Year
2021
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 3-hour seminar weekly
Enrolment not permitted
THEO8204 has been successfully completed
Assessment
Assignments; Oral presentation; Class participation; Take home exam.
Topic description

Through this topic students will come to understand, appreciate, and interpret the writings of the New Testament, by understanding the New Testament writings in their historical, cultural and social contexts; and appreciating these writings as literature. The cultural contexts and communities that shaped these writings will be explored, in order to arrive at a critical interpretation of the New Testament.

Educational aims

This topic aims to give students the opportunity to:

  • Read the major writings of the New Testament
  • Develop an understanding of the major types of critical study of the scriptures
  • Develop skills in the study of the scriptures
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

  1. Identify the historical, social and cultural contexts of the New Testament writings and their communities
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of the content, historical and geographical setting, literary forms and the leading theological themes of the New Testament
  3. Recognise the New Testament as literature and the appropriateness of using various interpretive methodologies
  4. Explore ways of identifying the relevance of New Testament texts for today
  5. Consider the meaning and significance of the New Testament for contemporary readers