UoB - Institute of Theology

I. Exegetical Section

 

101 History of New Testament Times

The general history and major features of Hellenistic culture and society, the rise of Rome, the history of its institutions and its relationship with Hellenistic culture. Religions of the Greco-Roman world. The main philosophical trends. The history of Judaism during the Greco-Roman period. The Jews, Hellenistic culture and the Roman state. The socio-economic situation. Jewish groups of the period. The main intellectual, religious and political trends within Judaism. The Jewish institutions. Literature up to the beginning of the second century AD. The main historical sources for the study of the life of Jesus, New Testament events and the primitive Christian Community. The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the Hellenistic and Judaic background of the New Testament.

102 Introduction to the New Testament

The history of traditions in the primitive Church: their formation and development up to their final incorporation in the New Testament writings. The context in which each book was written, its most important theological thesis, its structure, and the way it is integrated within the history of the primitive Church. The main issues raised by modern criticism. The history of the formation and transmission of the Book as a whole. An introduction to the different literary forms and their functions.

103 New Testament Exegesis I

A study of the synoptic tradition through the exegesis of passages chosen in sequence from Matthew and/or Mark. The student is thereby introduced into the methods of redaction by styles and theological approaches proper to each of the two evangelists. A comparison is made between parallel passages as found generally within the synoptic tradition.

104 New Testament Exegesis II

The exegesis of selected passages from the Corpus Paulinum (the apostle Paul and his school), Chosen in sequence to highlight the main theological issues raised in the Corpus as a whole. The course traces the development in perspective resulting from the changing circumstances which necessitated the writing of each epistle. 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Philippians, Philemon, Colossians and Ephesians are within the scope of the course.

105 New Testament Exegesis III

A study of Luke - Acts through the exegesis of selected passages chosen in sequence. The student is exposed to the general approach of the third evangelist and the method he uses. The principal thought lines guiding his composition and redaction, and the basic issues dealt with in the two books.

106 New Testament Exegesis IV

The student is introduced to Johanine literature through the detailed study of the Gospel of John, the Revelation, or the Johanine Epistles. The course also includes a study of the distinctive literary methods, theological approaches and issues raised in the book selected for study, as they are identified through the composition and the use of specific literary signals.

107 History of Civilizations in the Ancient Eastern Mediterranean Region

The history of civilizations in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean region: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Asia Minor, and the Mediterranean basin from the beginning of the Bronze Age to the fourth century B.C., constituting the socio-cultural setting for the rise and formation of the traditions and writings of the Old Testament. Special attention is given to the Canaanite background, which directly influenced these traditions, and the elements which bring into relief the political and religious institutions of the Old Testament, such as kingship, law and mythology.

108 Introduction to the Old Testament

Introduction to the background and history of the Old Testament (including the history of Israel and Judah). The circumstances of the redaction of each book, its principal theses, structure, content and role within the Old Testament, and its function within the intellectual and theological trajectory of the Old Testament towards the New Testament. The main issues raised by modern criticism. The history of the formation and transmission of the Book as a whole. The student is introduced to the dynamics governing the rise and development of traditions, and to the various literary forms and their functions.

109 The Institutions of the Old Testament

A presentation of the political and religious institutions of the Old Testament and their historical development, in the light of a critical analysis of the relevant passages in the Old Testament. Special attention is given to the family, social institutions, the concept of statehood and kingship and their significance in ancient Israel, sacrifices, priesthood, sanctuaries, the feasts and the temple as regards their function within the life of the community, in the context of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean and its mind set.

110 Old Testament Exegesis I

A study of the constituent traditions of Pentateuch and the Historical Books and the methods used in their composition and redaction, in light of what is known about the literature and the literary forms of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean. It also includes a presentation of the main theses of the books and the approaches followed (Creation, Exodus, Torah, Covenant). The work of the Deuteronomic school on the Historical Books, as regards the positions it takes vis-à-vis the kingship and the prophetic movement, is also explored.

111 Old Testament Exegesis II

A study of the prophetic movement in ancient Israel and Judah from Amos up to the post-exilic prophets. Passages from these books shedding light on the development brought about by the prophetic word regarding basic concepts in ancient Israel are presented and analyzed in detail. The course also focuses on the distinctive features in the teaching of each prophet on important issues such as kingship, the temple, the word of God, the prophetic call, the freedom of Yahweh, the Torah and judgment. Special emphasis is put on the book of Amos.

112 Old Testament Exegesis III

The student is introduced to the characteristics of certain groups of Psalms, such as the messianic, historical, and those that are centered on kingship of Yahweh. Basic issues such as the concept of kingship and the relationship between history and liturgy are dealt with. Questions arising from the study of wisdom literature are also discussed, including those of the meaning and scope of wisdom, as well as the functional role of this group of books as a part of the Old Testament and as a preparation for the New Testament.

113 Hebrew I

The basic grammatical rules of Biblical Hebrew, in preparation for the reading and translation of the texts of the Old Testament. Special attention is given to the conjugation of verbs and the analysis of their forms.

114 Hebrew II

The translation of selected passages from the Old Testament, starting with narrative passages up to prophetic and poetic passages from the prophetic books, the wisdom books and the Psalms. Upon completion of this course, the student is expected to translate and study passages from the Old Testament using the dictionary, and discerning their linguistic particularities.

115 Greek I

An introduction to the basic rules of grammar and syntax of New Testament Greek. The student is initiated into vocabulary and verbal roots of this language, and is helped to acquire a basic knowledge of its phonetic rules and grammatical structures.

116 Greek II

The student completes his knowledge of the basic rules of grammar and syntax of New Testament Greek, while learning systematically the verbs and their roots. Upon the completion of this course the student can, with the help of a dictionary, begin reading texts from the New Testament.

117 Greek III

Analytic reading and translation of selected texts from the New Testament. The student is trained to use basic linguistic tools. A systematic study of New Testament vocabulary is begun. The course begins with texts from the Gospel of Mark and gradually moves on to more difficult gospel texts, comparing linguistically parallel texts.

118 Greek IV

Continuation of the training begun in New Testament Greek 3. The reading of more difficult passages in the New Testament, chosen from the Pauline Corpus and the book of Acts or other texts of comparable difficulty. Upon completion of this course the student should be able, on his own, to translate texts from the New Testament using the linguistic tools available and discern differences of style and the linguistic particularities of the authors.

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