INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL FAITH
REL 2000 02
Fall 2010 Michael D. Jackson, D. Min.
MWF 1:00-1:50 Office: McClurkan 200B
McClurkan 108 Phone: 248-1732 (o), 904-477-3286 (c)
Email:
OUR MISSION
Within the life and thought of the Trevecca Community, the Millard Reed School of Religion provides occasion for reflection upon the foundations, formation, and the Wesleyan vision of the historic Christian faith for living a reflective life of Christian service within the Church and society.
PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic content of the divine-human drama as it is expressed in the pages of the Christian Bible, “the great story and plot of all time and space” (Wilder, The Language of the Gospel, 64-5) and to actively engage the student in lifelong interaction with the Bible so that the story of God becomes the context within which the student discovers her/himself as a character.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student should be enabled to:
(1) Carry on an informed dialogue with the Bible, knowing how to ask questions of the Bible and how to hear the Bible’s response.
(2) Describe the movement of the biblical-theological story as it moves from the general picture of humanity to the specific people of Israel to the person of Christ to the church.
(3) Have a working knowledge of a study Bible.
(4) Describe how the Bible came into being up to contemporary translations.
(5) Describe how the Bible’s origins affect its ongoing, dynamic use in contemporary life.
(6) Identify the literary structure and the main story line of the Older Testament.
(7) Identify the books of the Older Testament by genre.
(8) Identify the basic thrust of each major section of the Older Testament.
(9) Identify the main characters of the Older Testament and their role in the story.
(10) Describe the historical context of the major sections of the Older Testament and the period between the testaments.
(11) Chronologically order the main events and persons of the Older Testament.
(12) Identify the central role of Jesus Christ within the Christian Bible as the fulfillment of Old Testament hope and the heart of New Testament proclamation.
(13) Identify the literary structure and the main story line of the New Testament.
(14) Identify the genre and basic thrust of each New Testament book.
(15) Summarize the significant life events of Jesus and Paul.
(16) Identify the significant elements of the message of Jesus and Paul.
(17) Describe the impact of the historical background of the New Testament on the message of Jesus and Paul.
(18) Chronologically order the significant events and persons of the New Testament.
(19) Understand the student’s life journey as well as contemporary situations in light of the biblical faith.
(20) Engage in a method of Bible study in which God, “’the Great Dramatist,’ is apt to lure us from the spectator’s balcony and put us into the act” (B. Anderson, The Unfolding Drama of the Bible, 17).
TEXTBOOKS
The New Interpreter’s Study Bible. New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. Nashville: Abingdon Press.
Discovering the Bible. Various authors. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
As a relationship of dialogue within the class and between the instructor and each student is of the highest significance in the teaching-learning moment, the following requirements have been established in order to enable such a dialogue to occur. Thus, each requirement must be satisfactorily completed in order for the student to receive credit for the course.
(1) Text Reading. The student should complete all readings of the biblical text and assignments in the textbook. Reading in the textbook and study sections of the Study Bible will be assigned daily in preparation for the next class session.
Reading quizzes will be given on the following dates: Sept 10 , 24; Oct 1, 15, 22, 29; Nov 5, 12, 19; Dec 3, 10. Each of the 11 quizzes will be worth 30 points. The lowest quiz grade (excluding unexcused absences) will not be counted. Total: 300 points.
(2) Exams. Six times during the semester (see dates in course outline), written unit examinations will be given. Two of these will be mini-exams (15 September, 25 October) with fewer possible points. The exams will incorporate material from class discussions, textbook readings, and Bible readings. The exams will be both objective and essay in nature. Mini-exams will be worth 50 points and exams worth 100 points. Total 50 0 points.
(3) Story of God e-Portfolio. Throughout the semester, the student will be given five projects to coincide with the Bible reading or related materials. See the Handout: The Story We Find Ourselves In. As each project is completed, the student should email the assignment to the professor () no later than exam day (see dates in course outline; no portfolio due on 2 5 October). Each assignment will be worth 40 points. There will be a deduction of five points per day for all late work. Total: 200 points.
