| Dr. Darrell Pursiful | KNT 304 |
| 757-0564 x250 (office) | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15-1:30 pm |
| djpursiful [at] gmail [dot] com | http://pursiful.com/classroom/ |
CHR 150 is a course designed to explore the literature of the New Testament with emphasis on the history, literature, and faith associated with the beginnings of the Christian Era.
COURSE AIMS: CHR 150 aims to provide the student an opportunity to become familiar with the texts of the New Testament in the context of the history and faith of the first Christians. Students successfully completing CHR 150 should demonstrate the following competencies:
- An understanding of the various writings of the New Testament in terms of their respective literary genres, historical contexts, and theological themes.
- Familiarity with biblical scholarship dealing with the literary and historical study of the New Testament.
- An understanding of the development of the text and canon of the New Testament.
- An understanding of the origins and development of Christianity within the context of the first-century world as reflected in the New Testament.
- An understanding of the major events in the life of Jesus and their significance as reflected in the New Testament.
- An understanding of the teachings of and about Jesus found in the New Testament.
- An appreciation for the role of the New Testament in the development of Christian faith and its impact on western civilization.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, 3rd ed. (NRSV), college ed. (Oxford University Press, 2001).
Mercer Dictionary of the Bible, ed. Watson E. Mills, et al. (Mercer University Press, 1990).
GRADING CRITERIA: Course grades will be assessed based on the following assignments:
Quizzes (100 points). At least thirteen daily quizzes (10 points each) will be given during the semester. They will not be announced in advance, and no makeup quizzes will be administered for any reason. Daily quizzes will be drawn from the assigned readings for the day and/or the previous day’s lecture and discussion. The student’s ten highest scores will be computed in the final grade.
Fishbowl (150 points). Students who do not choose to write the optional paper (see below) will participate in one of three fishbowl sessions. The purpose of the fishbowl is to engage in an intelligent, productive conversation about a given theme in New Testament interpretation, which the rest of the class can “overhear.” This will require participants to read the assigned biblical text as well as all assigned MDOB articles. The “see also” sections at the end of each listed article may also prove helpful. The “stellar” participant will demonstrate a grasp of the text in its overall context, with an eye toward understanding what the text would have meant to first-century Christians as well as its continuing relevance for today. For purposes of the fishbowl, it is more important to understand the questions than to have arrived at conclusive answers. Interested students are encouraged to seek the help of the professor in guiding their preparation.
Optional Paper (150 points). Students may choose to write a “characterization” paper instead of participating in a fishbowl. This paper should be a character study based on either a figure in the Gospels or Acts (such as Mary Magdalene or Stephen) or a biblical author (such as Paul or Luke). If you choose this option, you must inform the professor of your intention no later than the end of class on September 2. Papers are due on November 18 (the date of the final fishbowl exercise). Topics are to be negotiated with the professor in person or via email on or before October 5. Papers should be three to five pages long (single spaced, double space between paragraphs) and employ at least three additional sources besides MDOB.
Exams (2 x 200 points). Two exams will be administered on the dates listed in the course schedule. The professor is under no obligation to arrange a make-up exam for any student who misses a scheduled exam, although a make-up exam (a type and format decided by the professor) may be possible in cases of dire family emergency or other catastrophic events. Exams will be drawn from readings, lectures, and fishbowl discussions and will consist of a variety of objective, short answer, and essay type questions. Essays are to be written on paper provided by the student.
Final Exam (350 points). The Final Exam will be a comprehensive exam in the same general format of the two periodic exams. It will be administered on Friday, December 17 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, as scheduled by the Registrar. There will be no provision for a make-up exam.
The final grade will be computed by simple addition of all accumulated course grades:
(Quizzes grade, 100 points possible)
+ (Fishbowl grade OR research paper grade, 150 points possible)
+ (Exam 1 grade, 200 points possible)
+ (Exam 2 grade, 200 points possible)
+ (Final exam grade, 350 points possible)
= Final course grade, 1000 points possible
The grading scale for this course is:
| A | 910-1000 |
| B+ | 860-909 |
| B | 810-859 |
| C+ | 760-809 |
| C | 710-759 |
| D | 660-709 |
| F | 0-659 |
Any student who receives failing grades during the course is urged to arrange to meet with the professor to discuss such work.
CONDUCT: The College’s academic misconduct policy (Honor Code) will be followed.
