This document provides information about a short module on encountering the New Testament held on November 1st and 22nd, 2014. It outlines the module aims, content, learning outcomes, teaching methods, contact hours, assessment, and reading list. The module will introduce students to methods of reading and interpreting the Bible, focusing on understanding biblical texts in their original contexts. Students will learn about historical perspectives, exegetical skills, and biblical criticism to aid their interpretation. The summative assessment is a 2,500 word essay analyzing a biblical theme or method of criticism.

1. ! !
TMM1047/SBT
Encountering the New Testament
(Methods of Reading the Bible)
2014/15
Module Guide
Harrogate Short Module
November 1st and 22nd
Jon Swales & Tim Lewis

2. Contacts
Module Tutors
Jon Swales
jon.swales@stgeorgesleeds.org.uk
Tim Lewis
tim.paul.lewis@gmail.com
Director of Studies
Ken Farrimond
kfarrimond@ymc.org.uk
Aims
• To help students appreciate the importance – and the challenges – of understanding biblical texts
both within their original and modern contexts.
• To acquaint students with a basic working knowledge of the critical tools, skills and resources that are
useful in exegesis.
Content
• Some basic historical perspectives on the issues of biblical interpretation.
• Introduction to the range of skills needed for exegesis and to the resources that are available, helping
them to develop their own practical exegetical skills.
• A basic introduction to various kinds of biblical criticism that they will encounter and may wish to use.
• Some perspectives on how language conveys meaning, and especially on the question of genre, to
foster listening to texts in an informed way.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to
Subject Knowledge
• Present a basic outline history of the Christian interpretation of the Bible.
• Demonstrate an informed understanding and inquiring approach to selected methods of
interpretation used by modern biblical scholars.
Subject Skills
• Interpret a biblical text in a way that reflects an awareness of some of the questions raised by its
historical and cultural context and of its linguistic and literary character.
Key Skills
• Identify, gather and evaluate source materials for a specific purpose.
• Carry out a guided task that involves: independent inquiry; management of time and resources;
using IT; meeting deadlines; evaluating the task and learning from it.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches, communicating their findings sensitively and
accurately.
" CA 2 103/4Course Handbook

3. Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Lectures provide content, a conceptual framework and a survey of approaches within a subject area that
enable students to locate their learning in a wider context, to make connections with other disciplines, and to
evaluate and apply their learning to different contexts.
Guided reading in conjunction with lectures encourages independent learning and underpins the knowledge
and understanding gained in lectures and seminars.
Small group learning creates an environment where students learn to articulate their knowledge and
understanding effectively and in a way that is relevant to the group and its context.
Programmed online learning materials guide students through knowledge content, its wider framework and
different approaches to its application.
Virtual discussion forums offer students the opportunity to articulate the knowledge and understanding they
have acquired to others and to engage in informed debate.
Contact Hours
This module carries a work load of 100 hours. 10 hours will be spent in class or engaging online content, 90
hours will be spent preparing for class (reading and exercises) and on the necessary reading and writing of
the required assessable work.
Evaluative questionnaires
Evaluative questionnaires are provided for students online following the final session of teaching.
CA103/4 Course Handbook"3

