NT 5502 AS ASHLAND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Spring 2015 Wednesday, 1:30-4:30 Ashland Office Phone: (419) 289 5722 e-mail: jbyron@ashland.edu *****Please note: This class requires watching prerecorded lessons prior to each class as well as some preparation and assignments ***** I. Course Description This is the second of a two-course sequence that trains students to use the original language of the New Testament competently for preaching, teaching, and study. Emphasis is placed on how the language works. Students are taught the principles of Greek grammar, a basic vocabulary, how to read the Greek New Testament, translation strategies, and the basic exegetical skills appropriate to the stages of their facility in the language. Further Description: The study of biblical languages provides opportunities for students to grow in many ways with respect to the four facets of responding to God s call as reflected by the ATS curriculum model. The skills developed in New Testament Greek contribute to the competency necessary for professional ministry, for preaching, for teaching, and for pastoral counseling, and for one s personal study of the Word of God. II. Student Learning Outcomes As a result of this course, students will be able to 1. Demonstrate critical and faithful interpretation and responsible use of Scripture in appropriate ministry and professional settings. 1a. Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of Greek grammar and syntax and apply this knowledge to reading and translation of the Greek New Testament. 1b. Apply foundational concepts of Greek grammar, syntax, and lexicography to basic exegetical tasks and to the analysis of translations of the Greek New Testament. 2. Establish familiarity with critical methods of and appreciation to interpretation as reflected in a variety of cultures and communities. 3. Demonstrate critical theological reflection that is biblically faithful, historically grounded, contextually relevant, and integrated with life and ministry. 4-6. Not assessed in this course.
II. Course Requirements A. Required Textbooks and Materials 1 Byron, John. 1 & 2 Thessalonians: The Story of God Bible Commentary. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014). ISBN: 0310327261 *Choose one of the commentaries below* Fee, Gordon. The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. ISBN: 9780802863621. Malherbe, Abraham J. The Letters to the Thessalonians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, The Anchor Yale Bible v. 32B. New Haven Conn.: Yale University Press, 2008. ISBN 0300139845 Wanamaker, Charles A. The Epistles to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. ISBN: 0802823947 B. Attendance According to the Student Handbook, attendance at all class sessions is expected, unless the professor has been notified in advance and has approved the absence. Students should be on time and should stay through the duration of all classes. Any student missing more than six class hours (2 weeks) will be required to do additional work, receive a lower grade, audit or withdraw from the class, or be penalized otherwise at the discretion of the professor. 2 C. Assignments/Assessment of Student Learning 1. This course uses the flipped classroom model. Rather than sitting through lectures in class and doing assignments outside of class, students will watch a video presentation of the lesson for the week (approx. 30 mins) and complete a series of practice exercises based on that lesson. When students attend class on Wednesday we will often begin with a short devotional lesson that includes attention to Greek as well as to reflection on a portion of Scripture, for personal application and prayer (30 mins). The class will then take time to 1 Those books required for Greek I in the fall will also be used in Greek II. Story, J. Lyle and Cullen I.K. Story. Greek To Me. (Xulon Press, 2002): ISBN: 159160222X. -----. Parsing Practice and Sentence Translation Workbook for Greek to Me -----. Translation Key For Greek To Me. -----. The Greek Memory System Flash Cards The UBS Greek New Testament: Reader s Edition with Textual Notes (Greek Edition) Hendrickson Publishers; 4 th Revised edition (December 2010) ISBN: 978-1598566338 2 This policy also includes tardiness. 2
answer questions about and reinforce the information from the video lesson (30 mins). The remaining portions of the class (90 to 120 mins) will focus on the translation assignment for the week. This method will allow for more interaction time between professor and student so as to improve comprehension and retention of the material. 2. Students are expected to complete all assignments before each class session begins: this includes watching the video lesson, chapter readings, practice exercises, and the memorization of vocabulary. Always be ready to read aloud, to put your work on the board, and to hand in completed written assignments at the beginning of class, if asked. 3. The learning environment of this course sequence will be collegial, not competitive. We are all called to be learners together at ATS; everyone is expected to model caring for each other. There will be times when work assigned must be done without help: please hold yourself to the letter and spirit of the ATS Academic Integrity Policy. 4. Students are expected to watch/attend all lectures, complete assigned readings, translation exercises and to learn the vocabulary listed at the beginning of each chapter. Additional translation homework may be given if deemed necessary.*note every effort should be made to learn new vocabulary words prior to the class.* 5. A take home quiz will be provided to the students at the end of each class. Students are expected to study for and then take the quiz without any assistance from textbooks, flash cards or other students. Consult with me if a situation arises that makes it difficult for you to take the quiz. Quizzes are due at the beginning of class on the following Wednesday. NO late quizzes will be accepted without prior approval. The professor may, at his discretions, require unannounced in class quizzes. 6. At the end of each chapter is a translation exercise. Students will begin the exercise in class and will complete any unfinished portions at home. You must correct your translation work with a red pen after you have finished the exercise. All completed/corrected translation exercises are to be submitted at the beginning of the next class. Please note that the translation key is provided for checking your work only. 7. All class materials including video tutorials and weekly translation assignments will be located on the Ashland University Angel platform. Quizzes and other materials will be delivered in hardcopy form by the professor when the class meets. 8. Beginning in week ten students will translate a portion of scripture prior and complete an exegetical notebook for this class. The notebook will be formatted as follows: Each week students will parse, translate and outline the assigned portion of the 3
