Introduction to the New Testament (2012 Boccaccini), course
Introduction to the New Testament is a course offered by Gabriele Boccaccini at the University of Michigan in the Winter 2012.
Description
The course offers an Introduction to the Early Christian Literature and the development of the Early Christian movement from the death of Jesus of Nazareth until the mid-2nd Century.
The approach is historical and chronological and no distinction is made between "canonical" and non-canonical" literature. The New Testament documents are studied alongside with the writings of the Apostolic Father and the New Testament Apocrypha, The development of the early Church is illustrated in the diversity of its components.
Christianity is presented originally as a Jewish messianic movement which grew up out of the diverse world of Second Temple Judaism to gradually parting, after the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70, from the other major Jewish movements of the time--Hellenistic Judaism and the nascent Rabbinic movement.
Syllabus
(1.1) Wed Jan 5, 2011 – General Introduction Presentation of the course
Part 1 – From Jewish Messianism to Early Christology
(1.2) Fri Jan 7, 2011 – What is the New Testament? Do We Have the Original New Testament? Text-Book: “What Is the New Testament” (ch 1 pp 1-17); and “Do We Have the Original New Testament” (ch 29 pp 479-489)
(2.3) Mon Jan 10, 2011 – The Founder of Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth Documentary: “From Jesus to Christ” (I) [Frontline, PBS 1998] Text-Book: “The Historical Jesus: Sources, Problems, and Methods” (ch 13 pp 210-224)
(3.4) Wed Jan 12, 2011 – The Development of Early Christology The Faith of the New Testament: Jesus the divine Messiah, the divine Son of God. The starting point: Jewish messianic expectations. The messiahs of the Ancient Jewish traditions Text-Book: “Judaism as a Greco-Roman Religion” (ch 2 pp 35-45); and “Jesus in Context” (ch 15 pp 231-249)
(4.5) Fri Jan 14, 2011 – Judaisms and their Messiahs (I): the Human Messiah The Messiah of the Pharisees and Zealots: the Son of David The Two Messiahs of the Essenes: the Son of Aaron and the Son of Judah Readings: The Psalms of Solomon
[ Mon Jan 17, 2011 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no class) ]
(5.6) Wed Jan 19, 2011 – Judaisms and their Messiahs (II): The Heavenly Messiah The Messiah of the Enochians: the Son of Man and the heavenly Melkisedek Readings: The Parables of Enoch
(6.7) Fri Jan 21, 2011 – The Gospel of Mark (I): Jesus, the Teacher, the Apocalyptic Prophet like John the Baptist Source-Book: The Gospel of Mark -- Text-Book: “The Gospel According to Mark” (ch 5 pp 67-82)
(7.8) Mon Jan 24, 2011 – The Gospel of Mark (II) Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Man The Apocalyptic Messiah and the Eschatological Judge Source-Book: The Gospel of Mark -- Text-Book: “Jesus, the Apocalyptic Prophet” (ch 16 pp 250-274)
Part 2 – The Jesus Movement as a Jewish Messianic Sect; or, From the Death of Jesus to the Destruction of the Jerusalem (30-70 CE)
(1 [9]) Wed Jan 26, 2011 – After the Death of Jesus Documentary: “From Jesus to Christ” (II) [Frontline, PBS 1998] The Traditions of Jesus in Their Greco-Roman Context Text-Book: “The World of Early Christian Traditions” (ch 2 pp 18-35); and “The Traditions of Jesus in Their Greco-Roman Context” (ch 3 pp 48-60).
