Course Code: BOS16
Bible: Its Content and Message II: NT
BD Orientation, Semester II, 2 Credits Hours, College Paper

Objectives
To orient the students to
The contents and messages of the New Testament books
To know the possible historical and cultural contexts of each book

Course Requirements

Final Examination 60%
Internal Assessment  40%

Course Content:

I. The Four Gospels

1. The Gospel of Mark: Literary Structure of Mark; Mark and his possible context and readers; Date; Major Themes: the Identities of Jesus; the Parables and Miracles of the Reign of God; Disciples, Discipleship and the Little followers of Jesus; the Way motif; Faith; Prayer; Jesus and the Jewish Leaders; Issues of authority, power, purity, Sabbath; worship and spirituality; passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
2. The Gospel of Matthew: Literary Structure of Mathew, Matthew and His Readers; Date; Major Themes: Infancy Narratives; Hebrew Bible Citations; the five long discourses of Jesus; Ekklesia; Parables, Miracles and the Reign of Heaven; Apocalyptic instructions, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
3. The Gospel of Luke: Literary Structure of Luke; Luke and his readers; Date; Major Themes: The Magnificent, Nazareth Manifesto, Inclusiveness of the Lukan Community—Lukan preferential option for the non-Jews, poor, women, Samaritans, Gentiles; encounter with Jerusalem authorities; woe to the rich; the Last Supper, passion and resurrection narratives.
4. The Gospel of John: Literary Structure of John; Date; Major Themes: the Prologue, the replacemeir motif (the old is replaced by the new), ‘the Jews’; the Paraclete, the Signs, the ‘I AM Sayings’, the farewell discourses, Jesus as the glorious one even in suffering.

II. The Acts of the Apostles: Literary Structure, Character (story, history, theology), and theological purpose/ s; Luke as a historian and missionary theologian, Luke’s context and readers; date; major themes: the spread of the Gospel of Christ and the churches from Palestine to the Gentile world, Jewish-Gentile Mission; the Jews, the conservative cultural nationalist Jewish Christians; ‘Hebrews’ and `Hellenists’; the Stephenites and the origin of the Pauline mission to the Gentile world; missionary journey narratives; the Holy Spirit; life and worship in the early church.

III. Paul and His Letters

1. Letters of Paul

1. I and II Thessalonians: Occasions, Purposes, Dates, Major Themes: Christian life, Hope, Second Coming, Work Ethics.
2. Galatians: Occasion and purpose, date, major themes: Gospel and the Law, Theology, of the Jewish-Christian cultural nationalists, Pauline challenge to Jewish cultural nationalism; Pauline hermeneutics on the story of Abraham, the Jewish-Gentile elddesia of God in. Christ as the new Israel of God.
3. I and II Corinthians: How many letters did Paul write to Corinth? I Corinthians—Oceasion, purposes, date, major themes: division, immorality, litigation, marriage, divorce and remarriage, freedom and environment, worship, the Lord’s Supper, the rich and poor in Corinth, use and abuse of the spiritual gifts, resurrection, Diakonia mission (collection). II Corinthians: Occasion, purposes, date, major themes: ministry of reconciliation, economic mutuality, apostolic authority,
4. Romans: the message to the Elddesia of God in Christ in the capital of the Empire—occasion, purpose/s, date; major themes: Paul’s Gospel, justification by faith, faith/ faithfulness of Christ, ‘in Christ’ motif, baptism, life in the Spirit, a new creation, participation in the socio-political order, mutual, care and support.
5. Philippians: Occasion and purpose, date, major themes: Christ Hymn, unity within the Christian community, Christian gratitude.
6. Colossians: Occasion, purpose, date, major themes: Jesus as the cosmic redeemer, fullness in Christ, new life in Christ.
7. Philemon: Occasion, purpose, major themes: attitude to slavery
8. Ephesians: Occasion and purpose, date, major themes: the mystery of Christ, new and transformed humanity in Christ, unity of the believers in Christ.
9. I & II Timothy and Titus: Occasions, purposes, dates, major themes: ministerial order, pastoral administration, qualifications of a Christian minister, pastoral offices, roles and duties.

IV. The General Epistles:

1. Hebrews: Occasion and Purpose, Date major themes: Jesus above the angels, Moses and the high priests, the supremacy of Jesus’ priesthood and sacrifice, covenant, models of faith.
2. James: Occasion and purpose, date, major themes: work and faith, patience in suffering, attitude to riches, the practice of piety
3. I Peter: Occasion and purpose, date major themes: persecution, response to suffering for Christ, Holy living, following Christ.
4. II Peter: Occasion and purpose, date, major themes: warning against false teachers, delay of the
5. Jude: Occasion and purpose, date, major theme: warning against apostates
6. Epistles of John: Occasions and purposes, dates, major themes: humanity and divinity of Christ, loving God and fellow human beings, hospitality to strangers, obedience to godly leaders, unity.

V. The Revelation of John (The Apocalypse): Apocalyptic literature (genre), its features, pseudonymity, symbolic visions, apocalypse and empire, vision of the empire of God, problem of approximation (repetition despite displacement). Major themes: God’s message to the churches in the City (chs. 1-3), God judges the Great City (chs. 4-18), God redeems the Holy. City (chs. 19-22).

Bibliography

Green, Joel, et al Dictionary ofJesus and the Gospels, NP, 1992
Hawthrone, Gerald, et al Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, 1W, 1993
Kee, Howard Clark, et al The Cambridge Companion to the Bible, Cambridge: CUP, 1997

All Subjects

Friendly Note

Bachelor of Divinity Materials is your one-stop resource for comprehensive Biblical studies, designed to support students pursuing a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) and other theological courses. Our website is a dedicated platform that provides access to the full syllabus of the Bachelor of Divinity course along with detailed answers, ensuring a thorough understanding of every subject and topic covered in your curriculum.

Here, you will find a vast collection of assignments, study guides, articles, and research papers meticulously curated to assist you in excelling academically. The platform also features a rich selection of theological books, journals, and resources spanning diverse subjects such as Old Testament, New Testament, Systematic Theology, Church History, Biblical Languages, and Pastoral Studies.

To make your learning experience convenient and accessible, we offer downloadable PDFs of study materials, including books and journals, allowing you to learn anytime, anywhere. Whether you are preparing for exams, writing assignments, or conducting in-depth research, these resources are tailored to meet the needs of both students and scholars in biblical and theological studies.

With a commitment to empowering theological learners, our mission is to provide high-quality, authentic, and practical study materials. Explore Bachelor of Divinity Materials to grow spiritually, academically, and intellectually as you deepen your understanding of God’s Word and Christian doctrine. This platform is a valuable resource for aspiring ministers, pastors, and anyone dedicated to the study of theology and biblical teachings.