TAYLOR UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Course Syllabus – REL 103: New Testament Literature

Winter Semester 2004

Course Details
Instructor: Ralph J. Korner
Phone/Voice mail: 431-5771
Email: ralph.korner@taylor-edu.ca
Weight/Times 3 credits/semester Tues & Thurs, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Office Hours: By appointment or as posted on office door

Course Description
This course seeks to introduce the content of the books of the NT with a view to providing a basis for further reading
and study. The primary focus will be on the message of each book within its particular historical-cultural setting,
with some attention being given to its contribution to the theology of the NT as a whole. Selected critical issues will
also be discussed.

Learning Objectives
At the successful completion of this course the student should have/be able to:
1) possess a general knowledge of the writings of the New Testament.;
2) be aware of the historical background of each New Testament book;
3) be acquainted with the range of scholarly opinions concerning critical issues in New Testament studies;
4) be able to articulate special contributions of each book of the New Testament.

Required Readings:

Textbooks
Achetemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson. Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature
and Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.

The Bible. (A modern translation is preferable).

Supplementary Texts (in the Reference section of Library)

Davids, P. and R. P. Martin, eds. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. Leicester:
InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Green, J. B., S. McKnight and I. H. Marshall, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Leicester: InterVarsity
Press, 1992.

Hawthorne, G. F. and R. Martin and D. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Leicester: InterVarsity Press,
1993.

Evans, Craig A. and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background. Leicester: InterVarsity Press,
2000.

– 1–
 REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 2

Course Requirements
The assignments and their weights are as follows:
1) Attendance, Preparation, & Participation (3%). The class meets 2 times a week. At Taylor University
College the expectation is that students will attend and participate in all scheduled classes. Absences are
deemed to be exceptions. As per College policy, students are responsible for any and all consequences of
missed classes, including any instructions, handouts, notes, announcements of changes in the syllabus, etc.,
given out or announced in classes for which they are absent.

2) Reading Assignments (12%)

Reading Report Forms are due twice during the semester. The first form is due Feb. 24th (the day of the
mid-term exam). The second form is due April 15th (the day of our last class). You are asked to indicate
how much of the required readings you have completed. Those who complete all the readings required by
the due dates will receive a total of 12% towards their course grade. Those who complete less than the
required amount will be given a pro-rated grade.

(a) Achtemeier, Paul et al, Introducing the New Testament:Its Literature and Theology. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2001. Students are responsible to read the sections in Achtemeier as outlined in the schedule
below. NB: READINGS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE CLASSES FOR WHICH THEY
ARE ASSIGNED.

(b) The New Testament. Read the book or books of the New Testament that will be discussed in class. For
example, for the class period on Mark and Matthew, you should read—BEFORE THAT CLASS—the
gospels of Mark and Matthew.

(c) Supplementary Reading (Reserve List)

Students are expected to read at least 100 pages of relevant material additional to the textbook. Specific
articles from the four volumes of the InterVarsity Press Dictionary Series (see Reference Reading list) will
be assigned. Copies of these articles are at the Library Circulation Desk. They will correspond with class
topics as per the course outline.

3) Quizzes (15%)
There will be several quizzes given to reflect the material in the textbook. These will be announced in
advance and will usually be given on Thursdays. Quizzes will account for 15% of the course grade.
4) Essay/Research Paper (20%).
The research paper shall be 6 to 8 typewritten double-spaced pages on one of the following New Testament
books:
Any one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) or . . .
Galatians, Romans, Ephesians, 1 Peter, James, Hebrews, 1 John, Revelation

The objective of the assignment is to understand the central emphasis of the NT book within the context of
its “occasional” nature. Thus, background questions such as authorship, dating, audience, etc. will receive
attention. Special attention will be given to the literary nature and historical background of the book. This
will include not only its relation to other canonical writings (e.g., NT and/or OT books) but also to its
literary world (e.g., Graeco-Roman and Jewish writings). The paper should give evidence of research
including footnotes and a bibliography of no less than 8 sources. Bibliographic sources shall include books,
commentaries, and at least one refereed journal article. The research paper is due on April 8th, 2004 by
4:30 p.m. LATE PAPERS will NOT be accepted.