(2 [10]) Fri Jan 28, 2011 – The Beginnings of the Christian Community at Jerusalem Acts of Apostles (1:1-8:40; and 9:31-12:24) The First Leaders: The family and the Disciples; James, Peter, and John. Christianity as a Jewish Messianic Movement The conversion of Gentiles Source-Book: Acts of Apostles – Text-Book: “The Acts of the Apostles” (ch 9 pp 132-153)
[Jan 31 - Feb 4, 2011: First Mid-Term (in your discussion session) ]
(3 [11]) Mon Jan 31, 2011 – Paul the Apostle: The Man and His Mission The Challenges of the Hellenistic Environment From Jerusalem to Asia Minor and Greece (Acts of Apostles 9, and 13-19) Source- Book: Acts of Apostles – Text-Book: “Paul the Apostle” (ch 18 pp 285-301)
(5 [12]) Wed Feb 2, 2011 – Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians Christ’s Second Coming Source- Book: 1 Thessalonians -- Text-Book: “1 Thessalonians” (ch 19 pp 302-315)
(6 [13]) Fri Feb 4, 2011 – Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians A Crisis in the Church. Moral Teachings Source-Book: 1 Corinthians -- Text-Book: “1 Corinthians” (ch 20 pp 316-326)
(7 [14]) Mon Feb 7, 2011 – Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians Source-Book: 2 Corinthians -- Text-Book: “2 Corinthians” (ch 20 pp 326-331)
(8 [15]) Wed Feb 9, 2011 – Paul’s Letter to the Galatians Christ and the Jewish Law Source-Book: Galatians -- Text-Book: “Galatians” (ch 20 pp 331-340)
(9 [16]) Fri Feb 11, 2011 – Paul’s Letter to the Romans (I) Salvation by Faith Source-Book: Romans -- Text-Book: “The Gospel According to Paul” (ch. 21 pp 348-361)
(10 [17]) Mon Feb 14, 2011 – Paul’s Letter to the Romans (II) The Role of Jews and Judaism Source-Book: Romans -- Text-Book: “The Gospel According to Paul” (ch. 21 pp 348-361)
(11 [18]) Wed Feb 16, 2011 – The Letter of James Salvation by Works, not by Faith only Source-Book: Letter of James -- Text-Book: “The Epistle of James” (ch 27 pp 446-447); and “Paul and James” (ch 22 pp 367-368)
(12 [19]) Fri Feb 18, 2011 – The First Letter of Peter The Role of Mediation of the Head of the Twelve Source-Book: 1 Peter -- Text-Book: “The Letter of 1 Peter” (ch 26 pp 431-436)
(4 [20]) Mon Feb 21, 2011 – Paul’s Last Journey From Jerusalem to Rome (Acts 19:21—28:31) Source-Book: Acts of Apostles
(13 [21]) Wed Feb 23, 2011 – Paul’s Letters to the Philippians and to Philemon Letters from Prison Jesus, the Obedient Adam. The Problem of Slavery Source-Book: Philippians, Philemon -- Text-Book: “Philippians, Philemon” (ch 20 pp 340-347)
Part 3 – Solving the Christological Problem; or,
From the Destruction of the Temple to the End of the First Century (70-100 CE)
(1 [22]) Fri Feb 25, 2011: After the Destruction of the Jerusalem Temple Documentary: “From Jesus to Christ” (III) [Frontline, PBS 1998]
[ Feb 28 - Mar 4, 2011 – Winter Recess, No classes ]
(2 [23]) Mon Mar 7, 2011: The Death of the Leaders The Partings of the Ways between Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism Text-Book: “Popular Modes of Resistance to Oppression” (ch 15 pp 241-244)
[ (24) Wed Mar 9, 2011 – 2nd Midterm (in lecture class)]
(3 [25]) Fri Mar 11, 2011 – The Gospel of Matthew The Jewish Messiah: Jesus, the Son of Man, the son of David, the new Moses. Source-Book: Gospel of Matthew -- Text-Book: “The Gospel According to Matthew” (ch 7 pp 92-111)
(4 [26]) Mon Mar 14, 2011 – The Gospel of Luke Jesus, the Savior of the World: the Son of Man, the Son of David, the World Savior) Source-Book: Gospel of Luke -- Text-Book: “[The Gospel According to Luke” (ch 8 pp 112- 129)
(5 [27]) Wed Mar 16, 2011 – The Letter to the Hebrews The Son of Man is Far Above the Angels Source-Book: Hebrews -- Text-Book: “The Epistle to the Hebrews” (ch 25 pp 408-418)
(7 [28]) Fri Mar 18, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of Paul 2 Thessalonians – Colossians – Ephesians The Delay of the End and the Divinity of the Son The Deutero-Pauline Epistles (2 Thessalonians; Colossians; Ephesians) Source-Book: 2 Thessalonians; Colossians; Ephesians -- Text-Book: “In the Wake of the Apostle” (ch 23 pp 372-385)
(6 [29]) Mon Mar 21, 2011 – The Letter of Barnabas An Anti-Jewish Christianity? The Theology of Supersession The Rise of Christian Anti-Seminitism Source-Book: Barnabas -- Text-Book: “The Epistle of Barnabas and Melito’s Passover Sermon” (ch 25 pp 418-425)
