Birmingham Theological Seminary
Dothan Campus
4390 Westgate Parkway, Dothan, AL 36303
334-794-9464
Spring 2017 Office Phone: 334-794-9464
NT 2525 New Testament Theology Cell Phone: 334-333-7359
Professor: Dr. W. Charles Lewis Fax: 334-702-9464
Class Hours: 2 E-mail:
COURSE PURPOSE
The purpose of this course is to survey the theology of the New Testament as conveyed through the distinctive contributions of the individual authors. Emphasis is placed on the key themes and texts within each book and how they contribute to the overall make up of New Testament theology. A comparison of Old Testament and New Testament revelation will be made.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. The student will understand the theology of the New Testament as part of the progressive revelation of Redemptive history.
2. The student will understand the major theological themes of the New Testament with the aim of being equipped to communicate those truths to others.
3. The student will be able to articulate a personal perspective on New Testament theology.
4. The student will be able to apply New Testament theology in his/her ministry.
COURSE TEXTS
Required Texts:
Ladd, George Eldon A Theology of the New Testament. Rev. ed. By Donald A. Hagner. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. ISBN: 0802806805
Schreiner, Thomas R New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008. ISBN: 0801026806
Collateral Text
Marshall, I. Howard New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2004. ISBN: 083082538X
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Class attendance and participation. More than two unexcused absences drops final grade one letter grade.
2. Written Assignments
Write a 7-page survey of the theological themes that are presented in Ladd’s A Theology of the New Testament. Certificate students are to write a four-page survey. Due March 9. 10%
Identify the New Testament texts that Schreiner emphasizes for each of the New Testament books that he addresses in his New Testament Theology. Why does he give emphasis to these texts? 7 pages; 4 pages for certificate students. Due April 13. 10%
Compare the theological themes that Marshall addresses in his book with those that are addressed by Ladd and Schreiner. What is inclusive? Are there themes that are exclusive to Marshall? If so, identify. 4 pages; 2 pages for certificate students. Due May 4. 5%
3. Oral Presentation
More than once, Luke records Jesus as saying “and he was a Samaritan”. Explain what it is that Jesus is communicating through the use of this phrase? What is He implying? Provide examples of what might be some present-day applications of this phrase in the American context? What was the message for Jesus’ original audience? Due February 16. 10%
4. Oral Defense
Read 1 John carefully and answer the following questions: Why did John write this letter? On what passage(s) do you base your answer? Identify the themes that John develops in this letter in support of His purpose in writing. Be prepared to entertain questions from your classmates. Argue your case for which you believe is John’s purpose in writing. Due April 20. 15%
COURSE GRADING
Class Attendance and Participation 10%
Written Assignments 25%
Oral Presentation 10%
Oral Defense 15%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
COURSE FORMATS & STYLE STANDARDS
All papers must be formatted in accordance with Turabian-Chicago standards including title page. Any paper not conforming to these standards will automatically be dropped one letter grade. Proper planning and timely completion of assignments are crucial. All course materials must be submitted by the last day of class. Therefore, course materials may be submitted for up to six weeks after the end of the semester directly to the office of the Registrar with the permission of the professor. If a student submits course materials after the end of the semester but within the six-weeks grace period, the student’s grade will be lowered by one letter grade. The course materials will not be accepted after the six-week grace period and a failing grade will be posted to the student’s transcript.
COURSE OUTLINE
Please read the Scripture books and letters prior to their scheduled discussion in class.
1/26 Introduction. New Testament Theology and the Narrative Genre
2/2 Matthew, Mark, John: Thematic Developments
2/9 Luke, Acts: Thematic Developments
2/16 New Testament Theology and the Expositional Genre
2/23 Romans: The Development of Theology; Midterm Exam
3/2 SPRING BREAK
3/9 1 & 2 Corinthians: The Implications of Theology (Ladd Assignment Due)
3/16 Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians
3/23 Ephesians: The Application of Theology
3/30 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
4/6 Hebrews: The Old Testament in the New Testament; The New Testament in the Old Testament
4/13 James, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude (Schreiner Assignment Due)
4/20 1, 2, 3 John, Jude
4/27 New Testament Theology and the Apocalyptic Genre; Revelation
5/4 Conclusions, Final Exam (Marshall Assignment Due)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bultmann, Rudolf. Theology of the New Testament. Translated by Kendrick Grobel.
2 vols. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2007 [1948–1953].
Caird, G. B., with L. D. Hurst. New Testament Theology. Oxford: Oxford University
Press, 1994.
Esler, Philip F. New Testament Theology: Communion and Community. Minne-
apolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2005.
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 1981.
Helyer, Larry R. The Witness of Jesus, Paul, and John: An Exploration in Biblical
Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008.
Jeremias, Joachim. New Testament Theology: The Proclamation of Jesus. New
York: Scribner, 1971.
Kümmel, Werner Georg. The Theology of the New Testament According to Its
Major Witnesses: Jesus-Paul-John. Translated by John E. Steely. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1973 [1969].
Ladd, George Eldon, and Donald A. Hagner. A Theology of the New Testament.
2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Marshall, I. Howard. A Concise New Testament Theology. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 2008.
------. New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel. Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Matera, Frank J. New Testament Theology: Exploring Unity and Diversity. Louisville:
Westminster John Knox, 2007.
Mead, James K. Biblical Theology: Issues, Methods, and Themes. Louisville: West-
minster John Knox, 2007.
Morris, Leon. New Testament Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1986.
Schreiner, Thomas. Magnifying God in Christ: A Summary of New Testament
Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010. An abbreviated version of
Schreiner’s 2008 work.
------. New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic, 2008.
Scott, Julius J. New Testament Theology: A New Study of the Thematic Structure
of the New Testament. Fearn: Mento, 2008.
Thielman, Frank. Theology of the New Testament: A Canonical and Synthetic
Approach. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
Via, Dan O. What Is New Testament Theology? GBS. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002.