(4) Extra Credit. Read one of the following: The Chronicles of Narnia (there are 7 to choose from), The Street Lawyer or The Testament by John Grisham. Which character(s) do you most identify with in the story and why? How did reading this story impact you? Why are stories such powerful vehicles of communication? Two pages max. Total: 100 points.
COURSE POLICIES
EVALUATION: The final grade will be distributed according to the following schedule based upon the total percentage of all possible points:
A+ 99-100% B+ 88-89% C+ 78-79% D+ 68-69%
A 93-98% B 83-87% C 73-78% D 63-67%
A- 90-92% B- 80-82% C- 70-72% D- 60-62% F Below 60%
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES: Trevecca Nazarene University provides disability support services. Individuals seeking accommodations for any type of disability are encouraged to contact the coordinator of student disability, Amy Murphy at , 248-1463. To receive accommodations, the student must register with Disability Services located on the top floor of the Center for Leadership, Calling, and Service (CLCS) building, room 212.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES: No electronic devices will be allowed during class time (including laptop computers, cellular devices, iPods, etc.) The professor will post an outline of class notes (and Power Point presentations) on line by the end of the following day of class. You will want to supplement these electronic notes with the written notes you take in class.
ATTENDANCE , TARDINESS, AND CLASS PARTICIPATION: In this brief journey, class attendance is a necessity. Excessive absences will have a direct effect upon the final grade. Following the third unexcused absence, each subsequent unexcused absence will result in the deduction of five points from the final grade. In accordance with school policy, no credit is given to the student who misses in excess of nine class days (excused or unexcused). Examinations missed can be made up only in the case of absence due to illness or severe emergency situations, and the instructor must be notified in advance of that absence in order for the exam to be made up. No exams will be made up without such prior notice. Three late arrivals will be considered as one absence. Participation in class is vital to the learning process. Each student is strongly encouraged to raise appropriate questions and make significant observations.
PROPOSED COURSE OUTLINE
Introduction to the Course: September 1
Backgrounds
What is the Bible? From where did it come? Why do we have it?
September 3, 6, 8, 10, 13
Textbook Readings : pp. 19-48
Overview: In our opening unit, we will explore together the dynamic process which led to the Bible as we now have it and discover how this dynamic process directly affects the way in which the Bible functions for our lives today. We will explore such concepts as revelation, authority, inspiration, canon, and translation.
Wednesday, 1 5 September : Mini-exam (50 points) —first portfolio material due
THE TORAH—THE CALL
What is humanity according to the biblical faith? What is its enduring dilemma?
How does God creatively work with that dilemma? How does God call a group of people to work in that dilemma?
September 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, October 1, 4, 6
Textbook Readings : pp. 51-101
Bible Readings: Genesis 1-11 Genesis 12-13, 15-17, 22
Genesis 25:19-34; 27-33 Exodus 1-5; 11-15
Exodus 20-23 Exodus 32-34; Numbers 11-14
Deuteronomy 6-9
Overview: In this unit, we will discover the way in which the book of Genesis provides the universal backdrop of the biblical story and faith. As we focus upon Genesis 1-11, we will explore the stories of God’s creative work of order (Gen. 1-2) and the manner in which that order is disrupted by humanity (Gen. 3-11). Upon conclusion of this unit, we will introduce the call of Israel in relationship to the human dilemma. We will particularly explore the rudimentary concepts of creation, image of God, human sin, and the Fall. W e will explore the manner in which God calls a unique people to be “the people of Yahweh.” We will particularly examine the way in which the identity of this community was shaped around promise, deliverance, provision, and covenant. Together, we will discuss such concepts as promise, the divine name, exodus, covenant, and law.