4. Summative Assessment
Assignment
Mode of assessment Written Assignment - Essay
Length 2,500 words
Weighting 100% of marks for this module
Date 9:00am, 8th Feb 2015
Submission By email to Jon Swales
Choose ONE of the following titles:
1. Trace a selected theme of future expectation from its occurrence in Old Testament and
Intertestamental writings to its treatment in either a synoptic gospel or Paul's letters.
2. What did Jesus mean by the kingdom of God? What does it mean today?
3. Evaluate one method of Biblical criticism and consider how it might aid the interpretation and
application of the Bible today.
4. ‘[Jesus] aimed to bring about a radical shift within, not an abandonment of, the worldview of his
hearers. They thought of themselves as Israel, as expecting the fulfilment of Yhwh’s promises,
particularly concerning the great redemption, the restoration, the return from exile, the
‘forgiveness of sins’. Jesus offered exactly that; but, as his own stories made clear, what he
offered did not look like what they had been expecting.’ N. T. Wright. What is the contribution of
N. T. Wright’s work to a contextual reading of Jesus’ kingdom message?
Further Details
1. Trace a selected theme of future expectation from its occurrence in Old Testament and Intertestamental
writings to its treatment in either a synoptic gospel or Paul's letters.
This task involves:
- Selecting a biblical theme of future expectation (i.e., one of the ‘Ten Hopes of Israel’)
- Outlining briefly how this theme can be seen in Old Testament and, if possible, Intertestamental literature
- Reflecting on this theme in EITHER the synoptic gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry OR in Paul’s letters
- Considering:
- Is the theme explicitly picked up by Jesus / Paul in their words or actions? (Make reference to key
passages where this takes place)
- Is the theme in some way fulfilled? If so, how?
- Is there an element of postponement or incomplete fulfilment? Is the hope transformed or
reinterpreted?
Indicative bibliography:
See commentaries list (in reading list, below) on relevant passages.
Beale, G. K. A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011.
" CA 4 103/4Course Handbook

5. Hawthorne, Gerald F., Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Porter, Stanley E., and Craig A. Evans. Dictionary of New Testament Background: a Compendium of
Contemporary Biblical Scholarship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Wright, N. T. The New Testament and the People of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God.
London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1992.
2. What did Jesus mean by the kingdom of God? What does it mean today?
This task involves:
- Identifying key gospel passages which address the meaning of the kingdom
- Drawing out the meaning of Jesus’ kingdom proclamations and actions, with reference to the insights of
biblical scholars on the texts in question
- Considering: what is the kingdom like? When is it coming? Who enters?
- Applying your research to contemporary situations
Indicative bibliography:
See dictionary articles on the kingdom of God
See commentaries list (in reading list, below) on relevant passages
Green, Joel B., Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.
Chilton, Bruce. Pure Kingdom: Jesus’ Vision of God. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1996.
McKnight, Scot. A New Vision for Israel: The Teachings of Jesus in National Context. Grand Rapids, MI:
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999.
Porter, Stanley E., and Craig A. Evans. Dictionary of New Testament Background: a Compendium of
Contemporary Biblical Scholarship. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God. London: Society for
Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1996.
3. Evaluate one method of biblical criticism and consider how it might aid the interpretation and application
of the Bible today.
This task involves:
- Selecting a method of biblical criticism and briefly outlining who developed it and how it works, with
reference to particular New Testament passages
- Evaluating your chosen method, with reference to the insights of biblical scholars
- Considering: How does it shed light on the Bible? How does it help us live in the light of Scripture? Is it in
any way unhelpful?
Indicative bibliography:
See dictionary articles
CA103/4 Course Handbook"5

6. Aune, David E, ed., The Blackwell Companion to the New Testament (Wiley-Blackwell 2010).
Green, Joel B., Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992.
Green, Joel B. ed., Hearing the NT: Strategies for Interpretation (Wipf & Stock Publishers 2004)
Holgate, H. and Starr, R., Biblical Hermeneutics (SCM, 2006)
Marshall, I. H. ed., New Testament Interpretation: Principles and Methods (Paternoster 1972). Available at
http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/book_nt-interpretation.html
W. Randolph Tate, Biblical Interpretation: An integrated approach 3rd edition (Hendrikson 2008)
4. ‘’[Jesus] aimed to bring about a radical shift within, not an abandonment of, the worldview of his hearers.
They thought of themselves as Israel, as expecting the fulfilment of Yhwh’s promises, particularly
concerning the great redemption, the restoration, the return from exile, the ‘forgiveness of sins’. Jesus
offered exactly that; but, as his own stories made clear, what he offered did not look like what they had
been expecting.’ N. T. Wright. What is the contribution of N. T. Wright’s work to a contextual reading of
Jesus’ kingdom message?
This task involves:
- Engaging with N. T. Wright’s work on Jesus and the kingdom. The quotation comes from Jesus and the
Victory of God, p. 473
- Setting out the key contributions of Wright’s work, summarising effectively and using selective quotations
to illustrate
- Considering: how does Wright’s work illuminate the historical context of the gospels? What light does this
shed on our understanding of the kingdom? Are there any weaknesses to this approach?
Indicative bibliography:
See commentaries list (in reading list, below) on relevant passages.
Wright, N.T. Jesus and the Victory of God (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1996).
Witherington III, B. The Jesus Quest: The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth, 2nd ed. (Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997). pp.219- 233
‘Kingdom’ in Joel B. Green, Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall, Eds., Dictionary of Jesus and the
Gospels, 1992.
McConiskey D.S. ’Parables and Exile’ Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (JETS) 51/1 (March
2008) 59-85
McConiskey D.S ‘Exile and Restoration’ Journal of Evangelical Theological Society (JETS) 53/4 (December
2010) 673-696.
Newman C.C , Ed., Jesus & the Restoration of Israel: A Critical Assessment of N. T. Wright’s Jesus and the
Victory of God. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1999).
See also: www.ntwrightpage.com
" CA 6 103/4Course Handbook