NOTE: When handing in your research paper make sure that your title page is stapled to the BACK
and that your name does not appear on any of its other pages.
 REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 3

4) Midterm Examination (20%). The midterm exam will cover all quizzes and lectures and is scheduled for
Tuesday, Feb. 24th, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
5) Final Examination (30%). The final exam will cover all quizzes and only those lectures subsequent to the
Mid-term. The final exam is currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Please consult the
most recent edition of the Taylor University College Final Examination schedule to confirm this date and
time. Please note that instructors are not at liberty to reschedule final examinations. Students who propose
not to take a final examination at the scheduled time must apply for rescheduling to the Academic
Committee before the last day for withdrawal from classes (see Taylor Academic Calendar).

Guidelines for Written Assignments

All written assignments are to be submitted to the professor or at the General Office by 4:30 p.m. of the due date.
No late papers or assignments will be accepted. In addition, no term work can be accepted after the last day of class
(please see the policy on “Incomplete Courses” in the Academic Calendar). Please note that students are required to
retain a copy of all assignments (hard copy or electronic version).

Assignments and papers should be typed and formatted according to the Society of Biblical Literature writing style
as outlined in the College’s Guidelines for Research Writing in Religion & Theology (SBL). Copies of this are
available for purchase in the Taylor Bookstore. For the full stylesheet, please refer to [Patrick H. Alexander, et al.,
ed., The SBL Handbook of Style (Grand Rapids: Hendrickson, 1999)] which is in the reference section of the library.

Evaluation of Papers and Assignments

Students will receive percentage grades on work completed throughout the term. The percentage will only be
converted to the alpha letter grading system at the end of term according to the following descriptors:

Descriptor Alpha 4.0 Scale

Grade
A+ 4.00
Excellent A 4.00
A- 3.70
B+ 3.30
Good B 3.00
B- 2.70
C+ 2.30
Satisfactory C 2.00
C- 1.70
Poor D+ 1.30
Minimal Pass D 1.00
Failure F 0.0

Academic Honesty and Integrity

Academic honesty and integrity is essential to the academic enterprise and the College community. All written work
submitted must be your own. Guidelines for Research Writing defines plagiarism as the failure to give credit where
credit is due: “To plagiarize is to give the impression that you have written something original which in fact you
have borrowed from another without acknowledging that other person's work” (Guidelines for Research Writing,
2002, p. 5). If you borrow ideas or distinctive phrases, or include direct quotations in your written assignments, you
must acknowledge your source(s) properly by in-text citation or footnote. It is also wrong to copy another person’s
work or to submit an assignment previously handed in for credit in another course. Students guilty of plagiarism
 REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 4

will receive a grade of zero for the assignment and will be brought to the attention of the College’s Discipline
Committee. See the discussion in the Guidelines for Research Writing.
REL103 Class Schedule Outline

Week of Jan. 12 Introduction/What is the NT?

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 1-13

Week of Jan 19 The World of the NT/Text and Canon

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 15-51; 589-608
RESERVE: VanderKam & Flint, MDSS 275-92; 321-45.

Week of Jan 26 Intro to the Gospels/Mark

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 53-88, 207-44, 123-147; Gospel of Mark
RESERVE: Evans & Porter, 1221-30, 1289-99

Week of Feb 2 Matthew/Luke and Acts

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 89-122; 149-74; 245-69; Matthew and Luke/Acts
RESERVE: Evans & Porter, 1167-83/Green et al., 651-60

Week of Feb 9 Letters in the NT/Paul and His World

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 271-81, 283-97

Week of Feb 16 READING WEEK—NO CLASSES

Week of Feb 23 MIDTERM EXAM/Romans

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 299-326; Romans
MIDTERM: Tuesday, Feb. 24th
READING REPORT #1—DUE Feb. 24th