ATTENDANCE: Each student is required and expected to be present for each scheduled class session. Since class lectures and discussions are the foundation for quizzes and examinations, attendance is crucial. Students absent from 25% or more of the scheduled class sessions will not receive credit for the course.
CLASS POLICY ON CELL PHONES AND PAGERS: Out of courtesy for all those participating in the learning experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before entering the classroom. Students who have legitimate reasons to have phones or pagers activated during class should set them to silent or vibrate settings. If a necessary call or page is received, students should quietly exit the class and not return for the remainder of the class period.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT: Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. The instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services Coordinator to document your disability, determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504 and to request a Faculty Accommodation Form. Disability accommodations or status will not be indicated on academic transcripts. In order to receive accommodations in a class, students with sensory, learning, psychological, physical or medical disabilities must provide their instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form to sign. Students must return the signed form to the Disability Services Coordinator. A new form must be requested each semester. Students with a history of a disability, perceived as having a disability or with a current disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are also strongly encouraged to register with the Disability Services Coordinator and request a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information, please contact Carole Burrowbridge, Disability Services Coordinator, at 301-2778 or visit the Disability Support Services website at http://www.mercer.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityservices.
SCHEDULE OF READINGS, ASSIGNMENTS, AND EXAMS: Each class session will have a particular focus. In preparation for lectures and discussions students should read the assigned biblical texts and articles from the MDOB. Optional MDOB articles are noted in [brackets].
Aug 24 A Bird’s-Eye View of the New Testament
Aug 26 The Historical Context of the New Testament
Primary Sources: Galatians 4:4-5; 1 Maccabees 1–2; Pirqe Aboth 1
MDOB: Maccabees; Messiah/Messianism; Pharisees; Sadducees; Synagogue
[Last Day for Late Registration and Drop/Add is Aug 27]
Aug 31 The Quests for the Historical Jesus
Primary Sources: n/a
MDOB: Jesus; Gospels, Critical Study of; Form/Gattung
Sep 2 The Prehistory of the Gospels
Primary Sources: Luke 1:1-14; John 20:30-31; 21:24-25
MDOB: Genre, Gospel; Gospel; Agrapha; Literary Criticism; Synoptic Problem; Q; Redaction
Sep 7 The Synoptic Gospels
Primary Sources: Mark 2:1-3:6; Matthew 5-7; Luke 4:16-44
MDOB: Gospel; Matthew, Gospel of; Mark, Gospel of; Luke, Gospel of
Sep 9 Hebraic Christianity: James and Jude
Primary Sources: Gal 2:1-14; James, Jude
MDOB: General Epistles; James; James, Letter of; Wealth; Poor; Jude, Letter of; Justification [Wisdom Literature; Abraham]
Sep 14 Hebraic Christianity: Matthew
Primary Sources: Matthew 1–8; 10; 13; 15
MDOB: Abraham; David; John the Baptist; Lord’s Prayer, The; Matthew; Matthew, Gospel of; Sermon on the Mount; Temptation of Jesus;
Sep 16 Hebraic Christianity: Matthew
Primary Sources: Matthew 16–18; 21; 23–28
MDOB: Binding and Loosing; Didache; Law in the New Testament; Messiah/Messianism; Righteousness in the New Testament
Sep 21 Fishbowl 1: Christians and Jews
Primary Sources: Matthew 8:1-13; 10:5-15; 15:1-29; 28:16-20; John 9:1-34
MDOB: Circumcision; Church and Law; Gentile/Gentiles in the New Testament; Noachic Laws; Table Fellowship
Sep 23 Petrine Christianity: 1–2 Peter
Primary Sources: 1–2 Peter
MDOB: Peter; Peter, Letters of; Persecution in the New Testament [Descent into Hell; Judgment, Day of]
