Intro to the New Testament

March 29 Update: You can now see

A Synopsis of Class Schedule

Version 1.4 (last update: 05/16)

Introduction to the New Testament

Spring 2020

Instructor: Pamela Eisenbaum

 

N.B.1  This schedule is subject to change, though any alterations of assignments would be very minor.

N.B.2 WBC=Women’s Bible Commentary; JANT=Jewish Annotated New Testament

 

Mar 23       What is the NT? | Introducing Jesus | Introducing Ourselves

• 1 Corinthians 15
• Ehrman, chaps. 1 & 4: “What is the New Testament?”; “The Traditions of Jesus in their Greco-Roman Context”

 

Mar 30      A Secret Messiah: Gospel of Mark | The Greco-Roman Context

• Gospel of Mark
• Ehrman, 5
• Patterson, pp. 1-38 : “Introduction,” “Prologue,” “Victim,”
• Peruse notes on Mark in JANT

 

Apr 06      A New Moses? Gospel of Matthew | Judaism of the First Century

• Gospel of Matthew
• Eisenbaum, Paul, chaps. 5,6,7 (pp. 67-131; these chaps. function as a brief introduction to the beliefs and practices of ancient Judaism)
• Ehrman, chaps. 3, 6
• Peruse notes on Matthew in JANT

 

Apr 13      Rejected Prophet & World Savior: Gospel of Luke | Introducing the Synoptic Problem

• Gospel of Luke
• Ehrman, 7, 9 (only 131-137)
• Peruse notes on Luke in JANT
• Mini Terms Quiz

 

Apr 20     Gathering Days: Out of This World: John | Comparing Gospels | Jesus of History and Faith

• Gospel of John
• Ehrman, chaps. 8, 10
• Patterson, pp. 39-end: “Martyr,” “Sacrifice,” “Epilogue,” “Conclusion”
• Excerpts from the Synopsis of the Four Gospels (scan)
• Excerpts from Thomas (online)
• This week is "Gathering Days" so we will meet synchronously (though not for eight hours!)
  
  • Day One: Two hours together as a class (part of which we will break into groups)
  • Day Two: I will meet with each cohort for one hour.
  • Agenda: Understanding each Gospel’s agenda by comparing their portraits of Jesus 2) Understanding the Synoptic Problem and its significance for the historical Jesus and the Christ proclaimed by followers of the second-third-fourth generations. 3) Discussion Steve Patterson's book.

 

Apr 27    Midterm | The Book of Acts

• Acts chaps 1-16; 26-28
• WBC: Margaret Aymer “Acts” (scan)
• Ehrman, 11
• Midterm Quiz on Terms and Scripture I.Ds April 28th
• Midterm Essay questions will be distributed on April 29th.

 

May 04    Introducing Paul | 1 Thessalonians, Philippians & 1 Corinthians

• 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians
• Eisenbaum, Paul, chaps. 2, 8, 9, 10, 11
• Ehrman, 13, 14
• Optional : WBC: Jouette Bassler, “1 Corinthians” (scan) or TBA
• Midterm Essay Exam due May 4th at 11:59

 

May 11    Romans

• Romans
• Stendahl, Final Account (entire)
• WBC: Beverly Gaventa, “Romans” (scan)
• Ehrman, 16
• Peruse notes on Romans in JANT

                       

May 17    Jesus & Paul: The Next Generation| Hebrews

• Ephesians; 1-2 Timothy; Titus
• Acts of Paul and Thecla (provided)
• Hebrews
• Ehrman, chaps. 17-18
• Native Land: Clarice Martin, “1& 2 Timothy, and Titus”
• WBC: Margaret McDonald, “The Religious Lives of Women in the Early Church”
• Final Exam Essay Questions distributed May 21^th.

 

May 25    Final Week | study hard!

Final Exam Essay portion due May 28th  @ 11:59 p.m.

