New Testament Survey
CSBS 1312.02
MWF 9:00 – 9:50
Spring 2007
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Instructor
Derek S. Dodson, Ph.D.
E-mail: Derek_Dodson@baylor.edu
Meetings can be scheduled.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
“A course intended to introduce the student to the New Testament and to an intelligent and
appreciative understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the early Christian movement, and
the doctrinal concepts and ethical ideals of Christianity” (Undergraduate Catalog 2005-2006, UMHB).
TEXTS
The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. Third Edition.
Oxford University Press, 2001.
Abbreviation for syllabus: NOAB
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Primary Objective: for students to become informed—and consequently interested—readers of the
New Testament. As informed readers of the NT, I not only want you to know the contents of the NT,
but I also want you to gain a critical appreciation of the historical distance between us as modern readers
and the ancient texts of the NT. I want you to consider how these texts were heard or read by their
ancient audiences by asking historical, literary, rhetorical, theological, and ideological questions of the
texts. I also intend for you to gain certain critical perspectives needed to evaluate contemporary
interpretations of the NT, which you may encounter in various ways through religious, public, and
private institutions: in church-related and religious literature, in sermons, in politics, through the media,
and in informal conversations with family and friends.
Functional Objectives:
1. To understand the political, religious, and cultural context of the New Testament and early
Christianity.
2. To know the major issues and concerns of the Pauline and General letters of the New Testament.
3. To have a working knowledge of the book of Revelation and be familiar with the history of its
interpretation.
4. To know the structure and major themes of the four Gospels, as well as the issues and problems
related to the study of the Gospels.
5. To be familiar with the interpretive issues of specific NT passages that have particular contemporary
significance.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Reading Assignments
The primary work for this class is daily reading assignments. To help with the reading assignments,
reading guides and questions will be made available through My Campus for each reading assignment.
The reading guides/questions are not optional; they are an integral part of the reading assignment.
Reading guides/questions may be taken up and graded as a quiz score (see below).
2. Quizzes
Over the course of the semester thirteen (13) quizzes will be given over the assigned reading and/or
reading questions; occasionally a quiz may be given at the end of class over the lecture material. Each
quiz is worth ten (10) points. Your three lowest quiz grades will be dropped. These quizzes will be
given at the beginning of class, and you will have five (5) minutes to take each quiz. At the end of five
minutes, the quizzes will be collected. As stated above, reading guides/questions may be collected and
graded as a quiz score.
 Quizzes cannot be made up. The three drops are intended to take into account absences due to
sickness, emergencies, etc. Only students who are absent due to university business will be allowed
to make up a quiz.
 If a student leaves class early, he or she will be counted absent for the day and cannot earn quiz
points for that day.
 Therefore, students who arrive late to class, leave early from class, or who are absent on the day of a
quiz will receive a zero (0) for that quiz.
3. Tests
Three unit tests will be given during the course of the semester. The unit tests are valued at 100 points
each and are designed to test you over the class lectures and discussions.
 Make-up tests are only given in the case of substantiated emergencies: illness (note from physician
required), family emergency, or official university business (note is required). You MUST contact
the instructor before the test is given.
 The student must take the make-up test within a week of the original test date.
4. Final Exam
The final exam will cover the last unit; it is not comprehensive. The final exam is scheduled for
Wednesday, May 2, at 8:30 am.
The final exam can be taken only at that time!
5. Participation
Your participation in this class is indispensable. I am of the conviction that true education takes place in
the intangible interaction between teacher and students. Thus, for you to experience fully the
educational benefits of this class, you need to be present. You must also be attentive. If a student
sleeps, reads, plays computer games, or any other activity that is not related to class, that student will be
counted absent.
 Be aware of the College of Christian Studies’s attendance policy, which states that you must attend
75% of classes in order to receive credit for a course. If you miss eleven (11) or more classes this
semester for any reason (excused or unexcused), you will not pass this course. Once again, this
policy is the college’s, and the instructor must abide by it.
