New Testament Introduction

Thomas K. Dailey

3 credit Hours 

New Testament Introduction (NTI) investigates the formation and content of the NT. Formational items are background features that influenced the authors’ composition—the influence from religious, political, and social inputs of life in the first century. Content items focus on the substantive contribution these authors make in light of their uniform view that Jesus is the culmination of God’s work of redemption and the implications of this viewpoint. The course lectures and class exercises are designed to deepen the students comprehensive understanding of the way in which the NT was formed and the impact of its central message. (3 Credits)

The learning outcomes for this class are the following: a) students will investigate and summarize the impact of Jewish, Greek, and Roman contexts on the formation of NT; b) students will analyze the four major genres found in the NT and how they influence how the NT should be read; c) students will compare and contrast three editions of the Greek New Testament in order to gain an awareness of textual criticism [Knowledge of Greek is not required]; and d) Students will also construct an original presentation of NT Theology based on Paul’s letter to Philemon.