1
New Testament Survey 2
NT2602
January 20-May 14, 2015
Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Mitch Kimbrell
mwkimbrell01@mabts.edu
(901) 751-3021
I. Course Description: NT2602 is, according to the 2014-15 MABTS Catalog, "A study of
the epistles of the New Testament and the Apocalypse of John. Includes
both matters of introduction and content."1
II. Objectives: Upon the completion of this course, the student should:
1. Understand the critical (including text-critical and the status quaestionis) issues
surrounding each of the books surveyed during the term.
2. Know and understand the introductory matters, theme, purpose, and contribution of
the New Testament (NT) books surveyed during the semester
3. Know the overall structure of and have an understanding of the central theological
issues of each book surveyed during the term.
4. Have an increased awareness and capacity to interpret, teach, and/or preach these
Scriptures.
III. Requirements
A. Syllabus and Reading Statement: Each student must read and understand this
syllabus in its entirety. The last page of this syllabus must be signed and returned by
Thursday, January 22. Failing to sign and turn in the last page of this syllabus by Thursday,
January 22 will result in five points off of the student's final grade.
B. Required Texts:
• Carson, D. A. and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. 2nd ed.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005.
• Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. 8th ed. Revised by Wayne C.
Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, et al. Chicago: University of Chicago
Press, 2013.
• November 2014 MABTS supplement to Turabian Manual, 8th edition
• "Logos Bible Research Software (Silver Edition or above) is required for all
courses in the New Testament Department."2
C. Required Textbook Reading Assignments and Quizzes: Each student must
read the relevant portions of Carson and Moo prior to the first class period that discusses
that portion of the book. For example, before the first class period during which the
instructor will lecture concerning NT epistles, the student must have read chapter 8 of
1 MABTS 2014-2015 Catalog, 111.
2 Ibid., 110.
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Carson's and Moo's book and be prepared for a quiz covering the chapter's contents.
Additionally, each student must read the NT books being covered during lecture.
D. Outside Reading: In addition to the textbook reading assignments, students are
required to read a minimum of 400 pages from various scholarly New Testament
introductions, commentaries, and/or journals. Reference, devotional, and popular literature
is not acceptable for this assignment. The subject matter of this assignment is to be confined
to areas that parallel the content of the course. These assignments will be due at the
beginning of class on the days stipulated below.
The reports will consist of the title(s) and author(s)/editor(s)/etc. of the source(s)
read, actual number of pages read, and a running total of the pages read through that point of
the semester. The syllabus's bibliography is a resource to which the student may turn to find
outside reading material, but the student may select for outside reading other appropriate
literature not included in the bibliography below.
E. Notebook: All class notes will be placed into a notebook. The notebooks will be
due by the time of the class's final exam. This notebook will be graded on its completeness
and orderly arrangement. (Notes produced electronically must be printed and placed into a
notebook.)
F. Exams: Each student will take three exams. The third will serve as a noncomprehensive final exam and will be administered during this class's scheduled final exam.
G. Research Paper: Each student will submit a paper at least eight pages in length
no later than Thursday, May 14. (Minimum page length does not include title page, contents
page, bibliography, and any appendices.) A good research paper will introduce and defend a
position/argument. Additionally, the research paper must include at least 10 sources,
including no more than two non-scholarly (website, popular periodicals, Bible study
materials) sources, if any.
The paper's topic will need to be approved by the instructor by the end of the day on
Thursday, January 22, and various portions of the paper will be due on the dates mentioned
in the class schedule below. The paper will be graded according to style, content, and
adherence to the Turabian Manual, 8th edition, as well as the November 2014 MABTS
supplement to the Turabian Manual, 8th edition. The MABTS Turabian supplement and a
grading rubric for the paper will be made available to the student.
Possible Research Paper Topics:
1. The New Covenant in Hebrews
2. Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity?
