Prospectus

In this course we shall examine the beliefs and practices of the first Christians as evidenced in the pages of the New Testament. Students will gain a basic understanding of the ideas and issues that concerned the Church in its first hundred years and will learn about the occasion, purpose, and perspective of most of the writings of the New Testament. Some emphasis will be placed upon introducing students to the tools of modern New Testament scholarship.

This course fulfills General Education requirement GE-F in the Christian tradition for the B.A., B.S., and A.A. degrees. It can also be counted toward a major or minor in religion.

Specific objectives for the student
    Define the canon and describe the formation of the New Testament canon
    Describe the geography of the New Testament world and be able to locate the key cities and principal sites of the New Testament
    Understand and appreciate the influences that have shaped present-day understanding of the New Testament
    Identify and describe the methods used in New Testament interpretation
    Identify the principal themes of the individual New Testament books
    Identify the major characters of the New Testament
    Relate the major themes of the New Testament to present day life

Recommended Texts

Supplementary Text
We will be using The New Testament: A Student's Introduction, Fourth Edition, by Stephen L. Harris as a supplement. The background information in The New Testament: A Student's Introduction (Harris) will be assumed in all our class discussions. You will want to have your own copy of this book.

Additional Resources
        Two Internet sites for this class will be especially helpful to you. The first is the home page for this class at the college "Blackboard" where you can find additional helps, hints, and specific assignments posted prior to each class. Be sure to check it out.
        The second Internet site is http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0767420314 the publisher's home page for our textbook. This site has outlines, review quizzes, and other helps.
        The instructor will assign a variety of Web pages as supplementary material to support topics discussed in class. These assignments can be located through the Blackboard.

Grading
        Students will have a mid-semester and a cumulative final examination. There will be additional short tests on an average of one per week. Study guides will be provided in advance of the two major examinations, but the short tests may appear unannounced. Tests consist mostly of multiple choice and short answers, but may also include an essay topic. I will assume that your essays will be written with (reasonably) correct grammar and accurately spelled words. Essay responses will be evaluated primarily on the basis of content but secondarily on grammar, spelling, and syntax.
        Class participation will be considered in the final grade also. This includes your attendance and your contributions to discussions. If you have to miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes from someone else. You are responsible for the information presented in every class. I will be glad to help anyone having difficulties with the material, but I can not hold make-up sessions for classes you miss. Missing more than three unexcused classes will lower your grade.

General Notes
        Lectures will supplement, not summarize, the material in the New Testament and in Harris. The background information presented in Harris will be assumed in all class discussions. Therefore is important that you complete the reading assignments in advance of each class session.
This is a reading course. Be prepared to do large amounts of reading. Of special importance are the readings in the New Testament. I will expect you to bring the Bible and your introductory text to class daily and I will also expect that you will have read the assigned reading for the day beforehand so you can participate in class discussion.

Getting help. Prof. Bowman's office is located in the basement of the administration building on the east (Oakwood) side, room A35. You are welcome to drop in at any time, especially to discuss your understanding of the course material. If you have difficulty locating your instructor, please feel free to phone and arrange an appointment or ask a question.

Feb 2      Introduction to the critical study of the New Testament, definitions, relationship to the Old Testament, languages, unity and diversity, canon and the formation of the canon. Feb 4      Manuscripts, transmission of the New Testament, textual criticism, translations Read Harris: Chapters 1 & 2 Feb 7       The Culture of Greece: culture, religion, philosophies, and politics Read Harris: Chapter 3 Feb 9       The Power of Rome: fall of Hasmonean kingdom, Herod & family, Roman rule and policies, political divisions of Palestine, Jewish/Roman War. Read Harris: Chapter 4 Feb 11       The Faith of Israel: monotheism, Torah, land, temple, diversity, messianic expectations. Contrasts with Hellenism. Read Harris: Chapter 5 Feb 14      Introducing the Gospels, the nature of Gospels: approaches and tools of modern scholars, historical criticism, source criticism, form criticism, redaction criticism, literary criticism, narrative criticism, archaeology. Read Harris, Chapter 6 Feb 16       Mark: The Hidden Messiah and Eschatalogical Judge Read: Gospel of Mark (read this Gospel in one sitting, if possible.) Feb 18       Mark Read Harris, chapter 7 Feb 21       Mark Feb 23       Matthew Read Gospel of Matthew Feb 25       Matthew: The Great Teacher Read Harris, Chapter 8 Feb 28       Matthew Mar 2       Luke: A Savior for "All Nations" Read Gospel of Luke Mar 4       Luke Read Harris, Chapter 9 Mar 7       Luke Mar 9       Discussion Day - No Class Mar 11       John: Divine Wisdom made Flesh Read Gospel of John Mar 14       John Read Harris, Chapter 10 Mar 16       Other Gospels Read Harris, Chapter 11 and assigned Internet readings Mar 18       TEST (Mid-term)		Mar 21       The Acts of Apostles Read Acts, Read at one sitting if possible. Mar 23       The Journeys of Paul Due: Map of Paul's World Read Harris: Chapter 13 Mar 24-Apr 3      Spring Break Apr 4       Paul Read Harris: Chapter 14 Apr 6       Thessalonians Read 1 & 2 Thessalonians & Harris pages 315-318 & 360-361 Apr 8       Corinthians Read 1 & 2 Corinthians & Harris, pages 318-330 Apr 11       Galatians Read Galatians & Harris, pages 332-336 Apr 13       Romans Read Romans & Harris, pages 336-345 Apr 15       Continue Romans Apr 18       Philippians & Philemon Read Philippians, Philemon, and Harris, Chapter 17 Apr 20       Colossians Read Colossians & Harris, pages 361-363 Apr 22       Ephesians Read Ephesians & Harris, pages 363-365 Apr 25       "The Pastorals" Read 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Harris pages 366-368 Apr 27       Other Letters Read 1 Clement, Barnabas, and Harris pages 369-372 Apr 29      Hebrews, James Read Hebrews, James, & Harris, pages 375-383 May 2      2 Peter, Jude 1,2,3 John Read: 1, 2, 3 John, 2 Peter, Jude & Harris, pages 383-392 May 4      Apocalyptic Literature Read Harris, Chapter 20 May 6      Revelation Read The Revelation of John May 9       What Happened Next?            Read Harris, Chapter 21 May 11      Searching for Jesus Read Harris, Chapter 12 May 13       Review May 16       Week of final exams