Interpreting the New Testament

Upon successful completion of the unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

Undergraduate

1. Describe the contents of the New Testament: the types of literature, their particular interpretive demands, their place in the development of the canon, their theological outlook;
2. Describe relevant aspects of the historical and social world of the New Testament era;
3. Select and use appropriate interpretive approaches to the New Testament in the writing of an exegetical essay;
4. Access and use the tools of New Testament interpretation: lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, primary sources, on-line resources, and others; and
5. Make progress in making the transition from text to life, particularly in terms of theological reflection; and
6. Level 2: Articulate the relationship of the New Testament to the texts and message of the Old Testament and its traditions.

Postgraduate

1. Describe the contents of the New Testament: the types of literature, their particular interpretive demands, their place in the development of the canon, their theological outlook;
2. Describe and analyse relevant aspects of the historical and social world of the New Testament era;
3. Select and use appropriate interpretive approaches to the New Testament in the writing of an exegetical essay;
4. Access and use the tools of New Testament interpretation: lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, primary sources, on-line resources, and others;
5. Articulate the relationship of the New Testament to the texts, message and diverse traditions of the Old Testament;
6. Make progress in making the transition from text to life, particularly in terms of theological, hermeneutical, and homiletical application; and
7. Express understanding of the history of research in New Testament studies, and the ability to access and make critical use of library and digital resources in this area.

Undergraduate

Level 1 Classroom

• Two 1,000 word workshop papers (50%)
• One 2,000 word exegetical essay (50%)

Level 1 Online

• Online tutorial participation (at least 5 entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to weekly exegetical workshops and peer interaction (20%)
• One 1,000 word workshop paper (40%)
• One 2,000 word exegetical essay (40%)

Level 2 Classroom

• Two 1,000 word workshop papers (50%)
• One 2,500 word exegetical essay (50%)

Level 2 Online

• Online tutorial participation (at least 5 entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to weekly exegetical workshops and peer interaction (20%)
• One 1,000 word workshop paper (40%)
• One 2,500 word exegetical essay (40%)

Postgraduate

Classroom

• Three 1,000-word workshop papers (60%)
• One 4,000-word exegetical essay (40%)

Online

• Online tutorial participation (at least 5 entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to weekly exegetical workshops and peer interaction (20%)
• Two 1,000-word workshop papers (40%)
• One 4,000-word exegetical essay (40%)

• Achtemeier, P. C., J. B. Green and M. Meye Thompson, eds. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2001.
• Elwell, W. and R. Yarbrough, eds. Encountering the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
• ––––. Readings from the First-Century World: Primary Sources for New Testament Study. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.
• Fee, G. D. and D. K. Stuart. How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
• Gorman, M. J. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2009.
• Green, J. B., ed. Hearing the New Testament. Strategies for Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI/Carlyle, UK: Eerdmans/Paternoster, 1995.
• Green, Joel B. and Lee Martin McDonald, eds. The World of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.
• Hayes, J. H. and C. R. Holladay. Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook. Atlanta: John Knox, 2007.
• Johnson, L. The Writings of the New Testament. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999.
• Via, D. O., ed. Guides to Biblical Scholarship. (Series of booklets on exegetical methods), Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971–2002.

Set texts recommended for purchase: Nil