Introduction to the New
Testament
Created by Rev. Jerome Neyrey, S.J., a
Notre Dame Theology Professor, the goal of this course is
an adult appreciation and understanding of the New Testament
scripture texts. And we aim to accomplish this by equipping
you with the cultural, literary, and historical understandings
necessary for a critical reading of the New Testament. The
course will introduce participants to the New Testament
through a close reading of five selected texts. During the
five units of this course, participants will read two gospels
(Matthew and Mark), an historical writing on the early church
(Acts of the Apostles) and two letters, one surely from
Paul (Philemon) and the other most likely from a disciple
of Paul's (Ephesians). Five documents, but in three differing
genres: gospel-biography, history, and letter. Each genre
had its own convention and its distinctive literary contents
(e.g. healings, controversies, parables).
Unit 1: Introduction to the Catholic approach
to Scripture and Biblical criticism
- Introduction to Gospels
- The Interpretation of the Bible in
the Church (Pontifical Biblical Commission)
- Dei Verbum (II Vatican Council constitution
on divine revelation)
Unit 2: Gospel of Matthew
Unit 3: Gospel of Mark
Unit 4: Ancient Letters; the Letters of
Paul; Philemon; Ephesians
- Introduction to ancient letters (types
and conventions)
- Philemon
- Ephesians
Unit 5: Acts of the Apostles
- Created by Notre Dame Theology Professor.
- Six weeks in duration, which includes
orientation to online learning.
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- Material delivered by video lecture
(via webstreaming). A CD-ROM of lecture also available
for purchase.
- All lecture text available online in
text format.
- Supplemental readings are provided
to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links
provided for all readings.
- Weekly written assignments (150-200
words) required.
- Weekly facilitator-moderated chat sessions
with students in the course.
All course materials are available in
the course.
Requirements for course include:
- Weekly reading or viewing of lecture
text.
- Participation in class discussion using
Discussions area (minimum 2 comments, questions, or responses
weekly).
- Weekly written assignment (150-200
words).
- Weekly chat session with other students
in course (3 required throughout course).
- Completion of Course Evaluation.
- 4 to 6 hours a week (time varies from
student to student depending on your learning style and
schedule.)
A Certificate of Completion awarding 35
Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all the course
requirements.
This course offers an optional Supplemental
CD. While the video lectures for the course are available
in the course via webstreaming, Supplemental CDs containing
the video lectures can be purchased for viewing the lecture
without being connected to the Internet or for reviewing
the lecture after the course has ended.
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Within New Testament
studies, Rev. Neyrey claims competence in Greco-Roman
philosophy, rhetoric and study of the progymnasmata.
His scholarship includes two books each on Matthew
and Luke and Paul, and a book on John. He authored
the Anchor Bible commentary 2 Peter, Jude.
His research articles have touched on all the gospels,
most of Paul's letters, Hebrews, and topics such as
miracles and prayer. Rev. Neyrey's current research
project is God, In Other Words: Cultural Interpretation
of the Christian Deity. His main scholarly effort
has long been on the use of social science models
and concepts for the interpretation of biblical documents.
This enterprise has been captured in his recent book
on Matthew, Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew,
and the book he co-authored with Bruce Malina on Paul,
Portraits of Paul, An Archaeology of Ancient Personality.
He currently sits on four editorial boards for journals
with a New Testament focus.
B.A., 1963, and M.A., 1964, Saint
Louis University; M.Div., 1970, and M.T.H., 1972,
Regis College, Toronto; Ph.D., 1977, Yale University
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