3. James D. G. Dunn’s version of the New Perspective: Analysis and Critique
4. N. T. Wright’s version of the New Perspective: Analysis and Critique
5. Harmonizing Acts and Paul: Chronology and Theology
6. Hebrews 6:1–11: Paradise Lost?
7. The Authorship of Ephesians: Challenges and Answers
8. The Authorship of 2 Peter: Challenges and Answers
9. 1 Peter 3:19: The Spirit’s in Prison and Other Problems
10. The Sin unto Death in 1 John
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11. The Romans Debate: The Purpose of the Book of Romans
12. The Relationship between 2 Peter 2 and Jude
13. James on Justification by Faith
14. The Doxology of Romans 16:24–25: Where Does It Belong?
15. Paul’s Doctrine of Election
16. The Place of Israel in Paul’s Writings
17. The Place of the Rapture: Pre- or Post-tribulation?
18. Paul’s View of Women in the Ministry
19. Peter’s Endorsement of Paul: Fact or Fiction?
20. Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews?
21. The Destination of the Letter to the Galatians: North or South?
22. Paul on Money
23. The Rapture and the Book of Revelation
24. The Solecisms of the Book of Revelation
25. Preterists and the Book of Revelation: Assessment and Critique
26. Persecution in the First Century
27. Slavery in the New Testament
28. Archaeology and Paul
29. The Divisions in the Church of Corinth (1 Corinthians)
30. The Truth about Speaking in Tongues
31. The Baptism of the Spirit
32. Giving in the New Testament
33. Baptismal Regeneration: Assessment and Critique
34. The Nature of the Lord’s Supper: Assessment and Critique
35. Homosexuality and the New Testament
36. Divorce and Remarriage in Paul
37. An Exegesis of (any non-Gospel or non-Acts text)
38. An Exegesis and Interpretation of a "difficult passage" in a non-Gospel or non-Acts
book
IV. Attendance
According to MABTS' Catalog, the student is allowed no more than nine absences,
excused or otherwise. Sometimes, circumstances require that a student leave class early, but
the student must be in class for at least half the class session to be considered present. If the
student accumulates more than nine absences, he or she will not receive credit for the
course.
According to the MABTS Catalog, an excused absence includes a "personal or
family illness, death in the family or other emergency on the church field or place of
employment, which requires the student's presence. No other absence is considered excused.
An excused absence still factors into the total number of absences."3
The instructor will begin class when the bell rings, so the student is considered tardy
if he or she arrives after each session has begun. Three tardy marks equal one absence.
3 Ibid., 64.
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V. Class Policies
A. Assignments
• Exams and quizzes missed due to an unexcused absence cannot be made up. Your
exams are scheduled on the syllabus and any deviation from the syllabus' exam schedule
will be announced ahead of time.
• The instructor will allow each student to drop his or her three lowest quiz grades.
No other assignment grades will be dropped.
• Most quizzes will be announced, but the student should expect that anything the
instructor teaches is eligible to appear on an unannounced quiz during a future class session.
• Quizzes and exams will begin when the class begins. A student may not begin an
exam or quiz late.
• Late assignments are penalized one letter grade per calendar day (including
weekend days) they are late. For example, a perfect semester paper turned in one day late
can receive a B+ at best.
B. Absences
• If a student misses class with an excused absence, he or she must notify the
instructor as soon as possible the nature of the excused absence.
• If class is missed because of an excused absence, whatever assignments were
missed in the student's absence (if the assignments can be made up or turned in late) are due
at the beginning of class the day he or she returns to class. Likewise with quizzes or an exam
missed due to an excused absence—the student must make up the quiz(zes) or exam the day
he or she returns to class. The student may get word of what he or she missed by contacting
a classmate or the instructor.
• If the student misses class for any reason other than an excused absence, defined
above, he or she may not take a quiz or exam at a later date. Likewise, the student may not
take a quiz or exam early.