COURSE GRADING
Point Values for Course Requirements:
Quizzes – 100 points
3 Unit Tests – 300 points
Final Exam – 100 points
TOTAL points: 500 points
Point Scale for Final Grade:
455-500 pts. = A
405-454 pts. = B
355-404 pts. = C
305-354 pts. = D
000-304 pts. = F
COURSE POLICY
This New Testament Survey course is being taught in a liberal arts context. It is an integral part of the
university curriculum at UMHB. You do not have to share a particular faith commitment to do well in
this class: the purpose is education not indoctrination. Thus, I will present various responsible
viewpoints on critical issues. You are not expected to agree with any one particular view, but you
should demonstrate that you understand the issues involved and the various options discussed in class.
Given UMHB’s explicit confessional identity, however, it is my hope that this class will provide an
occasion where students of various religious traditions and commitments can participate in that sacred
task of “faith seeking understanding.” I look forward to embarking with you on that adventurous
journey!
COURSE SCHEDULE
1/10
Introduction to the Course
Today’s New Testament: How Did We Get It?
1/12 New Testament Canon, part 1
READ: NOAB – “The Canons of the Bible, ‘definitions’,” 453; and “The Canons of the Bible,
‘The New Testament,’” 458-460.
1/15
[NO CLASS] – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Take this time to read Dr. King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail” at
http://www.nobelprizes.com/nobel/peace/MLK-jail.html
1/17
New Testament Canon, part 2
1/19
Textual Criticism of the NT, part 1
READ: NOAB – “Textual Criticism, ‘The Need for Textual Criticism,’ ‘Definitions,’ and
‘Reasons for Variants,’” 460-461; and “Textual Criticism, ‘New Testament Manuscripts,’” 464465.
1/22
Textual Criticism of the NT, part 2
READ: NOAB – “Textual Criticism, ‘The Process of Textual Criticism,’” 462.
Mark 16:1-20 [Pay attention to the translation note]
John 7:53—8:11 [Pay attention to the translation note]
1/24
Bible Translation: History and Theory
READ: NOAB – “Principles of Translation,” 466-468.
NOAB – “To The Reader,” xvii-xxi.
Read the read “No” and “Yes” arguments for inclusive language in Bible
translations and the respective “Responses” at
www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/011
The World of the New Testament
1/26 Political Context
READ: NOAB – “The Hellenistic Period,” 515-518
NOAB – “The Roman Period,” [only introductory section] 519-520
1/29
Jewish Context, part 1
READ: “Pharisees,” “Sadducees,” and “Scribes” at
http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=523CEF04-7110-473C9D01976950D94007&method=display
1/31
Jewish Context, part 2
READ: “Essenes,” “Zealots,” and “Samaritans” at
http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=523CEF04-7110-473C9D01976950D94007&method=display
2/2
Greco-Roman Context
READ: “The Christian Church in the Greek World” at
http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=14BECD93-424F-48D78AD562BC91031A3C&method=display
[Scroll down to the heading “The Christian Church in the Greek World.” Everything below this
heading should be read].
NOAB – “Religion, Astrology, and Magic,” 524-525; and “Philosophy as Healing of the
Soul,” 525.
2/5
The Jesus Movement & Early Christianity
READ: “The Jesus Movement,” “Diversity of Early Christianity,” “Wrestling With Their Jewish
Heritage,” “The Collision with Paganism,” and “Kingdoms in Conflict” at the PBS website From
Jesus to Christ: The First Christians.
Go to www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/first
These essays are under “The Testimony.”