7. Timetable
Date Session Pre-reading
1st Nov
2014
AM
session
Introducing the module
Overview of critical methods
Text work
Evaluation of critical methods
PM
session
Introducing contextual reading
Case study: Israel’s hopes
Jesus and the transformation of
Israel’s hopes
Text work
Virtual
lecture
The coming of the Kingdom
22nd
Nov
2014
AM
session
Paul and the Transformation of
Israel’s Hopes
Read a Synoptic Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke)
Read Galatians and Ephesians
Burge, Gary M. The New Testament in Antiquity.
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009. Chapter
entitled 'Historical Setting’
Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A
Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan, 2007. Chapter entitled 'Religious
Setting'
Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An
Introduction and Survey. Nashville, TN:
Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1997. Chapter
entitled 'Critical Methods'
Wenham, David, and Steve Walton. Exploring the
New Testament: The Gospels and Acts. Vol. 1.
London: SPCK, 2001. Chapter entitled 'Teaching
and Aims of Jesus'
Text work
PM
session
Overview of interpretive history
The Kingdom of God in
Christian Interpretation
CA103/4 Course Handbook"7

8. Reading list
Core Texts
Wenham, David, and Steve Walton. Exploring the New Testament: The Gospels and Acts. Second edition.
London: SPCK, 2011.
Marshall, I. Howard, Stephen Travis and Ian Paul. Exploring the New Testament: A Guide to the Letters and
Revelation. Second Edition. London: SPCK, 2011.
General Reading
Bartholomew, Craig G., and Michael W. Goheen. The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical
Story. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004.
Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman
Publishers, 1997.
Burge, Gary M. The New Testament in Antiquity. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.
Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. Second Edition. Grand Rapids,
MI: Zondervan, 2005.
McKnight, Scot. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels. Vol. 2. Guides to New Testament Exegesis. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988.
Schreiner, Thomas R. New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Academic, 2008.
Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2007.
Wright, N. T. The New Testament and the People of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God.
London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1992.
Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God. London: Society for
Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1996.
Commentaries (for use in essay research)
Bock, Darrell L. Luke: 1:1–9:50. Vol. 1. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Academic, 1994.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke: 9:51–24:53. Vol. 2. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1996.
Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids,
MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2002.
France, R. T. Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.
Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007.
Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997.
Hagner, Donald A. Matthew 14–28. Vol. 33B. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1998.
Hagner, Donald A. Matthew 1–13. Vol. 33A. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1998.
" CA 8 103/4Course Handbook

9. Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge,
U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009.
Keener, Craig S. Romans. New Covenant Commentary Series. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2009.
Lane, William L. The Gospel of Mark. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974.
Marcus, Joel. Mark 8–16: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 27A. Anchor Yale Bible.
New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2009.
Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. Vol. 6. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Books, 1998.
CA103/4 Course Handbook"9