NEW TESTAMENT 1 - SYLLABUS

MANILA BAPTIST SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

S.Y. 2017-18

NT 151

New Testament Survey I

First Semester

Tuesdays, 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Classroom A

Guillermo V. Balanon Jr. Mdiv SWBTS

email: jhunrose_magik@yahoo.com.ph

Course Description

New Testament 1 covers the Gospels and the Acts . The survey of each of these book will be the focus of the study including the Background, Isagogics, Structure, and the Genres of the Gospels and Acts. In addition, comparisons of events between the Gospels, especially the synoptics, will be given importance for hermeneutical purposes. Furthermore, the course will present some issues to be addressed for better understanding of the Gospels and Acts. Finally, the application of the Gospels and Acts in the present time.

Objectives

At the end of the semester the students will able to:

• understand the historical background of New Testament for better understanding of the books.

• master each book of the Gospels and the book of Acts in terms of purpose, structure, content and theology;
• identify the theological and practical emphases of the Gospels and Acts;
• determine the author's presentation of Jesus in the Gospels;
• explain the significance of the similarities and the differences between the Gospel accounts;

• value the importance of the Gospels and Acts in relation to Christian life;

• relate the study of this book in other related disciplines like hermeneutics, homiletics, and others.

Textbooks

Bible

For Bachelor Program

D.A. Carson, Douglas Moo, and Leon Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament

For Master of Divinity Program

Craig Blomberg, Jesus and the Gospels

       

Weekly Quizzes

       The students must be prepared for 5 quizzes within this term. The purpose of this requirement is to have a mastery of the book of the Gospels and Acts. Before the assigned date for quiz, the student should finish one book. For example, the first quiz I all about the Gospel of Matthew. The student should finish reading the Gospel of Matthew prior to the date of quiz not only for the coverage of the quiz, but also, for additional 5 points of reading the whole book that will be added to the quiz. There would be 25 items, which is equivalent to 25 points. The total number of points for 5 quizzes is 125 points. This comprises the 15% of the final grade for bachelor program and 10% for MDiv program.

         

Reading Assignments

      All students are required to finish the assigned reading before or on the assigned day it should be done. The student will give the percentage of the reading he/she had finished. This requirement is to discipline the students in reading and critical analysis and to be informed about the issues as far as New Testament is concerned. This comprises 15% of the final grade.

Bible Book Mastery

     All students are expected to have a mastery of the first 5 books of the New Testament. This includes 3 important areas:

1. Isagogics - the big idea of the book (author, recipients, occasion of writings -date and place, purpose of author, summary

                                                                statement, relation to Jesus)

2. Structure of the Book - Divisions (theme of each division)
3. The Distinct Features of the Book

     This paper requires proper citation, footnoting, and biography. This comprises 30% of the final grade for Bachelor students and 15% for MDiv students.

Major Examinations

        There will be two major examinations in this class, midterm and final exam. The former covers the synoptic gospels and the final covers the Gospel of John and Acts. This also includes the reading assignment . Types of exam are multiple choice, matching type, and essay. This comprises 30% of the final grade for Bachelor students and 25% for MDiv students.

Attendance

        All students are encouraged to attend all the class meetings in this subject. Any reason aside from emergency or life and death or health situation are unacceptable. If a student is absent, he/she must be responsible enough to ask the professor or the classmate about the lesson or the assignment for the next meeting. Students can only have 2 absences. The next absent, he/she will be considered dropped in the subject. In addition, 4 times late is equivalent to 1 absent. This comprises 10% of the final grade.

Term Paper

       This requirement is exclusively for the Master of Divinity students. MDiv students are required to write a term paper about the issues related to Gospels and Acts. This paper is 8 to 10 pages in length. Make sure that the thesis statement or argument is stated clearly. Students needs to have at least 10 references. Proper citations and footnoting are required. This comprises 25% of the final grade. The following are suggested topics for this requirement.

1. Long Ending or Short Ending of the Gospel of Mark.

2. The Unity in Diversity of the Synoptic Gospels.

3. The First Century Understanding of the Kingdom of God.
4. Eschatology through the Gospels

5. Examining the Evangelistic Preaching in Acts

6. Messianic Secret

Grading

     For Bachelor Students

Quizzes                                                                 15%

           Reading Assignments                                        15%

Bible Book Mastery Paper                               30%

Major Examinations                                           30%

Attendance                                                          10%

             100 %

    For MDiv Students

Quizzes                                                                 10%

           Reading Assignments                                        15%

Bible Book Mastery Paper                                15%

Term Paper                                                          25%

Major Examinations                                           25%

Attendance                                                          10%

                       100 %

Letter grades shall be determined by the following scale: 

100-98 (A+)  97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-);

89-88 (B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78

(C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68

(D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-);

Below 60 = F.

Academic Integrity

          Plagiarism is one of the forms of stealing. When the professor found out that a student has plagiarized any of the following assignments, he or she will receive a grade of zero on that particular assignment. In addition, anyone who will be caught cheating during quiz and exams will also receive a zero grade. The seminary will be notified whenever there will be occurrence of these incidents.

Contact Information

         The professor encourages the students to approach him whenever there they need help in this course. He gladly wants to help the students if there are some things to be clarified especially about the lessons and requirements. You can shoot an email, phone call, or ask him personally. You may email the professor at jhunrose_magic@yahoo.com.ph, or call him: 09771337645

Schedule

         All students should be aware of the schedule for the whole term below in order to follow the assigned activities every class meeting, and make an advance study and do the requirements early. The schedule of the class is subject to change to be announced by the professor.

Date	Topic	Assignment
7/25	Introduction 1: The Background of New Testament	128-478
8/1	Gospel of Matthew 1	Quiz 1;
8/8	Gospel of Matthew 2	(M:8-111) (B:Synoptic Gospels)
8/15	Library Time
8/22	Gospel of Mark	Quiz 2; (M:128-177) (B:Matthew & Mark)
8/29	Gospel of Luke	Quiz 3;
9/5	Gospel of Luke
9/12		Midterm Examination
9/19	Gospel of John	Quiz 4; (M:207-299) (B:Luke)
9/26	Gospel of John	Term Paper
10/3	Acts	Quiz 5; (M:331-356) (B:John)
10/17	Acts	BBM Paper
10/24		Final Examination (M:383-447) (B:Acts)