Bib102 Introduction to the New Testament
Prof: Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Office: SMEE 202 619-849-2290
Email: thomasphillips@pointloma.edu www.thomasephillips.info
Course Description: Within the context of Christian origins, an overview of the canonical literature of the New Testament with special attention to its literary history and theological themes. (PLNU Catalogue).
Course Objectives:
(1) To learn the content of the major NT writings;
(2) To become acquainted with contemporary study of NT within its historical context; and
(3) To gain an appreciation for the power of the NT message.
Required Texts:
(1) William Willimon & Joel Green, eds., Wesley Study Bible (NRSV)
(2) Alex Varughese, ed. Discovering the New Testament
(3) K. & B. Aland, Synopsis of the Four Gospels.
(4) Thomas Phillips, Paul, His Letters, and Acts (forthcoming).
Course Requirements:
(1) Consistent attendance;
(2) Six hours of study outside of class per week;
(3) Synoptic comparison paper (details below);
(4) Four tests; and
(5) Careful reading of the New Testament (NISB) and the assigned textbooks.
Synoptic Comparison Paper
This paper should examine an account which occurs in at least two of the synoptic gospels and highlight the differences between the various accounts and explain how the differences in the various gospels reflect the different theological concerns of the various writers. This paper should be 600-900 words and is due one week after the first test.
Email papers to plnubib102@yahoo.com and place the assignment in the text of the email message. Do NOT send attachments. Place the letters PLNU and your name in the subject line of the email (e.g., PLNU—Tom Phillips).
Reporting New Testament Reading:
Use the chart which accompanies this syllabus to mark off each chapter of the New Testament and the study notes in the NISB as you read them. Mark off only those chapters which you read between the moment you receive this syllabus and the moment you submit the completed form at the time of the final. Do NOT mark off chapters which you have previously read or chapters which you intend to read in the future. Skimming does not count!
With this honor system of reporting your reading, it is, of course, possible to lie about your reading and to receive credit for work which you did not do. But please remember that integrity is its own reward. Skimming does not count!
Twenty percentage points will be given for reading the entire New Testament and the study notes in the NISB. Partial reading of the New Testament and the study notes in the NISB will receive an appropriate percentage of the twenty points possible. Skimming does not count!
You can find another copy of the NT reading chart on the professor’s web page at www.thomasephillips.info/ntreadingchart.htm
Grading Scale:
100-96 A 95-93 A 92-90 A-
89-87 B+ 86-83 B 82-80 B-
79-77 C+ 76-73 C 72-70 C-
69-67 D 66-63 D 62-60 D-
0-59.9999 F
Note bene:
All work (tests and papers) is graded for spelling, grammar and mastery of the mechanics of language.
Grading Components:
Tests 60% of final grade (15% each)
Synoptic Paper 20% of final grade
Reading the NT 20% of final grade
Late Work Policy:
All work is due at the beginning of class and no late work is accepted.
Professionalism Standards:
All work must be submitted in at least a 12 point font.
Spelling and grammar are always graded.
Proofread your papers very carefully. The professional presentation of all work is essential.
Good News:
A rough outline (ca. 120 pages) of the notes for this class is available in print. To obtain a copy, visit www.religionreaders.com and follow the directions on that website. You are NOT required to purchase a copy of the notes, but purchasing a copy will make note taking much easier. Additionally, you may use your notes on the final exam (IF AND ONLY IF) they have been taken in the reader sold through religion readers and you submit your reader with your final exam.
Communicating with the Professor:
I am on campus everyday (Monday-Friday) and I eat lunch in the Nicholson Commons nearly every Tuesday and Thursday. You are welcome to come by my office, join me at lunch, call me, or email me at anytime. However, please note two matters: (1) I always answer my phone when I am in my office, but I don’t play “phone tag” by returning phone calls. (2) If you need a response from me, please send an email to my PLNU address (thomasphillips@pointloma.edu). I will generally respond during the same or the next working day.
Please Note: I use two email addresses for every class. Please send your email to the appropriate email address in order to get the appropriate response in a timely fashion. Send assignments to plnubib102@yahoo.com (no attachments, please). Send questions, comments and all non-assignments to my PLNU address (thomasphillips@pointloma.edu).