Friday, October 8 --Exam (100 points) ; second portfolio material due
THE PROPHETS—OUR RESPONSE TO THE CALL
What is the ongoing dilemma of Israel and how does it relate to the enduring dilemma of humanity?
October 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29, Nov 1, 3
Part One: The Prophetic Story
October 13, 15, 18, 20, 22
Textbook Reading: pp. 105-144
Bible Readings: Joshua 1-8, 24 Judges 2-3; 6-9
1 Samuel 1-16 2 Samuel 5-7, 11-13
1 Kings 3-5; 10-11 1 Kings 17-19
Overview: In this unit, we will explore Israel’s enduring dilemma of infidelity throughout its h istory with Yahweh. We will do this by looking at the deuteronomistic story of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. We will explore such key concepts as baalism and kingship.
Monday , October 2 5 : Mini-exam (50 points) ; no portfolio material due (submit on Nov 9)
Part Two: The Prophetic Messages
October 27, 29, Nov 1, 3, 5
Textbook Reading: pp. 191-227
Bible Readings: Amos 2-5 Hosea 1-3
Micah 1-3 Isaiah 1, 5-6
Jeremiah 1-2, 7
Overview: In this subunit, we will explore the manner in which spokespersons called prophets repeatedly attempted to call the people of the LORD back to fidelity and the manner in which the prophets viewed exile as an answer to the dilemma. We will explore particularly the concepts of justice, prophecy, and exile.
Monday, November 8: NO CLASS TODAY, Tom Long Preaching Conference
Wednes day , November 10 : Quiz (50 points) ; third portfolio material due
THE WRITINGS AND THE GOSPELS—HOPING FOR GOD’S KINGDOM
How do we try to discover our identity after Exile? Who was this man called Jesus ? What did he do? How does he relate to the enduring dilemma of humanity?
November 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 29
Textbook Reading : pp. 145- 186; 243-250; 253-313
Bible Readings : Haggai 1-2 4 Maccabees 5-6, 8-14
Malachi 1-4 Matthew 5-7
Ezra 7, 9; Nehemiah 8-9 Mark 8-16
Daniel 1-6 Mark 1, Matthew 1-3,
1 Maccabees 1-2; 4 Luke 1-5, John 1-3
Overview: After briefly exploring the situation following the exile and the manner in which the people of God attempted to “recover” their identity, we will examine the manner in which the Kingdom of God was announced to be arriving in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We will examine the key concepts of Judaism, Hellenism, Apocalyptic, the Kingdom of God , and the Synoptic Gospels.
Wednesday, December 1 : Exam (100 points) ; fourth portfolio material due
LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES—LIVING OUT THE KINGDOM
What is the church, how is it related to Jesus, and what does it do? How do the problems that it faces relate to the enduring dilemma of humanity?
December 3, 6, 8, 10, 13
Textbook Readings : 315-365; 399-418; 429-437
Bible Readings: Acts 1-10 Romans 1-8, 12
1 Corinthians 1-3, 12-15 Philippians
Hebrews 11-13 James
Revelation 1-6
In our closing section, we will explore the community that was established by Jesus to carry out his task of announcing the coming of the Kingdom. We will particularly examine such matters as the identity of the Church, the work that it was commissioned to carry out, life within the community of faith, and difficulties faced by the early Church.
Final Exam (100 points) : Wedne sd ay, December 1 5 (12:00 —note time change! ) ; fifth and final portfolio material due
Overview of Exam Dates
Wednesday, September 1 5 ( Mini-Exam )
Friday, October 8 (Exam)
Monday, October 2 5 ( Mini-Exam )
Monday, November 8 ( Exam )
Wednesday, December 1 (Exam)
F in al Exam: Wednesday, December 1 5 (12:00-2:00 )
Official TNU Policy: NO EARLY EXAMS – NO EXCEPTIONS. It is the student’s responsibility to make travel arrangements accordingly.
PLEASE NOTE: Assignments may be adjusted at the professor’s discretion.