(8 [30]) Wed Mar 23, 2011 – The Gospel of Thomas A non-Jewish Christianity? The Challenge of Gnosticism Source-Book: Gospel of Thomas -- Text-Book: “The Gospel of Thomas” (ch 12 pp 201-207)
(9 [31]) Fri Mar 25, 2011 – The Gospel of John (I) The Divinity of the Christ-Logos Source-Book: Gospel of John -- Text-Book: “The Gospel According to John” (ch 10 pp 154-175)
(10 [32]) Mon Mar 28, 2011 – The Gospel of John (II) The role of the Holy Spirit in a Charismatic community Source-Book: Gospel of John -- Text-Book: “The Gospel According to John” (ch 10 pp 154-175)
Part 4 – Structuring the Church; or The Early Second Century (100-150 CE)
(1 [33]) Wed Mar 30, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of John (I) 1, 2 &3 John, and the Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation Source-Book: 1, 2, & 3 John; and Revelation (chs 1-3) -- Text-Book: “The Johannine Epistles’ and Beyond” (ch 11 pp 176-194 )
([ Mar 30 – Apr 4, 2011 – Deadline for the written paper ]
(2 [34]) Fri Apr 1, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of John (II) The Apocalyptic message of the Book of Revelation Source- Book: Revelation (chs 4-22) -- Text-Book: “The Revelation of John” (ch. 28, pp 461-474)
3 [35]) Mon Apr 4, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of James (I) The Letter of Jude – The Didache Source-Book: Jude -- Text-Book: “Jude” (ch 27 pp 455-456) Source-Book: Didache -- Text-Book: “The Didache” (ch 27 pp 447-450)
(4 [36]) Wed Apr 6, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of James (II) The Jewish-Christian Gospels (Nazareans; Ebionites, Hebrews) - The Shepherd of Hermas Source-Book: Jewish-Christian Gospels; and the Shepherd of Hermas – Text-Book: “The Jewish-Christian Gospels” (ch 12 pp 196-97); and “The Shepherd of Hermas” (ch 28 pp 474-476)
[ Fri Apr 8, 2011 – No class ]
(5 [37]) Mon Apr 11, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of Peter The Second Letter of Peter – The Gospel of Peter – The Apocalypse of Peter Source-Book: 2 Peter; the Gospel of Peter; and the Apocalypse of Peter -- Text-Book: “2 Peter” (ch 27 pp 456-458); “The Gospel of Peter” (ch 12 pp 199-201); and “The Apocalypse of Peter” (ch 28 pp 476-477)
(6 [38]) Wed Apr 13, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of Paul (I) The Persecution of the Early Christians - The Authority of the Bishop in the Church The Seven Letters of Ignatius (Ephesians; Magnesians; Trallians; Romans; Philadelphias; Smyrneans; Polycarp) – The Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians – The Martyrdom of Polycarp; The Epistle of Clement -- Source-Book: Letter of Ignatius; Letter of Polycarp; Martyrdom of Polycarp; 1 Clement; -- Text-Book: ‘Christians and Pagans” (ch 26 pp 426-431, 436-442); “Polycarp’s Letter” (ch 27 pp 450-453); and “1 Clement” (ch 27 pp 453-455)
(7 [39]) Fri Apr 15, 2011 – Continuing the Tradition of Paul (II) Strengthening the Authority of the Bishop - Downplaying the Role of Women The Pastoral Epistles of Paul: 1 & 2 Timothy (NT), Titus (NT) Source-Book: 1& 2 Timothy; Titus; The Acts of Paul and Thecla -- Text-Book: “The Pastoral Epistles” (ch 23 pp. 385-393); “Paul and Thecla” (ch 22 pp 368-370); and “The Oppression of Women” (ch 24 pp 395-407)
(8 [40]) Mon Apr 18, 2011 – After the New Testament. Summary and Conclusion
[ Date TBA - Final Exam (in lecture hall) ]
Grading System and Requirements
[Read this section of the syllabus very carefully. The syllabus is like a contract between the student and the instructors, which we are all bound to respect.]
ATTENDANCE: The course is based on lectures, weekly discussion session, three written exams, and one (or two) papers. Regular attendance is mandatory. If you happen to miss a session, it is your responsibility to ask the Professor or the GSI or a class-mate for information about what was discussed in class. Students whose attendance is poor (that is, have missed 15-25% of either lectures or discussion sessions without justification) will see their final grade reduced of half point. Students who do not attend the class regularly (that is, have missed more than 25% of either lectures or discussion sessions without justification), or do not fulfill each and all the requirements of the course, will not be graded and will receive a NR report.
