Course Description

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

In order to grasp the message of the New Testament, it is imperative to understand the world in which it was written. By examining the historical-cultural context of the first century, including Judaic and Greco-Roman influences, students will be better equipped to interpret, communicate, and live out the teachings of the New Testament.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe key events and religious developments among the Jews between the Old and New Testaments.
2. Articulate the key issues of the Greco-Roman and Judaic cultures that affected the New Testament.
3. Identify basic geographical and topological features of the lands mentioned in the New Testament.
4. Apply personal research to a significant issue touching New Testament backgrounds.

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings and Presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus at Liberty University, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussion is a collaborative learning experience. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompts. Each thread must be a minimum of 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to a minimum of two other classmates’ threads, even though more replies are encouraged. For each reply, you must also completely address the areas noted in the prompt and seek to provide helpful commentary and reflections on your classmates’ posts. Each reply must be a minimum of 200 words. (MLOs: A, B, D)

Book Review Assignment

You will submit a 900-1,500-word review of Hellerman’s When the Church Was a Family. This assignment is an opportunity to review the major themes and arguments presented by the author, examine areas that could be critiqued, and (most importantly) reflect on the ways that these ideas influence the way you live. The review must be written in the current Turabian format and include a summary, critique, and application in addition to a title page and bibliography. (MLOs: A, B, D)

Background Reflection Assignment

Understanding and evaluating a text’s historical context is essential to grasping its meaning. If we fail to understand what a text would have meant to its original audience, then we will fail to make appropriate applications of the text in our current context. Using Burge and Green’s The New Testament in Antiquity, along with your Bible, you will reflect on the historical-cultural backgrounds of specific New Testament books using the Assignment Template provided. (MLOs: B, C, D)

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Textbook materials for the designated modules: weeks stated in its instructions. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 multiple-choice and/or true/false questions, and have a 60-minute time limit. (MLOs: A, B, C)