The Early New Testament Church
NT302/NT502
This is one of two foundational units that form the basis for all further study of the NT. Half of the semester involves a detailed study of the book of Acts, both in terms of the history and theology of the earliest Christians, as a narrative in itself, and as instruction for today’s church. In the other half you will learn how to better read and interpret and apply a number of the NT epistles. This will prepare you for future NT studies, as well as develop your personal growth and ministry.
Workload: one semester, 4 credit points, 36 contact hours (entailing approximately 72 non-contact hours)
Status: core
Prerequisites: none
When: Semester 2, yearly; also available by distance
Who: Anthea McCall, Andrew Malone
Syllabus
Key points are formally enumerated for Acts. We are also to survey (at least) seven major NT epistles:
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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 |
1. 1 & 2 Corinthians 2. Romans 3. Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians (prison epistles) 4. 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus (pastoral epistles) 5. Hebrews 6. 1 & 2 Peter, Jude 7. Revelation |
Assessment
NT302 (BTh/BMin) assessment:
(1) a 2,000-word essay, due week 5
(2) an 80-minute examination in November, attempting two questions
NT502 (MDiv/GradDipDiv) assessment
(1) a 2,000-word essay, due week 5
(2) a 120-minute examination in November, attempting three questions
Recommended Reading
Two PDF documents are available as you consider what to purchase and read:
