BibleJourney
The Mission of the People of God to the Nations:
Interpreting Acts & Paul’s Letters
Course Instructor: Dr. Tim Laniak
Contact via Hanna Loftus ()
Course Logistics
Time: Mondays (6:45 P.M.-8:45 P.M.)
January 6, 2014 – March 10, 2014
Breakout Sessions (only for credit-seeking students): 6:15-6:45 or 8:45-9:15
Location: Gordon-Conwell campus, 14542 Choate Circle, Charlotte, NC 28273
Introduction
This course is Part 2 of a 3-part sequence that will journey through the entire New Testament. Participants may register for some or all of the courses; there are no prerequisites. However, it is strongly recommended that students engage in the whole journey through the Old Testament and then continue through the New Testament the following year.
Course Description
Students will explore the history of the early Church as reflected in the book of Acts and the life and writings of the Apostle Paul (Romans through Philemon). Each book will be examined as follows: In the Text (structure of the work, arguments, theology, ethics and Old Testament quotes and allusions); Behind the Text (authorship, date, situation, purpose; geography and archaeology; the historical, social, and cultural context); and In Front of the Text (how the books have been understood and used; how we should use them today).
About BibleJourney and this Course
This course is the fourth in a series of courses making up the BibleJourney Program.
1. The Formation of the People of God from Eden to Canaan: Interpreting the Five Books of Moses
2. The Mission of the People of God in the Promised Land: Interpreting the Historical and Poetic Books
3. The Exile & Return of the People of God: Interpreting the Prophetic Books
4. The Restoration of the People of God: Interpreting the Gospels
5. The Mission of the People of God to the Nations: Interpreting Acts & Paul’s Letters
6. The Sojourn of the People of God among the Nations: Interpreting Hebrews through Revelation
Registration
Registration for courses is required. Please visit www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Bible-Journey-Charlotte.cfm or call Church Relations Coordinator, Dr. Alison Littauer, at 1-704-940-5814, for more information. If you are a member of one of the three host churches, please contact Waverly Hasty at GCTS (800-600-1212) and she will give you the registrar information for your church. Participants will sign up either for audit (those who sit in the class for personal enrichment only) or for credit (those who turn in weekly assignments and may receive credit toward a seminary certificate). Credit students are required to participate in break-out groups for a ½ hour either before or after class each evening. These sessions are led by Gordon-Conwell graduates.
Certification
Credit students who meet all the requirements for the complete 6-course sequence in Old and New Testaments (including two interpretation papers) are eligible to receive a Certificate in Biblical Interpretation. This certificate will exempt those interested in any masters or other certificate program at the seminary from up to three courses (OT Survey, NT Survey, and Biblical Interpretation).
Note: The cost of the 6-course sequence is the cost of one graduate level course. Therefore, students completing the Certificate in Biblical Interpretation will have taken three courses for the price of one.
Course Objectives
1. To provide participants with a comprehensive grasp of the main figures, events, and themes in the New Testament, their relationship to the Old Testament, and their ongoing significance for our lives.
2. To enlighten participants with background information and resources that clarify God’s revelation in its original setting.
3. To equip participants to interpret the Bible correctly by introducing appropriate tools and methods.
Class Format
Classroom sessions will include presentations on each book/letter of the Bible, featuring “in the text” summaries, “behind the text” background, and “in front of the text” interpretation and application. Outlines and notes will be available on the course website (www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Bible-Journey-Charlotte.cfm). Ideally, the assigned readings for each week should be done before class.
Required Textbooks
1. The Bible (preferably a study Bible like the NIV Archaeology Study Bible or the ESV Study Bible)
2. Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament (Baker, 2005)
3. Duvall, J. Scott and J. Daniel Hayes, Grasping God’s Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible, 3d ed. (Zondervan, 2012)
Note: These textbooks will be used throughout the New Testament course sequence.
