RLG 241Y, Early Christian Writings: The New Testament
University of Toronto at Mississauga, 2004–2005
Instructor: Dr. Scott G. Brown
Office telephone: 905-828-3764
Home telephone: 705-733-0601 (evenings only)
E-mail: scottg.brown@sympatico.ca
Lectures: Tues. 4:10–6:00
Classroom: NE 287
Office: NE 117
Office Hour: Tues. 6:00–7:00
NATURE OF THE COURSE
RLG 241Y is an introduction to the academic study of the New Testament. In keeping with the
trend in biblical scholarship over the past two centuries, we will study the Christian scriptures
using the same tools of historical and literary investigation that are employed elsewhere in the
humanities. The goal of this strictly academic enterprise is to enhance our understanding of these
religious writings by exploring the tangible/human factors involved in shaping them; in
particular, we will focus on the authors and original recipients of these works; the historical
circumstances that prompted the authors to write; and the broader social, cultural, political, and
literary milieux in which these written interactions took place.
Since we will be treating the New Testament as a window onto the history of earliest
Christianity, the amount of attention we devote to any one book will depend largely on the
amount of relevant historical information it contains. It is unlikely that we will cover more than
twenty-three of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings.
3rd ed. Oxford University Press, 2004.
The Bible. Please use a standard translation, specifically, either the Revised Standard Version
(RSV), New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Jerusalem Bible (JB), or New International
Version (NIV). Thou shalt not use the King James Bible (or NKJV).
On occasion, readings available on the Internet may be assigned when relevant.
COURSE WEBPAGE
My comments, instructions, and handouts relating to the lectures will appear on the course
webpage. Please check it before each lecture: http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~browns/241Y.html
2
TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Tests: There will be three two-hour tests. These tests cover the lectures and assigned readings.
For the second and third tests, you will not need to study materials that have already been tested.
Most likely, these tests will consist of short-answer and multiple-choice questions, and you will
have some choice for the short-answer questions. One format that I might use is seven ten-mark
questions (from a choice of ten) and ten one-mark multiple-choice questions.
Essays: Participants must write two essays. A list of topics will be distributed later. Length: 8–10
pages.
First Test (November 2)
First Essay (November 23)
Second Test (January 25)
Second Essay (March 8)
Third Test (April 5)
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF WORK
There is no provision for students to rewrite test questions or assignments in order to improve a
grade. Consequently, students who are unsure about how to produce a particular kind of paper
should take advantage of the instructor’s office hours, various online writing resources, and the
writing labs offered by the university before doing the work. Participants are encouraged to bring
in a point-form outline of their essay well in advance of completion. The regulations concerning
missed tests and the regrading of tests and papers are contained in the Academic Handbook:
http://www.artsandscience.utoronto.ca/ofr/calendar/rules.htm#term
All essays must be submitted to the instructor directly, either in person or electronically as e-mail
attachments in MS Word format. Do not leave papers in the drop box or under my office door.
Note that I live 120 km from UTM and am only on campus on Tuesdays between 3:30 and 7:00.
The penalty for late papers is 1% per weekday (5% per week). Extensions must be arranged at
least a week in advance of the due date. The last day I will accept late papers is 14 days after the
original deadline.
ADDING OR DROPPING THIS COURSE
The final date to add this course is September 22, and the final date to drop this course is
February 13. If you drop a course it is necessary to do this officially by using the Student
Telephone System (STS) or the Student Web Service (SWS). According to the Academic
Handbook, “Merely ceasing to attend classes is not in itself the act of dropping.”
3
LECTURE TOPICS AND ASSIGNED READINGS
09/14/2004
Introduction to the academic study of the New Testament
Assigned reading:

09/21
Christianity’s Jewish heritage

09/28
Mark 8:22–16:8
The Gospel of Matthew, Part I

10/26
Mark 1:1–8:21; Ehrman, chap. 5
The Gospel of Mark, Part II

10/19
Ehrman, chaps. 3, 4, 6
The Gospel of Mark, Part I

10/12
Ehrman, chap. 2
Oral tradition and the written sources behind the gospels

10/05
Ehrman, chaps. 1, 29
Matthew 1–16; Ehrman, chap. 7
The Gospel of Matthew, Part II

Matthew 17–28
11/02
First Test
11/09
The Gospel of Luke

11/16
Luke; Ehrman, chap. 8
Acts

Acts; Ehrman, chap. 9
4
11/23
The historical Jesus


11/30
From Jesus to Paul

12/07
Ehrman, chaps. 13, 14, 15
First Essay Due
Ehrman, chaps. 16 and 17
The historical Paul

Ehrman, chap. 18
Second Term
01/04/2004
1 Thessalonians and Galatians

01/11
1 and 2 Corinthians, Philippians, and Philemon

01/18
Ehrman, chap. 19 and pp. 331–39 (on Galatians)
1 and 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon; Ehrman, pp. 316–31, 340–
47
Romans, Part I

Romans 1–8; Ehrman, chap. 21
01/25
Second Test
02/01
Romans, Part II

02/08
Romans 9–16; Ehrman, chap. 22
The Disputed Letters of Paul

2 Thessalonians, Colossians, and Ephesians; Ehrman, pp. 372–85
02/15
Reading Week
02/22
The Pastorals

1, 2 Timothy, Titus; Ehrman, pp. 385–94, and chap. 24
5
03/01
1 Peter and James

03/08
The Gospel of John, Part I


03/15
1, 2, 3 John; Ehrman, chap. 11
Revelation

04/05
John 11–21; Ehrman, chap. 12
The Letters of John

03/29
John 1–10; Ehrman, chap. 10
Second Essay Due
The Gospel of John, Part II

03/22
1 Peter, James; Ehrman, chap. 26 and pp. 445–50
Revelation; Ehrman, chap 28
Third Test