2/7
TEST 1
The Pauline Tradition
2/9
Introduction to Paul, part 1
READ: Galatians 1:13-24; Philippians 3:4b-6
Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-22; 22:1-21
“Paul (Saul of Tarsus) at
http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=2E9BC326-CADB-4DEAB7BD40396B0EE3B2&method=display
“Letters of Paul” at
http://www.bibleresourcecenter.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=E6BCFA36-BD1C-41BC92718F0040B4A1AE&method=display
2/12
Introduction to Paul, part 2
2/14
1 Thessalonians (and 2 Thessalonians)
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to 1 Thessalonians,” NT 340
1 Thessalonians 1 & 4—5
NOAB – “Introduction to 2 Thessalonians, NT 345-346
2 Thessalonians 1:1—3:18
2/16
Corinthian Correspondence
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to 1 Corinthians,” NT 267-268
NOAB – “Introduction to 2 Corinthians,” NT 293-294
1 Corinthians 1—4; 7; 11:2-16; 12:1-31; 14:1-40
2/19
Galatians
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Galatians,” NT 309-310
Galatians 1—6
2/21
Philippians
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Philippians,” NT 328-329
Philippians 1—4
2/23
Philemon (and Colossians)
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Philemon,” NT 366-367
Philemon 1-25
NOAB – “Introduction to Colossians,” NT 334-335
Colossians – 1:1—3:17
2/26
Romans
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Romans,” NT 242-243
Romans 1—5; 9—11
2/28
Pauline Tradition, part 1 (Ephesians)
READ: NOAB - “Introduction to Ephesians,” NT 320-321
Ephesians 1—6
3/2
Pauline Tradition, part 2 (Pastoral Epistles)
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles,” NT 349
NOAB – “Introduction to 1 Timothy,” NT 350
1 Timothy 1—6
3/5
TEST 2
Other Canonical Traditions: The General Epistles and Revelation
3/7
Hebrews and James
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Hebrews,” NT 369-370
Hebrews 1:1—2:18
NOAB – “Introduction to James,” NT 36-387
James 1—5
3/9
1 Peter (and 2 Peter)
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to 1 Peter,” NT 394
1 Peter 1—5
NOAB – “Introduction to 2 Peter,” NT 401
3/12 – 3/16 [NO CLASS] – Spring Break
3/19
Revelation, part 1
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Revelation,” NT 420-421
Revelation 1—7
3/21
Revelation, part 2
READ: Revelation 12—13; 17; 19—21
3/23
TEST 3
The Canonical Gospels: One Gospel According to Four Evangelists
3/26
Introduction to the Gospels
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to the Gospels,” NT 3-6.
3/28
The Gospel According to Mark, part 1
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Mark,” NT 56-57
Mark 1:1—8:21
3/30
The Gospel According to Mark, part 2
READ: Mark 8:22—10:52
4/2
The Gospel According to Mark, part 3
READ: Mark 11:1—16:8
“Arrest and Execution” at
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/jesus/arrest.html
“Jesus and Jehohanan: An Archaeological Note on Cruxifixion” at
www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/jesus/crucifixion.html
4/4
The Gospel According to Matthew, part 1
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Matthew,” NT 7-8
Matthew 1—4
4/6
[NO CLASS] – Good Friday
4/9
The Gospel According to Matthew, part 2
READ: Matthew 5—7
4/11
The Gospel According to Matthew, part 3
READ: Matthew 26—28
4/13
The Gospel According to Luke, part 1
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to Luke,” NT 93-95
Luke 1—3
4/16
The Gospel According to Luke, part 2
READ: Luke 4:1-30; 9:51—16:30
4/18
The Gospel According to Luke, part 3
READ: Luke 22:39—24:53
4/20
The Acts of the Apostles
READ: NOAB - “Introduction to Acts of the Apostles,” NT 183-185
Acts 1:1—6:7; 9:1—10:44; 13:1—15:35; 21:17—28:31
4/23
The Gospel of According to John, part 1
READ: NOAB – “Introduction to John,” NT 146-147
John 1—6; 11
4/25
The Gospel According to John, part 2
READ: John 12:1—13:16; 18—21
4/27
Review Day
FINAL EXAM – Wednesday, May 2, at 8:30 am