Recommended Textbooks
1. James C. Martin, John A. Beck, and David G. Hansen, A Visual Guide to Gospel Events: Fascinating Insights into Where They Happened and Why (Baker, 2010)
2. James C. Martin, John A. Beck, and David G. Hansen, A Visual Guide to Bible Events: Fascinating Insights into Where They Happened and Why (Baker Books, 2009)
Course Assignments
Weekly 1-2 page assignments will be expected of those who take the class for credit. Assignments are found on the website (http://www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/Class-Assignments.cfm) and will be submitted to the teaching assistant and discussed during the weeknight sessions. Participants will complete a reading log for the assigned texts. Two quizzes (20 to 25 question multiple choice / true false) will be taken at the middle and end of the course. Plan on at least 5 hours each week for reading and assignments.
Quiz #2 will be taken with a proctor and is due on March 21st. ***Assignment 9 should be included with the final quiz when mailed or emailed to the appropriate Teaching Assistant.
Course Assessment
The course grade will be calculated as follows:
Weekly Assignments (9 @ 5% each) 45%
Reading Log 25%
Quizzes (2 @ 15% each) 30%
100%
Attendance and Missed Classes
Credit students will need to be in attendance all nine (9) weeks. Any credit student who is absent for more than two sessions (including break-out groups) will be moved to audit status. Students are required to contact their TA prior to missing a class when an absence is anticipated. Emergency absences will be dealt with on a case by case basis. In addition, students may download audio recordings of missed classes to maintain their pace with the course assignments.
Discounts and Refunds
Gordon-Conwell has significantly reduced the tuition for these courses to make them affordable to our community. We assume that churches will further subsidize this outreach for their members if hardship exists. Full refunds will be provided only through the second week of the course for any reason.
Course Schedule
January 6:Biblical Topics: / The Book of Acts
Readings for Credit: / Acts 1-28; Encountering the New Testament, 191-250.
Grasping God’s Word, 291-307 (265-280 – 2nd ed.).
Assignment 1: Grasping God’s Word, p. 307 (p.281 – 2nd ed.)
Follow the instructions for Assignment 16-1 (ITT/BTT/IFT)*
January 13:
Biblical Topics: / The Thessalonian Correspondence
Readings for Credit: / 1-2 Thessalonians; Encountering the New Testament, 251-71
Grasping God’s Word, 115-36 (98-116 – 2nd ed.)
Assignment 2 – See following assignment instructions (ITT/IFT)
January 20: Break for Martin Luther King Holiday
January 27:Biblical Topics: / The Corinthian Correspondence
Readings for Credit: / 1-2 Corinthians; Encountering the New Testament, 287-96.
Grasping God’s Word, pp. 251-68 (227-242 – 2nd ed.)
Assignment 3: Grasping God’s Word, p. 268 (p. 243 2nd ed.) - Complete Assignment 14-1, question #3 (1 Corinthians 12-14). (ITT)
February 3:
Biblical Topics: / The Epistle to the Romans
Readings for Credit: / Romans; Encountering the New Testament, 273-85.
Grasping God’s Word, 225-233 (205-211 – 2nd ed.)
Assignment 4: The Role of the Holy Spirit. Complete Assignment 12-2 (Romans 8:1-4) on p. 233 of Grasping God’s Word. (*For those with the 2nd ed., see assignment instructions. (IFT)
February 10:
Biblical Topics: / The Epistle to the Galatians
Readings for Credit: / Galatians; Encountering the New Testament, 296-305.
Assignment 5: See assignment instructions (BTT/IFT)
Quiz #1
February 17:Biblical Topics: / The Epistle to the Ephesians
Readings for Credit: / Ephesians 1-6; Encountering the New Testament, 307-12.
Grasping God’s Word, 163-187 (132-152 – 2nd ed.)
Assignment 6: See assignment instructions (ITT)
February 24:
Biblical Topics: / The Epistle to the Philippians
Readings for Credit: / Philippians 1-4; Encountering the New Testament, 312-16.
Grasping God’s Word, 137-146 (87-96 – 2nd ed.)
Assignment 7: See assignment instructions (IFT)
March 3:
Biblical Topics: / The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon
Readings for Credit: / Col 1-4; Philemon; Encountering the New Testament, 316-25.
Grasping God’s Word, review 115-36 (98-116 – 2nd ed.)
Assignment 8: In Grasping God’s Word, 136 (p. 117-2nd ed.), complete Assignment 6-1. (BTT)
March 10:
Biblical Topics: / The Pastoral Epistles
Readings for Credit: / 1-2 Timothy; Titus; Encountering the New Testament, 334-44.
