TRS5502 - Reading the New Testament

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the content and nature of the New Testament and its origins in the early church and in Ancient Western Asia
Identify and use various tools of biblical criticism to study and analyse selected books or passages
Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of the origins, content and theology of at least one gospel and at least one other New Testament book
Identify theological intent and themes in New Testament writers and elaborate on some of these, including tracing their Old Testament origins
Compare and contrast selected scholarly interpretations of selected the New Testament passages

Content:

A critical study of the New Testament using both biblical studies and theological approaches. Through the lens of the biblical writings, this module gives a window into the first few generations of Christianity and provides knowledge and understanding of key sources of theological study.

The module is rooted in weekly study of biblical texts and supported by critical engagement with them. Through close attention to the work of selected New Testament authors, major theological themes will be introduced.

The following topics will be included:
• Overview of the New Testament writings, their origins in the early church and their unity and diversity
• New Testament background in Roman Palestine and Ancient Western Asia • Scholarly approaches to the study of the New Testament (e.g. historical criticism, narrative criticism, socio-political criticism)
• The person and work of Jesus Christ in a selected gospel
• The nature and faith of the New Testament church(es), their history and spread, with reference to at least one non-gospel writing
• The relationship of the early Christians with the Jewish community and the use of Old Testament in the New
• Selected theological themes in the New Testament, such as reconciliation, the resurrection of the dead, the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit, messianic expectation, discipleship, sacrifice, mission

Other topics may be included, for example:
• History of the inter-Testamental period and the impact on New Testament studies of the recent discoveries of texts
• Contemporary readings, e.g. post-colonial, liberation, feminist

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning and teaching takes place in plenary sessions and using blended learning. It may also include group activities and also opportunities for individual help through face-to-face meeting or online means. Scheduled learning activities are varied and include include: lecture-style presentations by the module tutor or occasional guest speaker; seminar-style discussion of a particular topic; informal prepared presentations by students, followed by discussion; debates; and other exercises as appropriate to material and group. Students receive guidance on reading in preparation for each session and activity and learning is supported by the VLE (Moodle) and sometimes by readers and other resources. Guidance on research and essay-writing is integral to the learning and teaching process in each module and may also be supported by tutorial guidance on essay plans if requested.

Lecture
Contact hours: 20
Intended Group size: 20

Seminar, group work, tutorial, etc.
Contact hours: 20
Intended Group size: 3-20

Guided independent study
Hours 160

Assessment: