Required
Texts/Materials:
*
The
Holy
Bible
*
An
Introduction
to
the
New
Testament,
Fr.
Denis
Farkasfalvy
*
Textbook
Supplement
(Study
Questions),
Fr.
Denis
Farkasfalvy
*
Handouts
(to
be
distributed
through
the
course
of
the
semester)
*
Notebook
(for
class
notes)
*
Loose-leaf
paper
(for
turning
in
quizzes/homework)
Major
Themes of the
Course:
General
Introduction/Review
Old
Testament:
I.
Return
from
Babylonian
Exile/Restoration
A
closer
look
at
the messianic
prophecies
of
Jeremiah
and
Second
Isaiah.
Exam 1 – Week of
Sept. 3 - 7
II.
Summary
of
Post-Exilic
Times
An
survey
of
Jewish/Pagan
cultures
and
messianic
expectations
at
the
time
of
Jesus.
Exam
2 – Week of
Sept. 24 - 28
New
Testament:
III.
What
is a
"Gospel"?
A
comparative
study
of
the
Four
Gospel
accounts
and
their
distinctive
emphases/themes
Exam 3 – Week of
Oct. 22 - 26
IV.
Beginning
of
Jesus'
Life
and
Ministry
The
Infancy
Narratives
Jesus'
Baptism
The
Calling
of
his
first
disciples
Exam
4 – Week of
Nov. 12 - 16
V.
The
Preaching
of
Jesus:
Parables
of
the
Kingdom
A
survey
of
Jesus'
use
of
parables
in
his
ministry
and
an
analysis
of
several
key
parables
regarding
the
Kingdom
of
God.
Parable
Project:
Students
will
be
assigned
a
parable
from
the
Gospels
and
are
asked
to
present
a
detailed
parable
analysis
highlighting
their
own
reflections
and
insights.
The
Project
is
intended
to
re-enforce
basic
research
and
writing
skills,
as
well
as
helping
students
develop
a
greater
familiarity
with
the
use
of
concordances,
biblical
commentaries,
and
other
resources
for
gaining
further
insight
into
a
text.
Exam
5 – Week of
Dec. 10 - 14
Review for Semester Exam - Week of Dec. 6 - 10
Independent
Bible Reading
Students are expected to complement material discussed in
class through independent biblical reading.
Through the course of the
Fall Semester students
must read excerpts
(approx.
1
chapter)
from the
Gospel
of
St.
Mark
on a weekly basis.
Students will be quizzed on the assigned
chapter
at
the
beginning
of each
Thursday
class.
Grading
60%
Average of six chapter exams, 1 semester
exam, and Parable Project
Project will be weighed as
two chapter exams)
30%
Average of daily quizzes/homework
(homework includes a weekly reading of the Acts of
the Apostles)
10%
Class Participation
Methodology
The
Bible
itself
is the primary source for the course this semester with
the textbook and class discussions as
merely
means to better understand the New
Testament. Students will be
held responsible for material treated
in the textbook
as well as information
treated in class discussion. Personal
reflection and
outside
of
class
discussions
on the New Testament with classmates and family
is a
fundamental
aim of the course.
Return
to
New
Testament
page