Assignment 9: Choose a passage from the Pastoral Epistles and complete all 5 steps of the Interpretive Journey (Review Grasping God’s Word, 39-49 (19-27 - 2nd ed.) (ITT/BTT/IFT)
Quiz #2
*Key: ITT: In the Text BTT: Behind the Text IFT: In Front of the Text
Name: Date:
Assignment 2: Due Date: Jan. 27th
Focus: “In the Text” and “In Front of the Text”
Objective: To gain an understanding of the relationship between eschatology and ethics.
A major theme in 1 and 2 Thessalonians is eschatology, the division of theology that deals specifically with “last things,” i.e., the future and beyond.
- Part one of this assignment is to list the passages in both 1 and 2 Thessalonians that focus on the “last days” or future events and then outline or briefly summarize the major points of Paul’s eschatology. Please limit your outline/summary to these two letters.
- Part two of this assignment involves discussing Paul’s purpose in writing about these topics. Was it merely to provide knowledge of the future? Was it to create speculation about “mysterious” future events and leaders? Or was it to help, encourage, and edify the Thessalonians in their present context? Make sure you provide evidence/references from these two letters for your position.
- Write a paragraph on how your own view of the end times differs from what Paul presents in this letter.
** An excellent resource for this assignment:
Hawthorne, Martin, and Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Name: Date:
Assignment 4: Due Date: Jan. Feb. 10th
Focus: “In Front of the Text”
Objective: To practice a method of reading Scripture that encourages spiritual growth, personal communion with and worship of the Lord, and renewal of the soul.
Take Romans 8:1-4 and walk through the lectio divina method of reading a biblical text. Lectio divina involves reading the text “repeatedly, slowly and out loud.” Forget about reading quickly. Slow down and use your imagination to picture yourself as part of the setting. Resist the temptation to analyze or judge the text or use the text to develop a message for someone else. Focus on listening as if God were speaking directly to you. (cf. Grasping God’s Word, 231). You would benefit from reading Romans 7 & 8 a few times before focusing on this paragraph.
Once you have completed your reading (and listening!), write a one to two page reflection of what this experience meant to you.
Name: Date:
Assignment 5: Due Date: Jan. Feb. 17th
Focus: “Behind the Text” and “In Front of the Text”
Objective: To explore the historical/geographical context of the New Testament letters and how these issues can affect interpretation.
One of the debates surrounding Paul’s letter to the Galatians involves Paul’s intended audience. More specifically, did he write to believers in northern Galatia or southern Galatia? In this 2 page assignment, students are to discuss the following issues:
- In one half page, summarize the argument for the North Galatian Theory.
- In one half page, summarize the argument for the South Galatian Theory.
- In one page, describe how each view affects one’s interpretation of Galatians.
Name: Date:
Assignment 6: Due Date: Jan. Feb. 24th
Focus: “In the Text”
Objective: To gain an understanding of how to follow the logical argument or flow of thought of a NT letter.
One of the most important steps in interpreting a biblical passage is to understand how the passage “fits” within its overall literary context. This is especially true in dealing with NT epistles.
In this assignment, students are to outline Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. The outline should include a paragraph by paragraph description of what is in the text and a sentence explaining the transition between each. (e.g. “Because of the truth just stated, the following is true.” Or, “This prayer summarizes what Paul has stated up to this point and now wants everyone to experience,” etc.)
Name: Date:
Assignment 7: Due Date: Jan. March 23rd
Focus: “In Front of the Text”
Objective: To gain an understanding of the kinds of issues/presuppositions that we bring to a text in our reading and study.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians reveals a personal side of Paul’s theology. However, his theology gave meaning to his experiences, rather than vice versa. Many of us unknowingly allow our experiences to shape our theology. Contrary to those who claim to be neutral or “objective” readers or interpreters of Scripture, no one comes to the text of the Bible without certain preconceived notions, influences, emotions, and presuppositions. If, therefore, we are to correctly interpret a text, we need to be aware of these “pre-text” issues.
After reading chp. 7 in Grasping God’s Word (chp. 5 in the 2nd ed.), write an essay on the influences in your life that impact your interpretation of the Bible.
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