NT502 - The Early New Testament Church
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0 Standard Tuition Fee
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4Credit Points
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0.125 EFT
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7AQF level
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new testamentUnit Discipline
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students willA. Know and understand
1. The history, themes, theology and narrative of the Book of Acts.
2. The contents, context, themes and theology of major New Testament Epistles.
3. Selected approaches to Acts and the early New Testament Church.
B. Be able to
1. Discuss:
a. the history, themes, theology and narrative presented in the Book of Acts; and
b. the contents, themes and theology of selected New Testament Epistles.
2. Analyse key developments and emerging patterns in the beginnings and expansion of the early church.
3. Explain the issues confronted by and teaching of selected New Testament Epistles.
4. Evaluate selected approaches to Acts and the early New Testament Church.
C. Be in a position to
1. Integrate perspectives from ‘The Early New Testament Church’ with their other theological studies.
2. Apply perspectives from ‘The Early New Testament Church’ to current issues in Christian life and thought.
Content
Section A
The beginnings and expansion of the church as reflected in the New Testament documents, with special attention to the Acts of the Apostles. Topics to be covered include:
1. The Jerusalem church.
2. Early Christian preaching.
3. Stephen and the Hellenists.
4. The Pauline mission and churches.
5. The Council of Jerusalem.
6. Schism, heresy and external threat in the early church.
Section B
The main issues confronted in and the teaching of at least seven major New Testament epistles.
Note: Both Section A and Section B should be weighted at not less than 25% of the content and assessment.
Set Readings
Fitzmyer, J. A., The Acts of the Apostles (New York: Anchor, Doubleday, 1997).
Hengel, M., Acts and the History of Earliest Christianity (repr; Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2003).
Marshall, I. H. and D. Peterson (eds), Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998).
Schnabel, E. J., Early Christian Mission, Vol 2: Paul and the Early Church (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004).
Winter, B. W. (Gen. Ed.), Book of Acts in its First Century Setting (6 Vols; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993-1996).
Witherington, B., The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio–Rhetorical Commentary (Carlisle: Paternoster, 1998).
Woods, E. J., The ‘Finger of God’ and Pneumatology in Luke–Acts (Sheffield: SAP, 2001).
Classics
Goulder, M., St Peter Verses St Paul: A Tale of Two Missions (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1995).
Hemer, C. J., The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History (ed. By C.H. Gempf; Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1990).
Spencer, F. S., The Portrait of Philip in Acts: A Study of Roles and Relations (Sheffield: JSOT, 1992).