C. Classroom Comportment
• Cell phone use of any kind is not permitted in class. Please put your cell phones
either in your pocket, purse, or book bag during class. Do not send or receive text messages
or calls during class. If you must take an emergency call during class, please exit the room.
• The use of a computer in class for taking notes is allowed. Any other use of an
electronic device is not permitted in class. (Including, but not limited to: playing games;
using the Internet for sending or checking email, using social media, web surfing, etc.)
• Please do not begin gathering your things or otherwise preparing to leave until the
bell signaling the end of the class session has rung. The instructor reserves the right to
continue class even after the bell has rung.
• Please do not eat during class or leave the classroom unless leaving is absolutely
necessary.
• Please do not study for or work on assignments for other classes while this class is
in session.
D. Miscellany
• As a student at MABTS, you have an mabts.edu email address that the instructor
expects you to check daily. Occasionally, the instructor might send important emails that
require immediate attention. Not having checked your school mail will not be considered an
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excuse for missing an assignment or message from the instructor. Please check your school
email address daily.
• To become a student at MABTS, each applicant must demonstrate that he or she
has been regenerated and called to vocational ministry. As a result, the utmost integrity is
expected in all facets of student life, but particularly, in this context, in regard to academic
work ethic in and out of the classroom and in regard to assignments. If a take-home quiz or
other take-home work is assigned, the student must complete the work without the aid of
books (electronic or otherwise), notes, or any other resources. The same rules apply to inclass assignments, as well, unless otherwise stated.
• As is the case with all of MABTS's professors and instructors, your class's
instructor is available and very glad to meet with students for additional help or counsel
either by dropping in his office or by appointment. Email or call the instructor to schedule
an appointment.
• The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus as he deems necessary.
VI. Academic Honesty/Plagiarism
"Each student agrees with the following:
• I understand and will support and follow the Honor Code.
• I will not personally use unauthorized materials, and I will not participate
with others in cheating.
• I will not facilitate cheating, and if I become aware of violations of
academic moral integrity, I understand that I have a responsibility to the
seminary community and will at least say something to the student
involved or discuss the situation with a professor or the appropriate Dean.
"Academic work is evaluated on the assumption and expectation that the work
presented is the student's own, unless designated otherwise. Anything less is
unacceptable and is considered academically dishonest. Collaboration, plagiarism,
and cheating—all defined below—are considered forms of academic dishonesty
and students guilty of such are subject to disciplinary action.
"1. Collaboration: Submission of a paper that is paraphrased from, or
identical to, another student's paper. A 'paper' is defined as 'any materials
submitted by a student for credit in a course.'
2. Plagiarism: Submission of a paper in which substantial portions are
paraphrased without documentation or are identical to published or
unpublished material.
3. Cheating: The improper use of books, notes, another student's tests, or
other aids during an examination. It is the responsibility of the student to
get approval for the use of such aids prior to the time of the examination,
and without such approval they will be considered improper. An
'examination' is defined as 'any testing situation in which the score will be
used for credit in a course.'"4
4 Ibid., 76.
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VII. Grading
The instructor will use a total of 100 points to determine, in part, the student's final
grade, which will be in accordance with the MABTS grading scale. Where the student's final
grade is concerned, there will be no rounding up. For example, a final grade of 94.9% is a
B+, not an A-.
Logos Assignments: 5%
Participation:
10%
- based largely on attendance and interaction with the instructor during lecture
Outside Reading:
10%
Quizzes:
20%
Exams:
25%
Research Paper:
30%
---------------------------------------100%
MABTS Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
97-100
95-96
93-94
90-92
87-89
84-86
81-83
77-80
75-76
72-74
70-71
69 and below
4.0 quality points per semester hour
3.8 quality points per semester hour
3.5 quality points per semester hour
3.0 quality points per semester hour
2.7 quality points per semester hour
2.3 quality points per semester hour
2.0 quality points per semester hour
1.7 quality points per semester hour
1.3 quality points per semester hour
1.0 quality points per semester hour
0.7 quality points per semester hour
0.0 quality points per semester hour
VIII. Class Schedule
The instructor reserves the right to deviate from this schedule if he deems necessary.