GRADING SYSTEM: The final grade is based on five elements (of which the last one is optional): (a) Participation: 10% -- (b) First Midterm: 10% -- (c) Second Midterm: 20% -- (d) Paper 20% – (e) Final exam: 40% -- (f) Short paper (optional): possible increase
(a) Quality of participation in class and discussion sessions makes 10% of the final grade. The evaluation will be made conjunctly by the Professor and the GSIs on the basis of the student’s attention, comments, questions, commitment for an enjoyable environment, etc., as follows: Outstanding (100%) / Very good (95%) / Good (90%) / Average (85%) / Poor (80%) / Very poor (75%) / Insufficient (70% or less)
(b-c) The two mid-term exams are a series of multiple-choice questions from the lectures and the textbooks. The results of the test will be discussed in class and in the discussion sessions. The grade is determined proportionally to the amount of questions correctly answered (unanswered questions are counted as incorrect), as follows:
- A+ (100%-98%) / A (97%-91%) / A- (90%-88%)
- B+ (87%-85%) / B (84%-79%) / B- (78%-77%)
- C+ (76%-75%) / C (74%-70%) / C- (69%-68%)
- D+ (67%-66%) / D (65%-62%) / D- (61%-60%)
- F (59% or less)
The first midterm exams (10% of the final grade) is a series of 50 questions about the contents of the first part of the course. It is aimed to be a sort of preparation to the more important second mid-term and final exams. No re-taking will be allowed, and no curve will be granted, under any circumstance. If your grade is F, you must submit a written petition (by e-mail) to the Professor and receive written permission (by e-mail) to continue the class, provided that your attendance is good. If you need or want to improve your grade, just followed the instructions below (f).
The second midterm exam (20% of the final grade) is a series of 100 questions (80 new questions about the contents of the second part of the course, plus 20 questions from the first midterm). No re-taking will be allowed, and no curve will be granted, under any circumstance. If your grade is F, you must submit a written petition (by e-mail) to your GSI and receive written permission (by e-mail) to continue the class, provided that your attendance is good. If you need or want to improve your grade, just followed the instructions below (f).
(d) As a written assignment (20% of your final grade), you have to pick up a novel or play focusing on Paul of Tarsus or any of Apostles in the period after the death of Jesus (your choice must be pre-approved by your GSI) and write (by Apr 5, 2012) a (400-500 word) synopsis of its content, and a 1 or 2 page commentary on the use that novel or play made of NT sources and on the interpretation given to the events,
A+ = 99% A = 96% A- = 90% B+ = 87% B = 83% B- = 78% C+ = 76% C = 73% C- = 69% D+ = 67% C = 64% C- = 61%
The best summaries will be posted online in “4 Enoch: The Online Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism” <www.4enoch.org> under your name.
(e) The final exam (40% of the final grade) is a series of 150 multiple-choice questions aimed at a general review of the entire course: 100 new questions about the contents of all three parts of the course (but with special emphasis on the third and last part), plus 50 questions from the first two exams (15+35, respectively). The grading system will follow the same criteria as the midterm exams.
(f) [Optional] The Instructor’s goal is to help the deserving students, who may have some initial difficulties, to improve their grade. You may choose to write (any time but not before Feb 7 or after Apr 1, 2011) one additional paper on a novel or play on one of the NT characters, who lived after Jesus (your choice must be approved by the GSI). Depending on the grade of your essay(s), you will have an increase of 8 (A), 6 (B), 4 (C), or 2 (D), or 0 (F) points the grade of your first exam.
VERY IMPORTANT !! If you have any questions or something goes wrong, or you realize that your attendance is going to be poor or insufficient, please do not wait until the very last moment to express yourself. I will be always available to talk to you immediately after class or during my office hours or, if necessary, scheduling a meeting at a different time. We can find together a solution to (almost) every problem. But, please, don’t ask the impossible when there is no more time.
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, NEVER BLAME OTHERS. BLAME NO ONE BUT YOURSELF.
IF YOU ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, YOU ARE IN THE POSITION TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
WHATEVER OTHER PEOPLE’S FAILINGS MIGHT BE, YOU ARE THE ONE TO SHOULDER RESPONSIBILITY.
THERE ARE NO EXCUSES.
REMAIN FOCUSED: YOUR GOAL IS TO LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN: ALL THE REST IS REALLY NOT IMPORTANT
!! BE SMART AND RESPONSIBLE: ENJOY THE CLASS !!