New Testament Survey

RLBS 1312 – 03 Spring 2005, 10:00 a.m.

Dr. William Carrell, Office: Walton Chapel; Phone: 4180; Email:

Course Description:

This course introduces the student to the New Testament and to an intelligent and appreciative understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the early Christian movement, and the doctrinal concepts and ethical ideals of Christianity. (UMHB Catalog)

Learning Outcomes:

1.  The student will demonstrate knowledge of the historical and theological relationship of the New Testament to the Old Testament.

2.  The student will demonstrate knowledge of the immediate historical and cultural background of the New Testament.

3.  The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the types and content of the various books of the New Testament.

4.  The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the chronology and content of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

5.  The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the chronology and content of the earliest Christian movement as set forth in the Book of Acts and the subsequent New Testament letters.

6.  The student will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the most important doctrinal concepts and ethical ideals of Christianity.

Textbooks:

Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament.

The Access Bible. **Please bring Bible to class each day.

Attendance Policy:

In accord with the University attendance policy (see Catalog, p. 64 and Student Handbook, p. 111), students are expected to attend class and be on time. All absences must be excused by a doctor or University official to avoid a grade penalty. Students who exceed ten (10) absences, excused or unexcused, will not receive credit for the course.

Evaluation Procedures:

1. New Testament chapter summaries:

Using lined 3” x 5” note cards, students will hand-write a two to three-sentence summary of each chapter of the New Testament. Students will complete one note card per chapter of New Testament text as illustrated below:

2. Reading Quizzes:

The professor will give a quiz each week over the assigned readings. The quiz will be announced ahead of time.

3. Examinations:

Three major examinations (including the final exam) will be given, each one at the conclusion of a major section of the course.

Grading:

1.  New Testament Chapter summary cards: 20%

2.  Reading Quizzes 20%

3.  Examinations including the final: 60% (15% each)

Grading Scale:

91% - 100% A

81% - 90 % B

71% - 80% C

61%-70% D

Below 61% F

**Grades on exams taken late will be automatically reduced 10 Points. Quizzes cannot be made up.

Course Schedule

Dates Topics Elwell

Jan. 12 - 21 / Introduction, Transmission, & Canon of NT / Ch. 1, Ch. 10
Jan. 24 - 31 / Geographical, Political, Social, & Religious Background / Ch. 2, Ch. 13
Feb. 2 / Exam 1 Matthew and Mark note cards due (44)
Feb. 4 - 7 / Sources / Ch. 3, Ch. 11
Feb. 9 - 11 / Gospel of Mark / Ch. 5
Feb. 14 - 16 / Gospel of Matthew / Ch. 4
Feb. 18 - 21 / Gospel of Luke / Ch. 6
Feb. 23 - 25 / Gospel of John / Ch. 7
Feb. 28 – Mar. 4 / Life of Christ / Ch. 8, Ch. 12
Mar. 7 - 9 / Teaching of Christ / Ch. 9
Mar. 11 / Exam 2 Luke through Acts note cards (52)
Mar. 21 - 23 / Acts 1-7 / Ch. 14
Mar. 28 - 30 / Acts 8-12 / Ch. 15
Apr. 1 - 4 / Acts 13-28 / Ch. 16
Apr. 6 / Paul and his letters / Ch. 17
Apr. 8 / Romans / Ch. 18
Apr. 11 - 13 / Corinthians, Galatians / Ch. 19
Apr. 15 / Exam 3 Romans through Titus note cards (85)
Apr. 18 / Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon / Ch. 20
Apr. 20 / Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus / Ch. 21
Apr. 22 / Hebrews / Ch. 22
Apr. 25 / Peter, John, and Jude / Ch. 23
Apr. 27 - 29 / Revelation / Ch. 24
May 2 - 5 / Final Exam Philemon through Revelation note cards (51)

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