The instructor will give ample warning if he expects to change due dates or exam dates.
SESSION
(Week 1) 1
DATE
Tu 1/20
AGENDA
Introduction to course, syllabus review
2
W 1/21
New Testament Letters
3
Th 1/22
5
W 1/28
New Testament Letters
Signed Syllabus Agreement due
Research Paper topic due
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 2) 4
Tu 1/27
Paul: Apostle and Theologian
Paul: Apostle and Theologian
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SESSION
DATE
AGENDA
6
Th 1/29
Romans
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 3) 7
Tu 2/3
Romans
8
W 2/4
9
Th 2/5
11
W 2/11
12
Th 2/12
14
W 2/18
Romans
1 and 2 Corinthians
Reading Report #1 due
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 4) 10
Tu 2/10
1 and 2 Corinthians
Galatians
Galatians
Intro., first body page, bibliography due
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 5) 13
Tu 2/17
Ephesians
Ephesians
15
Th 2/19
Philippians, Review for Exam #1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 6) 16
Tu 2/24
EXAM #1
17
W 2/25
Philippians
18
Th 2/26
Colossians
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 7) 19
Tu 3/3
Colossians
20
W 3/4
1 and 2 Thessalonians
21
Th 3/5
1 and 2 Thessalonians
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SPRING BREAK—NO CLASS Tuesday March, 10-Thursday, March 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 8) 22
Tu 3/24
The Pastoral Epistles
Reading Report #2 due
Logos Assignment #1 due
23
W 3/25
The Pastoral Epistles
24
Th 3/26
Philemon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 9) 25
Tu 3/31
Philemon
8
SESSION
26
DATE
W 4/1
AGENDA
Hebrews
27
Th 4/2
Hebrews
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 10) 28
Tu 4/7
Hebrews
29
W 4/8
James
30
Th 4/9
James, Review for Exam #2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 11) 31
Tu 4/14
EXAM #2
32
W 4/15
33
Th 4/16
35
W 4/22
36
Th 4/23
39
W 5/6
1 Peter
1 Peter
Reading Report #3 due
Logos Assignment #2 due
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 12) 34
Tu 4/21
2 Peter
2 Peter
The Johannine Epistles
Title page, conclusion due
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------WORSHIP CONFERENCE—NO CLASS Tuesday April, 28-Wednesday, April 29
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 13) 37
Th 4/30
The Johannine Epistles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 14) 38
Tu 5/5
Jude
Jude
40
Th 5/7
Revelation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Week 15) 41
Tu 5/12
Revelation
42
W 5/13
43
Th 5/14
The NT Canon
The NT Canon, Review for Final Exam
Reading Report #4 due
Final draft of research paper due
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FINAL EXAMS—Tuesday, May 19-Wednesday, May 20
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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Achtemeier, Paul J. 1 Peter in Hermeneia: A Critical and Historical Commentary on the
Bible. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1996.
Aland, Kurt. and Barbara Aland, The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the
Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. 2nd
ed. Translated by Erroll F. Rhodes. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans 1995.
Bauckham, Richard J. 2 Peter, Jude. Vol. 50, Word Bible Commentary. Waco, TX: Word
Books, 1983.
Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation in New International Greek Testament Commentary.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
Blomberg, Craig L. and Mariam J. Kamell. James in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on
the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008.
Bruce, F. F. 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Vol. 45, Word Bible Commentary. Waco, TX: Word
Books, 1986.
Davids, Peter H. The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude in Pillar New Testament Commentary.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.
Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.
Elwell, Walter A. and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical
and Theological Survey. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.
Ellingworth, Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews in New International Greek Testament
Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Evans, Craig A. and Stanley E. Porter, eds. Dictionary of New Testament Background: A
Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship. Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 2000.
