Online · School of Divinity · Biblical Studies

New Testament Orientation I

NBST-515

CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

A general introduction to the New Testament Gospels, General Epistles, and Revelation, emphasizing matters of text, canon, authorship, date, authorial purpose, and theme development. Also a special introduction, involving current issues of criticism and interpretation, such as the synoptic problem. The general principles of interpretation (hermeneutics) will be introduced as well as the special principles concerning parables, symbols and types, and prophecy.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

This course will provide the student with an overview of both the background and content of the New Testament. A broad look at the New Testament as well as the historical, cultural, political, and religious context allows the student to see how the specific message of a New Testament document interfaces with the whole.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Describe key features of the historical and cultural context of the New Testament.

B. Describe the major events and themes of Christ’s life and ministry.

C. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical setting, major themes, interpretive issues, and literary genres of the Gospels,

General Epistles, and Revelation.

D. Evaluate the influence of the Old Testament on the theological emphases of the Gospels, General Epistles, and Revelation.

E. Construct an evidence-based research project of a key issue or problem in New Testament studies.

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word

E. A study Bible, such as the NIV Study Bible or NASB Study Bible, is recommended, but not required.

F. Interactive Turabian-Based Writing Guide (https://rise.articulate.com/share/er1g36fWyDNZkE3q1GA6CLbk3rQSmUiQ#/%20)

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 Course Assignments

Bible readings, textbook readings, and presentations. (MLOs: A, B, C, D) Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/student- expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student must participate in 2 Discussions during the course in which the student must post a thread in response to the Discussion’s prompt and then respond to 2 students’ threads or replies. Each Discussion thread must contain at least 400 words; each reply must contain at least 200 words. All sources used, including textbooks and presentations, must be documented in current Turabian format. (CLOs: A, B, C, D.)

Gospel Christology Paper Assignment

The student will be assigned one of the four canonical Gospels and write a paper, not to exceed 15 pages, double-spaced, excluding title page, footnotes, and bibliography, in which the student identifies and traces through the Gospel the primary Christological interpretation of Jesus employed by that Gospel writer; for example, “Jesus as miracle worker;” or “Jesus as Son of God;” or “Jesus as Servant of the LORD;” etc. In the paper, the student must identify the particular stories and passages in the Gospel where this portrayal is emphasized, as well as his or her reasons for thinking so. The student must work chiefly with the text of the assigned Gospel, though secondary sources must also be used, especially academic commentaries on the biblical text, as “conversation partners” with whom to test the student’s hypothesis. The student will be assigned a Gospel on which to work based on the first letter of his or her last name: A-F (Matthew), G-L (Mark), M-R (Luke), S-Z (John). The paper must be in current Turabian format with all sources documented with appropriate footnotes and bibliography. References to the text of the Gospel may be included in the body with parenthetical citations. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E.)

Video Report Assignment

Using a cell phone, tablet, or camera-equipped computer, the student will shoot a 3-minute video of themselves reporting on Jesus of Nazareth for a local television news program and upload the video to complete the assignment. The video should be aimed at a modern audience hearing about Jesus for the first time. The video should include what the student considers to be the irreducible minimum of information the television audience must know about Jesus in order to know who he was. (CLOs: A, B, D.)

Reflective Essay Assignment

The student will review the video submitted in the Video Report Assignment in which they described the Jesus they understood at the time, and then write an essay comparing the Jesus they described in that video to the Jesus they have now come to know through a serious study of the Gospels. Are they the same Jesus? If so, reflect on how the understanding of Jesus described in the Video Report Assignment has been validated by the Jesus encountered in the study of the Gospels this term. If not, reflect on what has changed in student’s understanding of the Jesus they described in the Video Report Assignment. The essay must not exceed 500 words, double-spaced, excluding title page and bibliography. Passages from the Gospels must be documented with parenthetical citations, but all other sources used (if any) must be documented with properly formatted footnotes in current Turabian format. (CLOs: A, B, D.)

Quizzes (4)

The student must take 4 quizzes, each focusing on material from the 2 most recent modules: weeks. Each quiz contains 20 multiple-choice and true/false questions, is open-book/open-notes, and must be completed in 1 hour. (CLOs: A, B, C, D.)

 Course Grading

 Course Requirements Checklist

10

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Discussions (2 at 100 pts ea) 200

Gospel Christology Paper Assignment

200

Video Report Assignment 100

100

Quizzes (4 at 100 pts ea) 400

1010

Reflective Essay Assignment

 Course Policies

Total

Extra Credit

No additional “for credit” assignments will be permitted beyond those given in the course requirements stated above.

Instructor Availability and Feedback

The instructor will answer emails within 36 hours. Additionally, he/she will respond to some but not all Discussion Board posts. Finally, he/she will provide written feedback on the Research Project.

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a

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full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

         Grading Scale

        A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D-

940- 1010

920- 939

900- 919

860- 899

840- 859

820- 839

780- 819

760- 779

740- 759

700- 739

680- 699

F

679 and below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

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 Additional Items

Program Learning Outcomes for NBST 515

NBST 515 supports the following academic programs in the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity: Master of Arts (Biblical Exposition)

Master of Arts (Biblical Studies)

Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

Master of Arts (Theological Studies)

Master of Arts in Religion

Master of Divinity

Master of Divinity in Professional Chaplaincy Master of Religious Education

The program learning outcomes for these programs are listed with the program in the Rawlings School of Divinity Graduate Catalog. This course is related to at least one of the program learning outcomes listed for each of these programs and contributes to your success in acquiring the knowledge and skills that are described. Here is the link to the catalog page where this information can be found:

John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Graduate Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/graduate/colleges-schools/rawlings-divinity/)

 Schedule

  When Topic Notes

   Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

 Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 3 items

 Apply Discussion: Case Study

 Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Apply Quiz: The Study of the New Testament

Read: 1 item Watch: 2 items

    Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Apply Video Report Assignment

Read: 6 items Watch: 2 items

  Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 6 items Watch: 2 items

 Apply Quiz: The Four Gospels

 Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 2 items

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 When Topic Notes

   Apply Reflective Essay Assignment

   Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 3 items Watch: 2 items

    Apply

Discussion: Identifying the Central Issue in a General Epistle Quiz: The Study of the Gospels; Hebrews and James

 Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 7 items Watch: 2 items

 Apply Gospel Christology Paper Assignment

 Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 2 items

  Apply Quiz: The General Epistles and the Book of Revelation

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