BI 522 – New Testament Introduction
Syllabus
Brother Bryan Samms
I.
Course Description
This course is an examination of the canon, text, inspiration, and interpretive data to gain
a better understanding of the Old Testament. Detail will be given to the authorship, date,
theme, liberal criticism, secular and historical background of New Testament Scriptures.
II.
Course Objectives
This course will endeavor to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
III.
Ground students in the truth through Biblical study.
Cause students to be articulate in matters of Old Testament inspiration and
canon.
Give students a thorough knowledge of themes and settings of Old Testament
books.
Teach students how to have an answer to critical liberal scholars on important
Old Testament issues.
Be better as a minister of the Gospel through clear application of truth learned in
class to contemporary situations.
Course Requirements
1. Lecture Notes and Supplemental handouts can be found at samms.wcbc.edu. Each
student is expected to download these notes to their computers or print them for a
notebook. This can be checked at any time by the professor.
2. If a student misses a class for any reason, it is the responsibility of the student to get the
notes from another student or the instructor.
3. Textbooks: You are required to read the textbooks for the class.
Carson, D.A. and Moo, Douglas, An Introduction to the New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan
4. Quizzes: Each student will be required to read the text book according to the following
schedule. Students will be quizzed over the reading material according to the following
schedule.
Quiz 1 – February 4
1
Chapter 2
Quiz 2 – February 11
Quiz 3 – February 18
Quiz 4 – February 25
Quiz 5 – March 4
Quiz 6 – March 11
Quiz 7 – March 18
Quiz 8 – March 25
Quiz 9 – April 8
Quiz 10 – April 15
Quiz 11 – April 22
Chapters 3-4
Chapters 5-6
Chapters 8-9
Chapters 10-11
Chapters 12-15
Chapters 16-18
Chapters 19-20
Chapters 21-22
Chapter 23
Chapters 24-25
5. Essay Questions: Each student will write six answers to the following essay questions.
They must be 750 words in length and must have a bibliography page with five
referenced sources.
Essay 1 – Due Thursday, February 13th
Discuss Galatians 4:4 as it relates to the Greco-Roman world of the New Testament.
Essay 2 – Due Thursday, February 20th
What was the nature of the influence of Roman government and emperors upon the ministry of
Christ and the early church?
Essay 3 – Due Thursday, February 27th
Please account for the authorship of the New Testament books. Why are they considered
canonical? Were they all apostles?
Essay 4 – Due Thursday, March 20th
Explain your belief of the closing of the canon and continued revelation.
Essay 5 – Due Thursday, April 10th
What are the synoptic Gospels? Explain the similarities and differences in general. Then, choose
and alleged discrepancy and provide and explanation.
Essay 6 – Due Thursday, April 17th
Create a sermon outline from the life of the Apostle Paul. Include a title, a text, a theme, and a
paragraph for each of the following: introduction, main points, and conclusion.
6. Tests: You will have two written exams in this class. Each test covers the lectures and
the textbook reading leading up to that test date.
 Midterm Exam – Thursday, March 13th
 Final Exam – Tuesday, April 29th
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V.
Spiritual and Academic Integrity
1. Attendance: Students may not miss more than 15% of the class meetings. It is your
responsibility to keep up with your attendance on the portal. You will be notified by my
office when you have missed 10%. You will be automatically dropped from the class at
15%. Only the academic office can help you if you reach the 15% mark.
2. Academic Honesty:
a. Cheating is lying. It dishonors God. Don’t do it.
b. Plagiarism - The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them
off as one's own. Please do your own work. There are no short cuts to a successful
life and ministry. Do the work. Laziness and lack of character will catch up with
you somewhere.
V.
Grading
1. No work will be accepted late.
2. Quizzes:
3. Tests:
4. Discussion Questions:
5. Outside Reading:
6. Annotated Bibliography:
15%
45%
20%
15%
5%
A Final Word: It is my privilege to be your instructor this semester. If there is any way that I
can be a help to you, please do not hesitate to call or email.
Office – (661) 946-4663 ext. 384
Cell – (661) 492-3598
Email – bryan.samms@wcbc.edu
Twitter: bryansamms
Facebook: BryanAngie Samms
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NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION WEEKLY SCHEDULE
SPRING 2014
Date
Week 1: January 30
Week 4: February 18, 20
Material Covered
The World of the New
Testament
The Fullness of Time
Cultural and Political Influences
of the New Testament
Intertestamental History
Week 5: February 25, 27
First Century Judaism
Week 6: March 4, 6
Review of Textbook Principles
Week 7: March 11, 13
Inspiration and Canonicity
Week 8: March 18, 20
Gospels
Week 9: March 25, 27
Paul the Apostle (pt. 1)
TUESDAY: Quiz - Chapter 2
TUESDAY: Quiz – Chapters 3, 4
THURSDAY: Essay 1
TUESDAY: Quiz – Chapters 5, 6
THURSDAY: Essay 2
TUESDAY: Quiz – Chapters 8. 9
THURSDAY: Essay 3
TUESDAY: Quiz – Chapters 10. 11
THURSDAY: NO CLASS (FA)
TUESDAY: Quiz Chapters 12-15
THURSDAY: MIDTERM EXAM
TUESDAY: Quiz Chapters 16-18
THURSDAY: Essay 4
TUESDAY: Quiz Chapters 19-20
Week 10: April 1, 3
Week 11: April 8, 10
Paul the Apostle (pt. 2)
Letters: Authorship and
Antilegomena
Dispensationalism: Law and
Grace
Dispensationalism: Eschatology
FINAL EXAM
THURSDAY: NO CLASS (YC)
TUESDAY: Quiz Chapters 21-22
THURSAY: Essay 5
TUESDAY: Quiz Chapter 23
THURSDAY: Essay 6
TUESDAY: Quiz Chapter 24-25
FINAL EXAM
Week 2: February 4, 6
Week 3: February 11, 13
Week 12: April 15, 17
Week 13: April 22, 24
Week 12: April 29
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Assignments