Attendance Policy:
PLNU has an institutional attendance policy which will be enforced in this class. Any student who misses 10% of the semester’s class sessions will be warned that de-enrollment from the course is imminent. (Warnings will be sent only to your PLNU email address; no other warning will be issued.) When the student’s absences reach 20% of the semester’s class sessions, the student will be de-enrolled from the class without appeal. In this class, 3 absences will result in a warning (via email only). Six absences will result in automatic de-enrollment. Be warned: De-enrollment after the last day for dropping a class will result in a failing grade on your university transcript. Work (including tests) missed because of unexcused absences cannot be made up. All tardies and early departures count as an absence. Students who fall asleep or who have an ear phone in their ear will be counted absent.
In cases where extra credit is offered to the class, only those students who have missed 2 classes or fewer during the semester will be allowed to count extra credit points in their grade.
NOTES: Make your travel plans around your class schedule because tests will not be rescheduled to accommodate your travel plans. Also, PLNU policy is to begin recording absences from the first day of class—not from the first day that a student is enrolled in the class. If you register late for the class, you will have already accrued absences for all sessions prior to your enrollment in class.
Mature Behavior Policy:
You are expected to behave as mature Christian professionals at all times in this class. Any student deemed inattentive by the professor (e.g., sleeping, listening to music, surfing the web, text-messaging) will be counted absent for the day. The professor reserves the right to expel any student who is disruptive, inattentive or distracting.
ESL Policy:
If your first language is not English, you may bring a dictionary from your first language to English for use on all tests and assignments. (Your dictionary cannot have any class related notes or writing in it—and do not bring a dictionary with significant hand-written comments in your first language.) You may also request additional time for test-taking. If your first language is either Spanish or German, you may submit your assignments in those languages.
Accommodations Statement for Undergraduate Syllabi
While all students are expected to meet the minimum academic standards for completion of this course as established by the instructor, students with disabilities may require academic accommodations. At Point Loma Nazarene University, students requesting academic accommodations must file documentation with the Disability Resource Center (DRC), located in the Bond Academic Center. Once the student files documentation, the Disability Resource Center will contact the student’s instructors and provide written recommendations for reasonable and appropriate accommodations to meet the individual learning needs of the student. This policy assists the University in its commitment to full compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act of 1990, and ADA Amendments Act of 2008, all of which prohibit discrimination against students with disabilities and guarantees all qualified students equal access to and benefits of PLNU programs and activities.
Inclusive Language Policy:
The School of Theology and Christian Ministry is committed to the equality of women and men. Recognizing that people have often used the English language in ways that imply the exclusion or inferiority of women, the department urges students, faculty and staff to avoid sexist language in public discourse, in classroom discussion, and in their writings.
General Education Program Announcement:
This course is one of the components of the General Education Program at Point Loma Nazarene University, under the category of "Responding to the Sacred." By including this course in a common educational experience for undergraduates, the faculty supports the study of Scripture and Christian heritage as foundational in the pursuit of knowledge and development of personal values.
Emailing Assignments:
Submit all assignments by email. Please email your assignment to plnubib102@yahoo.com with PLNU & your name in the subject line (e.g., “PLNU—Tom Phillips). Do NOT send attachments. Place your assignment in the text of the email message. Do NOT use my PLNU account for assignments. Please email your assignment to plnubib102@yahoo.com with PLNU & your name in the subject line (e.g., “PLNU—Tom Phillips”).
Unit I Reading:
Biblical Text: Matthew, Mark & Luke
Study pages 17-60, 81-151 in Discovering the New Testament.
Unit II Reading:
Biblical Text: John, 1, 2, & 3 John, and Revelation
Study pages 153-68, 325-54 in Discovering the New
Testament.
Unit III Reading:
Biblical Text: Acts, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians,
Ephesians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, 1& 2 Timothy, and Titus
Study pages 1-197 in Paul, His Letters and Acts.
Unit IV Reading:
Biblical Text: James, Hebrews, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude
Study pages 295-324 in Discovering the New Testament.
Very Tentative Test Dates:
Unit I (Synoptic Gospels) Oct. 1
Unit II (John) Oct. 27
Unit III (Acts & Paul) Nov. 27
Final Exam Finals Week
* Note: Exam dates are subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class.
“Study yourself half to death and pray yourself to whole life.”
--Adam Clarke
8/23/9