Bib102 Introduction to the New Testament
Prof: Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Office: Rohr 115
Phone: 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 critical study of NT within its historical
context; and
(3) To gain an appreciation for the power of the NT message.
Required Texts:
(1) W. Harrelson, ed., New Interpreter’s Study Bible (NRSV)
(2) K. & B. Aland, Synopsis of the Four Gospels
(3) Pregeant, Engaging the New Testament
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:
The Powerpoint presentations for this class are available online. You may visit the professor’s web site and download copies of the entire semester’s class notes. These notes are provided in order to save you the effort of furiously writing for an hour. However, these notes provide only an outline of the class presentations and discussions. The student should be aware that downloading the notes is no substitute for active engagement with the material presented in class. Without attentive class participation, the notes will make little sense and will leave the student overwhelmed. The notes are found at: www.thomasephillips.info.
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, 4 absences will result in a warning (via email only). Eight 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.
COMPUTER POLICY:
Students are not allowed to use computers or digital devices in class.
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.
Learning Disability Assistance:
All students are expected to meet the standards for this course as set by the instructor. However, students with learning disabilities who have submitted appropriate documentation to the Academic Support Center (ASC) and may need accommodations should discuss options with the ASC during the first two weeks of the class. The ASC, at the request of the student, will then contact the instructor with suggested classroom strategies and recommended academic accommodations for this course. Approved documentation must be on file in the ASC prior to the beginning of the semester.
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”).
Cheaters Be Warned:
Because all work is submitted electronically in this class, I will always catch you cheating every time. I have an electronic copy of every paper that has ever been submitted for this class and I check all new work against this accumulated file. If you submit a paper which has ever been submitted—in part or in whole—for this class by someone else, you will fail the class for the semester.
Unit I Reading:
Biblical Text: Matthew, Mark & Luke
Study pages 2243-73 and all introductions and excurses in NISB in
Matthew, Mark & Luke.
Unit II Reading:
Biblical Text: John, 1, 2, & 3 John, and Revelation
Study all introductions and excurses in NISB in
John, 1, 2, & 3
John and Revelation.
Study pages 1-166 in Engaging 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 all introductions and excurses in NISB in Paul’s 13 letters.
Unit IV Reading:
Biblical Text: James, Hebrews, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude
Study all introductions and excurses in NISB that you have not previously
read.
Very Tentative Test Dates:
Unit I (Synoptic Gospels) Feb. 22
Unit II (John) March 17
Unit III (Acts & Paul) April 25
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.”
1/6/08