Week of March 1 1 Corinthians/2 Corinthians

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 327-54; 1, 2 Corinthians
RESERVE: Evans & Porter, 1276-80

Week of Mar 8 Galatians/Ephesians

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 355-75; 377-89; Galatians/Ephesians

Week of Mar 15 Philippians/Colossians/Philemon

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 391-405; 407-26; Philippians/Colossians/Philemon

Week of Mar 22 1, 2 Thessalonians/The Pastoral Epistles

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 427-46; 447-64; 465-90
RESERVE: Davids & Martin, 841-50, 1077-82
READ: 1-2 Thessalonians/1&2 Timothy/Titus/Hebrews

Week of Mar 29 Hebrews/James

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 491-512; Hebrews/James
RESERVE: Davids & Martin, 814-20, 856-75

Week of April 5 1-2 Peter and Jude/Gospel of John/Epistles of John

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 513-34; 175-205; 535-53
READ: 1-2 Peter/Jude/ Gospel of John/1, 2&3 John
RESEARCH PAPER IS DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 8th BY 4:30 P.M.

Week of April 12 Gospel of John/Epistles of John/Revelation

READ: Achtemeier, et al., 555-87; Book of Revelation
RESERVE: Evans & Porter, 40-45, 1026-30
READING REPORT #2—DUE Thursday, April 15th BY 4:30 P.M.
 REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 5

Week of April 19 Cumulative Final Exam: Tuesday, April 20th (9:00-11:00 a.m.)

Name: ______________________________________________________________

Box No.: ________________________

REL 103 - NEW TESTAMENT LITERATURE

READING REPORT #1 (Jan. 13th — Feb. 24th)

(When recording the number of pages read, either write “All” or write the actual # read, if less than “All”)

Total
NEW # of TEXTBOOK # of RESERVE # of
TESTAMENT Pages READINGS Pages READINGS Pages
READINGS Read Read Read

Matthew 1-13

MDSS
Mark 15-51, 589-608 (Flint &VderKam)

275-92 Qumram
& Judaism
321-45 Jesus and
the DSS

DNTB
Luke 53-88, 207-44, 123-147 (Evans & Porter)

1221-30 Jewish
Theologies & Sects
1289-99 Jewish
Writing and Lit.

DNTB
Acts 89-122, 149-74, 245-69 (Evans & Porter)
1167-83 Jewish
Temple
DJG
(Green et al.)
651-60 Rabbinics

271-81, 283-91

READING REPORT #1 DUE DATE: FEB. 24th, 2004

REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 6
 REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 7

Name: ______________________________________________________________

Box No.: ________________________

REL 103 - NEW TESTAMENT LITERATURE

READING REPORT #2 (Feb. 25th — April 15th)

(When recording the number of pages read, either write “All” or write the actual # read, if less than “All”)

Total
NEW # of TEXTBOOK # of RESERVE # of
TESTAMENT Pages READINGS Pages READINGS Pages
READINGS Read Read Read

DNTB
Romans
1, 2 299-326, 327-54 (Evans & Porter)
Corinthians
1276-80 Women in
Greco-Roman
World & Judaism
Galatians
Ephesians 355-75, 377-89

Philippians
Colossians 391-426
Philemon
1, 2 Thess.
DLNTD
1, 2 Timothy (Davids & Martin)
Titus 427-46, 447-64, 465-90
Hebrews 841-50 OT in
Hebrews
1077-82 Satan, Devil

DLNTD
James 491-512, 513-34 (Davids & Martin)
1, 2 Peter
Jude 814-20 Noncanonical
Writings in General
Epistles
856-75 Parousia

John
DNTB
1, 2, 3 John 175-205, 535-87 (Evans & Porter)
Revelation
40-45 Apocalypses
1026-30 Ruler Cult
 REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 8

READING REPORT #2 DUE DATE: APRIL 15th, 2004

 REL 103: NT Literature Winter 2004 9

Question of the Semester: “Can you identify this document?”

(Give Ralph the correct answer and you get a “prize”)