RUTGERS UNIVERSITY 
RELIGION
DEPARTMENT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY RELIGION
DEPARTMENT
840:202 New Testament
Syllabus
TEXTS
Harris, S.L. The New Testament: a Student's Introduction. 4th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2001.
The Bible in a recent English translation (e.g. NRSV, NAB, NEB, JB, NIB, TEV).
Synopsis of Mark 3:31-4:30 & Parallels (distributed in class at cost $1.00)
On-line Resources
Smith, M.H., ed. Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus
Smith, M.H., ed. A Synoptic Gospels Primer: Parallel Texts in Matthew, Mark & Luke
Other On-line Resource
From Jesus to Christ: the First Christians (PBS Frontline, 1998) surveys current scholarship on early Christianity.
COURSE OUTLINE
| Week | Topic | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| I | Historical
context: Jews & Gentiles |
Harris 36-93 IHO 1-100 Portrait of Jesus' World (PBS) |
| II | Jesus'
teaching: parable & aphorism |
Harris 1-35, 95-117 Synopsis IHO 261-267, 295-304 Story of the Storytellers (PBS) |
| III | Mark:
the secret of the gospel |
Harris 118-146 Mark 1-13, 16 IHO 89-92, 105-107, 154-165, 268-277, 248-251 |
| IV | Matthew: the scripture fulfilled |
Harris 147-177 Matt 1-7, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 28 IHO 95-104, 120-126, 192, 256-260, 265-267 |
| V | Luke:
the proclaimer of peace |
Harris 178-207 Luke 1-4, 6-7, 10, 14-17, 19, 24 IHO 56-61, 127-135, 221-226 |
| VI | John: Word and signs |
Harris 208-236 John 1-4, 8, 10, 14-17, 20-21 IHO 147, 198-215, 285-307 |
| VII | Midterm | |
| VIII | History: Jesus' deeds and death |
Harris
237-276 Mark 6, 8, 14-15 Matt 4, 27 Luke 7, 23 John 6, 11, 18-20 Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Hosea 6 Exodus 16 1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 4 IHO 21-44, 111-119, 169-194 Jesus' Many Faces (PBS) |
| IX | Acts: mission & opposition |
Harris
277-301 Acts 1-2, 5-12, 15, 17, 21, 27-28 IHO 76-85, 233-243, 189-194 The First Christians (PBS) |
| X | Paul:
authority & insights |
Harris
303-336 1 Thess 1-2, 4 Galatians 1-3, 5 1 Corinth 1-2, 9-13, 15 2 Corinth 3, 5-6, 11-12 |
| XI | Romans:
the mystery of grace |
Harris
336-346 Romans 1-15 Genesis 15 |
| XII | Prison
letters: imitation of Christ |
Harris
347-365 Philippians 1-3 Philemon Colossians 1-4 Ephesians 1-6 |
| XIII | After
Paul: the test of faith |
Harris
366-388 1 Timothy 1-4 1 Peter 1-3 James 1-4 Hebrews 1-2, 5-12 |
| XIV | John's
circle: the Spirit's witness |
Harris
338-419 Revelation 1-6, 8, 12, 19-20 1 John 1-4 IHO 268-284 |
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This page was revised 01 November 2002