Final quiz May 29th @ 11:59

 

 

 

.  You can now see

Intro NT 2020 Assignments and Evaluation

Updated 05/11/20

 

Mini Practice Quiz 0%

            Multiple Choice on Terms

            Multiple choice on scripture I.D.s

 

Midterm 30%

Multiple Choice on Terms + Multiple choice on Scripture I.D.s = 10%

Short Essays – 20%

 

Final 40%

            Multiple choice questions based on terms = 10%

            Essay Questions = 30%

           

Participation 30%

           Post in your group by Thursday at 11:59 each week.

Attendance/Participation at Gathering Days

 

Zoom Class Sessions 0%

Attending live Zoom sessions is not required.  However, you do want to watch the recordings because additional content is provided, and you are accountable for this material on the midterm and final exam.

 

.  You can see a

Topic: Pamela Eisenbaum's Personal Meeting Room
Date: Mar 29, 2020 06:33 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Video Recording:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/_px6JrjS1k1LQdbI9XHTdJwuFNjmaaa81nca_vALnkoYFVsyeZZuSlMg4ziyHDPs

Audio only:

https://zoom.us/rec/play/7sUtc-v6_Gg3HtbDuQSDAfJ_W43pf6Osh3MaqfoNmhnjWncFNVenM7ESYrGmm304WCDM4ZVZnomoAE7i

 

and a recording on What is the New Testament?

I have scheduled three live Zoom meetings this week .  Please see Week 2 Forum for days and times.  You are not required to attend live meetings.  They will be recorded so those who cannot attend can view them later.

Instructor: Pamela Eisenbaum

***Note: The best way to reach me is to message me through Canvas.***

Course Synopsis

This course serves as a broad introduction to the New Testament, its literature, historical context, origins and early development, as well as its importance to the Christian tradition.  It is required for students in the M.Div Program, has no prerequisites, and serves as the foundation for any upper level, more specialized courses you wish to take.

Course Objectives

1. To provide a basic knowledge of the contents of the New Testament and its central interpretive issues.
2. To understand the New Testament as a resource for understanding the origins of Christianity.
3. To help you become critical interpreters of scripture in general and the Gospels and Pauline Epistles in particular.
4. To develop an appreciation for the biblical text and the scholarly resources that can be used to deepen one’s understanding of it.

Required Books:

Stephen Patterson, Beyond the Passion: Rethinking the Life and Death of Jesus (Fortress, 2004). ISBN-13: 978-0800636746

Krister Stendahl, The Final Account: Paul’s Letter to the Romans (Fortress, 1995) ISBN-10: 0800629221

Bart Ehrman, A Brief Introduction to the New Testament ( Fourth Edition; Oxford, 2016) ISBN-13: 978-0190276393 Note: This text may be rented from Amazon or Chegg Books—considerably cheaper than the purchase price.* Note2: This is NOT the most recent edition of Ehrman's book.

Pamela Eisenbaum, Paul Was Not A Christian (HarperOne, 2009/10) ISBN-10: 0061349917 or ISBN-10: 0060722916

Marc Brettler and Amy-Jill Levine (eds.), The Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford, 2011); ISBN-10: 0195297709  Abbreviated JANT.

A Bible in one of the following versions: NRSV (recommend HarperCollins Study Bible, but any NRSV will do); New International Version (Updated 2011); New American Bible (Revised 2011); New American Standard Bible (Updated 1995); Note: Pay attention to the date and edition; older versions are not acceptable, though anything published later than the stated date is fine if it is the same version.

If you prefer electronic versions (e.g. Kindle) of any books, that is fine.

Intro NT 2020 Assignments and Evaluation

Updated 05/11/20

Mini Practice Quiz 0%

            Multiple Choice on Terms

            Multiple choice on scripture I.D.s

Midterm 30%

Multiple Choice on Terms + Multiple choice on Scripture I.D.s = 10%

Short Essays – 20%

Final 40%

            Multiple choice questions based on terms = 10%

            Essay Questions = 30%

Participation 30%

           Post in your group by Thursday at 11:59 each week.

Attendance/Participation at Gathering Days

Zoom Class Sessions 0%

Attending live Zoom sessions is not required.  However, you do want to watch the recordings because additional content is provided, and you are accountable for this material on the midterm and final exam.