the outlines for quick review)

• 9. Life, Ministry, and Theology of Paul. The Three Worlds of Paul; Paul’s Family and the Roman Citizenship. Working Pauline Chronologies. The Pauline Corpus: Writing Ancient Letters, Paul’s Fundamental "Christ Message," and Pauline Concerns. See also: "Paul," BD 742–43; Anderson, "Paul’s Preparation: ‘Fire on Earth,’" 19–38, "Appendix A: Chronology of Paul’s Life," 390–98, "Appendix B: Two Descriptions of Paul," 399–402; Hall and Welch, charts 15.2, 15.7 (packet, section 1).  “The World of Paul,” JCWNT, 178–87 (packet, section 3); Huntsman, “The Occasional Nature, Composition, and Structure of Paul’s Letters,” Sperry 2006, 190–207 (packet, section 4). For Further Background: Richards, "Preparing a Letter: Time and Costs" and "Letters and Inspiration" (online excerpt from Paul and First-Century Letter Writing, 161–170 and 224–29).
• 10. Paul and the Church at Thessalonika. Background. The Parousia and the "Rapture." "As a Thief in the Night." "Except Their Be A Falling Away First," Early Forgeries and False Teachers. 1–2 Thessalonians. See also:  “Pauline Epistles—Epistles to the Thessalonians,” BD 743; “Scribal Additions to New Testament Manuscripts” and “The Coming of the Lord,” JCWNT, 207 and 223–24 (posted online); J. Seely, “Hope for the ‘Children of Light’ as the Darkness Descends (1, 2 Thessalonians),” 146–64 (packet, section 2). Look at the outline for 1–2 Thessalonians (packet, section 7).
• 11. The Challenges of the Judaizers and the Libertines at Galatia. A Speech Within a Letter: Justification by the Faith of Christ over the Works of the Law. 6 Proofs. Ethical Exhortations. Galatians. See also:  “Pauline Epistles—Epistles to the Galatians,” BD 744–45; Horton, “Concern, Correction, and Counsel for Converts (Galatians),” 83–106 (packet, section 2); “Faith and Works in Galatians,” JCWNT, 219–21 (posted online). Look at the outline for Galatians (packet, section 7).
• 12a. Paul’s Joy in the Philippians. An Early Christian Hymn. Warnings against False Teachers. 12b. Onesimus and the Issue of Slavery.  Philippians and Philemon. See also:  “Pauline Epistles—Epistles to the Philippians; Philemon,” BD 745–46; “Prison Epistles,” JCWNT, 244–45 (posted online). Look at the outlines for Philippians and Philemon (packet, section 7).
• 13.Paul’s Corinthian Correspondence; Factionalism and Division at Corinth. Background: Paul’s Visits and Letters to Corinth. Factions. Who Were Paul’s Opponents? "Jesus Christ, and him crucified." 1 Cor 1:1–4:21. Read also: "Pauline Epistles—Epistles to the Corinthians," BD 743–44; D. Seely, "‘Is Christ Divided?’ Unity of the Saints through Charity (1, 2 Corinthians)," 57–68 (packet, section 2); Huntsman, "‘Your Faith Should Not Stand in the Wisdom of Men.’ Greek Philosophy, Corinthian Behavior, and the Teachings of Paul," 1–8 (online); "The Foolishness of the Preaching of the Cross," JCWNT, 232 (posted online). Look at the outline for 1 Corinthians (packet, section 7).
• 14. Problems of Behavior at Corinth; Correct Christian Worship. Glorify God in Body and Spirit. Chastity in the Body of Christ. Problems of Marriage and Celibacy: General Principles of Marital Intimacy; Advice to Specific Groups; the "Present Distress." Christian Freedom and Its Abuse: Problems for Those Strong in the Faith. The Veiling of Women and Grooming of Men. The Lord’ Supper. 1 Cor 5:1–11:34.  Read also: D. Seely, "‘Is Christ Divided?’ Unity of the Saints through Charity (1, 2 Corinthians)," 68–72 (packet, section 2); Huntsman, "‘Your Faith Should Not Stand in the Wisdom of Men.’ Greek Philosophy, Corinthian Behavior, and the Teachings of Paul," 8–26 (online); "Time and Culture Specific Directions," in  JCWNT 215 and 224–26 (posted online).

• 15. Spiritual Gifts in CORINTH; Doctrinal Correction: the Nature of the Resurrection; Housekeeping. Misunderstanding and Misusing Spiritual Gifts. Hymn to Love/Charity. Gift of Prophecy and Tongues—Need for Orderly Worship. Doctrinal Correction: the Resurrection and the Resurrected Body. Paul’s Plans and Commendations. 1 Cor 12:1–16:24. Read also: D. Seely, “‘Is Christ Divided?’ Unity of the Saints through Charity (1, 2 Corinthians),” 71–72 (packet, section 2); “Spiritual Gifts in Corinth,” and “Pagan Temples and Shrines” (esp. in regard to meat markets) in JCWNT 224–26 (posted online).

  Quiz 2 Materials (lectures 9-14)