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RLG 241Y, Early Christian Writings: The New Testament
University of Toronto at Mississauga, 2004–2005
Instructor: Dr. Scott G. Brown / Lectures: Tues. 4:10–6:00Office telephone: 905-828-3764 / Classroom: NE 287
Home telephone: 705-733-0601 (evenings only) / Office: NE 117
E-mail: / Office Hour: Tues. 6:00–7:00
NATURE OF THE COURSE
RLG 241Y is an introduction to the academic study of the New Testament. In keeping with the trend in biblical scholarship over the past two centuries, we will study the Christian scriptures using the same tools of historical and literary investigation that are employed elsewhere in the humanities. The goal of this strictly academic enterprise is to enhance our understanding of these religious writings by exploring the tangible/human factors involved in shaping them; in particular, we will focus on the authors and original recipients of these works; the historical circumstances that prompted the authors to write; and the broader social, cultural, political, and literary milieux in which these written interactions took place.
Since we will be treating the New Testament as a window onto the history of earliest Christianity, the amount of attention we devote to any one book will depend largely on the amount of relevant historical information it contains. It is unlikely that we will cover more than twenty-three of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2004.
The Bible. Please use a standard translation, specifically, either the Revised Standard Version (RSV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Jerusalem Bible (JB), or New International Version (NIV). Thou shalt not use the King James Bible (or NKJV).
On occasion, readings available on the Internet may be assigned when relevant.
COURSE WEBPAGE
My comments, instructions, and handouts relating to the lectures will appear on the course webpage. Please check it before each lecture:
TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Tests: There will be three two-hour tests. These tests cover the lectures and assigned readings. For the second and third tests, you will not need to study materials that have already been tested. Most likely, these tests will consist of short-answer and multiple-choice questions, and you will have some choice for the short-answer questions. One format that I might use is seven ten-mark questions (from a choice of ten) and ten one-mark multiple-choice questions.
Essays: Participants must write two essays. A list of topics will be distributed later. Length: 8–10 pages.
First Test (November 2)20%
First Essay (November 23)20%
Second Test (January 25)20%
Second Essay (March 8)20%
Third Test (April 5)20%
PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF WORK
There is no provision for students to rewrite test questions or assignments in order to improve a grade. Consequently, students who are unsure about how to produce a particular kind of paper should take advantage of the instructor’s office hours, various online writing resources, and the writing labs offered by the university before doing the work. Participants are encouraged to bring in a point-form outline of their essay well in advance of completion. The regulations concerning missed tests and the regrading of tests and papers are contained in the Academic Handbook:
All essays must be submitted to the instructor directly, either in person or electronically as e-mail attachments in MS Word format. Do not leave papers in the drop box or under my office door. Note that I live 120 km from UTM and am only on campus on Tuesdays between 3:30 and 7:00.
The penalty for late papers is 1% per weekday (5% per week). Extensions must be arranged at least a week in advance of the due date. The last day I will accept late papers is 14 days after the original deadline.
ADDING OR DROPPING THIS COURSE
The final date to add this course is September 22, and the final date to drop this course is February 13. If you drop a course it is necessary to do this officially by using the Student Telephone System (STS) or the Student Web Service (SWS). According to the Academic Handbook, “Merely ceasing to attend classes is not in itself the act of dropping.”
LECTURE TOPICS AND ASSIGNED READINGS
09/14/2004Introduction to the academic study of the New Testament
Assigned reading:
- Ehrman, chaps. 1, 29
09/21Christianity’s Jewish heritage
- Ehrman, chap. 2
09/28Oral tradition and the written sources behind the gospels
- Ehrman, chaps. 3, 4, 6
10/05The Gospel of Mark, Part I
- Mark 1:1–8:21; Ehrman, chap. 5
10/12The Gospel of Mark, Part II
- Mark 8:22–16:8
10/19The Gospel of Matthew, Part I
- Matthew 1–16; Ehrman, chap. 7
10/26The Gospel of Matthew, Part II
- Matthew 17–28
11/02First Test
11/09The Gospel of Luke
- Luke; Ehrman, chap. 8
11/16Acts
- Acts; Ehrman, chap. 9
11/23The historical Jesus
- Ehrman, chaps. 13, 14, 15
- First Essay Due
11/30From Jesus to Paul
- Ehrman, chaps. 16 and 17
12/07The historical Paul
- Ehrman, chap. 18
Second Term
01/04/20041 Thessalonians and Galatians
- Ehrman, chap. 19 and pp. 331–39 (on Galatians)
01/111 and 2 Corinthians, Philippians, and Philemon
- 1 and 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon; Ehrman, pp. 316–31, 340–47
01/18Romans,Part I
- Romans 1–8; Ehrman, chap. 21
01/25Second Test
02/01Romans, Part II
- Romans 9–16; Ehrman, chap. 22
02/08The Disputed Letters of Paul
- 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, and Ephesians; Ehrman, pp. 372–85
02/15Reading Week
02/22The Pastorals
- 1, 2 Timothy, Titus; Ehrman, pp. 385–94, and chap. 24
03/011 Peter and James
- 1 Peter, James; Ehrman, chap. 26 and pp. 445–50
03/08The Gospel of John, Part I
- John 1–10; Ehrman, chap. 10
- Second Essay Due
03/15The Gospel of John, Part II
- John 11–21; Ehrman, chap. 12
03/22The Letters of John
- 1, 2, 3 John; Ehrman, chap. 11
03/29Revelation
- Revelation; Ehrman, chap 28
04/05Third Test