text, write out five to ten observations with at least four interpretive questions, provide a thrust statement and both a general and specific application. The notebook should demonstrate interaction with Bible dictionaries, commentaries and other relevant material. All of these skills are taught in the IT 502 foundations of Bible Study course. Students should take the time to review the relevant material in the Foundations of Bible Study Manual. The assignment is due at the beginning of the class and students will be asked to share their observations with the class. The notebook will be due at the last class. D. Calculation of Grade and Connection of Learning outcomes III. Course Schedule Assignments Learning Outcomes Percent of Final Grade Translation exercises: 1 30% Weekly quizzes 1 35% Exegetical Notebook 1, 2,3 35% Week/Session # Date(s) Lecture/Topic Readings/Assign ments 1 January 7, 2015 Chapter Thirteen: The Subjunctive Mood (pp. 184-198). 2 January 14, 2015 Chapter Fourteen: Uses of the Infinitive (pp. 199 211). 3 January 21, 2015 Chapter Fifteen: Contract Verbs (pp. 212-220). 4 January 28, 2015 Chapter Sixteen: Liquid Verbs (pp. 221 223). 5 February 4, 2015 Chapter Seventeen: Interrogative, indefinite and relative pronouns (pp.234 243). 6 February 11, 2015 Chapter Eighteen: The 4
Imperative and Optative Moods (pp. 244-258). 7 February 18, 2015 Chapter Nineteen: mi verbs (pp. 259 71). 8 February 25, 2015 Chapter Twenty: More mi verbs (pp. 272 83). March 4, 2015 Spring Break 9 March 11, 2015 Chapter Twenty One: Comparative and Superlative (pp. 114 92). 10 March 18, 2015 Translate Acts 17:1-9. pp. 1-28. 11 March 25, 2015 Translate 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. 12 April 1, 2015 Translate 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16. 13 April 8, 2015 Translate 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 14 April 15, 2015 Translate 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 15 April 22, 2015 Translate 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 pp. 29-55. pp. 56-90. pp. 91-123. pp. 124-61. pp. 162-212. 5
IV. Recommendations for Lifelong Learning From time to time, the professor will bring to class representative works which students may find useful for adding to their library of tools and resources as they continue their studies in Biblical Greek. V. Seminary Guidelines A. ATS Academic Integrity Policy Ashland Theological Seminary expects each student to uphold the Seminary s core value of academic excellence by contributing to an environment that is both challenging and supportive. In such an environment a student will neither seek nor offer improper assistance. All students have an obligation to be forthright in their academic endeavors and to respect ethical standards. The work that one submits for academic evaluation must be one s own, unless an instructor expressly permits certain types of collaboration. Academic integrity requires that each student will use one s own capabilities to achieve one s fullest potential and will neither offer nor accept aid that is not in keeping with regularly accepted standards of academic integrity. Failure to conform to this conduct shall constitute academic dishonesty. The full Academic Integrity Policy statement may be found in the Student Handbook. B. Academic Support Services If you need assistance with writing projects for your coursework, contact the ATS Academic Support Center. The center provides free sessions with a peer consultant who can help you with all of your concerns about academic support including writing, critical thinking, documentation, reading skills, study skills, test taking skills, time management. Contact the center if you have a question about how to complete your assignment, if you have documentation questions, or if you would like to have your paper evaluated for areas needing improvement. The ATS Academic Support Center can be reached at 419-289- 5162 or by e-mail at atswc@ashland.edu. C. Students with Disabilities Ashland University makes every effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who have a specific physical, psychiatric or learning disability and require accommodations are encouraged to inform their instructors of their needs early in the semester so that learning needs can be appropriately met. It is the student s responsibility to document the disability with Disability Services in The Center for Academic Support on the 7th floor of the Ashland University Library, 419-289-5904. D. ATS Grading Scale Grade Percent Description A 97-100 Superior achievement of course objectives, diligence and originality, high degree of freedom from error, outstanding evidence of ability to utilize course knowledge, initiative expressed in preparing and completing assignments, positive contributions verbalized in class. A- 92-96 B+ 89-91 B 86-88 Good work submitted, commendable achievement of course objectives, some 6
aspects of the course met with excellence, substantial evidence of ability to utilize course material, positive contributions verbalized in class, consistency and thoroughness of work completed. B- 83-85 C+ 80-82 C 77-79 Acceptable work completed, satisfactory achievement of course objectives, demonstrating at least some ability to utilize course knowledge, satisfactory class contribution. C- 74-76 D+ 71-73 D 68-70 Passing but minimal work, marginal achievement of course objectives, poor performance in comprehension of work submitted, inadequate class contributions. D- 65-67 F Below 65 Unacceptable work resulting in failure to receive class credit, inadequacy of work submitted or of performance and attendance in class. Selected Bibliography Bruce, F. F., 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Word Biblical Commentary, 45. Waco: Word, 1982. Donfried, Karl P., The Thessalonians Debate: Methodological Discord or Methodological Synthesis? Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. Ellingworth, Paul, A Translator s Handbook on Paul s Letters to the Thessalonians, Helps for Translators. London: United Bible Societies, 1976. Furnish, Victor Paul. 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007. Malherbe, Abraham J. The Letters to the Thessalonians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, The Anchor Bible, 32B. New York: Doubleday, 2000. Malherbe, Abraham J. Paul and the Thessalonians: The Philosophic Tradition of Pastoral Care. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1987. Marshall, I. Howard 1 and 2 Thessalonians, New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983. Nicholl, Colin R. From Hope to Despair in Thessalonica: Situating 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, 126. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Smith, Abraham Comfort one Another: Reconstructing the Rhetoric and Audience of 1 Thessalonians, Includes Bibliographical References and Index, Literary Currents in Biblical Interpretation. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995. Wanamaker, Charles A. The Epistles to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990. Witherington, Ben. 1 and 2 Thessalonians: A Socio-rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006. 7