Sep 28 Petrine Christianity: Mark
Primary Sources: Mark 1–8
MDOB: Demon in the New Testament; Disciple/Discipleship; Mark; Mark, Gospel of; Messiah/Christ; Son of God; Son of Man [Satan in the New Testament]
Sep 30 Petrine Christianity: Mark
Primary Sources: Mark 9–16
MDOB: Abomination of Desolation; Eschatology in the New Testament; Gethsemane; Kingdom of God; Mark, Long Ending of; Passion, The; Passion Narrative
Oct 5 Fishbowl 2: Leadership in the Church
Primary Sources: Matthew 16:13-20; John 21:15-23; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; James 3:1-5; 1 Peter 5:1-5
MDOB: Apostle/Apostleship; Bishop; Deacon; Elder
Oct 7 EXAM 1
Oct 12 Hellenistic-Jewish Christianity: Luke
Primary Sources: Luke 2–7; 9–12; 14
MDOB: Banquet; Holy Spirit; Luke; Luke, Gospel of; Magnificat; Neighbor; Samaritans; Transfiguration; Virgin Birth [Genealogy in the New Testament; Poor]
Oct 14 FALL BREAK
Oct 19 Hellenistic-Jewish Christianity: Luke
Primary Sources: Luke 15–19; 21–24
MDOB: Ascension of Christ; Crucifixion; Parables; Publicans; Resurrection in the New Testament; Seven Words from the Cross; Travel Narrative; Women in the New Testament [Paradise]
Oct 21 Hellenistic-Jewish Christianity: Acts
Primary Sources: Acts 1–10; 12
MDOB: Apostles, Acts of the; Barnabas; Holy Spirit; Philip; Seven, The; Simon Magus; Stephen; Theophilus; Tongues [James; Peter]
Oct 26 Hellenistic-Jewish Christianity: Acts
Primary Sources: Acts 13–16; 18–19; 21–22; 24–25; 27–28
MDOB: Antioch; Christian; Jerusalem Council; We-Sections [Paul]
Oct 28 Hellenistic-Jewish Christianity: Hebrews
Primary Sources: Hebrews 1; 4–7; 9–13
MDOB: Apostasy; Hebrews, Letter to the; Hope in the New Testament; New Testament Use of the Old Testament; Suffering in the New Testament [Atonement, Day of; Rest; Melchizedek]
[Last Day for Course Withdrawal is Oct 29]
Nov 2 EXAM 2
Nov 4 Pauline Christianity: Paul the Missionary and Letter-writer
Primary Sources: 1 Corinthians 1–4; 7; 11–16
MDOB: Paul; Corinthian Correspondence; Opponents of Paul [Food Offered to Idols; Thessalonians, Letters to the; Philippians, Letter to the]
Nov 9 Pauline Christianity: Paul the Apologist
Primary Sources: Galatians
MDOB: Apostle/Apostleship; Galatians, Letter to the; Faith; Grace; Law in the New Testament; Abraham; Hagar; Justification; Circumcision
Nov 11 Pauline Christianity: Paul the Theologian
Primary Sources: Romans 1–11
MDOB: Grace; Flesh and Spirit; Justification; Romans; Letter to the; Redemption in the New Testament; Body in the New Testament [Salvation in the New Testament]
Nov 16 Pauline Christianity: Pauline Trajectories
Primary Sources: Acts 20; Ephesians; 1 Timothy
MDOB: Gnosticism; Prison Epistles; Ephesians, Letter to The; Pastoral Epistles; Timothy; Titus; [Colossians, Letter to the; Philemon, Letter to]
Nov 18 Fishbowl 3: Worship in the Church
Primary Sources: 1 Corinthians 11–14
MDOB: Gifts of the Spirit; Worship in the New Testament; Lord’s Supper; Sacraments
Nov 23 Johannine Christianity: Revelation
Primary Sources: Rev 1–6; 10–13; 19–21
MDOB: Apocalyptic Literature; Revelation, Book of; Jude, Letter of; Parousia/Second Coming; Millennium; Eschatology in the New Testament [Patmos]
Nov 25 THANKSGIVING
Nov 30 Johannine Christianity: The Gospel
Primary Sources: John 1–11
MDOB: Incarnation; John the Apostle; John, Gospel and Letters of; Lamb of God; Logos/Word; New Birth; Signs and Wonders; Sychar; Woman Taken in Adultery
Dec 2 Johannine Christianity: The Gospel
Primary Sources: John 12–21
MDOB: Advocate/Paraclete; Beloved Disciple, The; Caiaphas; Dualism; Light/Darkness in the New Testament [Christology]
Dec 7 Johannine Christianity: The Letters
Primary Sources: 1–3 John
MDOB: Love in the New Testament; Elder; Antichrist
Dec 9 The Formation of the Christian Canon
Primary Sources: 2 Peter 3:14-16
MDOB: Bible; Bible, Authority of; Canon; Marcion; Muratorian Canon; Scripture in the New Testament
Dec 17 FINAL EXAM 2:00-5:00 pm