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Fee, Gordon. Philippians in The New International Commentary on the New Testament.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
———. The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians in The New International
Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.
Garland, David. 1 Corinthians in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003.
Gæbelein, Frank E. Hebrews through Revelation. Vol. 12, The Expositor's Bible
Commentary with the New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1981.
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. 4th ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity
Press, 1990.
Harris, Murray J. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text
in New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
Hawthorne, Gerald F., Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His
Letters. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
House, H. Wayne. Chronological and Background Charts of the New Testament. 2nd ed.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009.
Jobes, Karen. 1 Peter in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Letter of James in The Anchor Yale Bible Comentaries. New
Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005.
Keener, Craig. New Testament. Vol. 2, The IVP Bible Background Commentary. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
———. 1-2 Corinthians in New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2005.
Köstenberger, Andreas, L. Scott Kellum, and Charles L. Quarles. The Cradle, the Cross,
and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville, B&H Academic,
2009.
Knight III, George W. The Pastoral Epistles in New International Greek Testament
Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
Kruse, Colin G. The Letters of John in Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2000.
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Martin, Ralph P., and Peter H. Davids, eds. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its
Developments. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
McCartney, Dan. James in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009.
Metzger, Bruce M. and Bart D. Ehrman. The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission,
Corruption, and Restoration. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Moo, Douglas. The Epistle to the Romans in The New International Commentary on the
New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
———. Galatians in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids:
Baker Academic, 2013.
———. The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon in Pillar New Testament
Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008.
Mounce, William. Pastoral Epistles. Vol. 46, Word Bible Commentary. Waco, TX: Word
Books, 2000.
O'Brien, Peter T. Ephesians in Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1999.
———. Philippians in New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1991.
———. The Letter to the Hebrews in Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2010.
Osborne, Grant R. Revelation in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002.
Pao, David. Colossians and Philemon in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New
Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.
Peterson, David G. Acts in Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
2009.
Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans in Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1998.
———. Galatians in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.
———. 1, 2, Peter, Jude. Vol. 37, The New American Commentary. Nashville: Holman
Reference, 2003.
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Schnabel, Eckhard J. Acts in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.
Stott, John R. W. The Message of 1 & 2 Thessalonians in The Bible Speaks Today. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, Academic, 1994.
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations:
Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. 8th ed. Revised by Wayne C. Booth,
Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, et al. Chicago: University of Chicago
Press, 2013.
Yarbrough, Robert W. 1-3 John in Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2008.
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READING REPORT #1
A. Source(s) read for Reading Report #1
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
B. Number of pages read in each source
__________________________________________________________________________
C. Total number of eligible pages read through the end of Reading Report #1
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
Print Name
__________________________________
Date
__________________________________
Signature
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READING REPORT #2
A. Source(s) read for Reading Report #2
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
B. Number of pages read in each source
__________________________________________________________________________
C. Total number of eligible pages read through the end of Reading Report #2
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
Print Name
__________________________________
Date
__________________________________
Signature
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READING REPORT #3
A. Source(s) read for Reading Report #3
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
B. Number of pages read in each source
__________________________________________________________________________
C. Total number of eligible pages read through the end of Reading Report #3
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
Print Name
__________________________________
Date
__________________________________
Signature
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READING REPORT #4
A. Source(s) read for Reading Report #4
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
B. Number of pages read in each source
__________________________________________________________________________
C. Total number of eligible pages read through the end of Reading Report #4
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
Print Name
__________________________________
Date
__________________________________
Signature
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This page must be turned in by Thursday, January 22. Failing to sign and turn in this page
by Thursday, January 22 will result in five points off of the student's final grade.
SYLLABUS AGREEMENT
I, the undersigned, have read this syllabus in its entirety, and I understand its contents.
__________________________________
Print Name
__________________________________
Date
__________________________________
Signature