Entering the World of the New Testament (BN8000Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit aims to provide students with an overview of the formation, socio-historical setting and literary forms of the New Testament literature. Whilst studying the various books of the New Testament, students will be introduced to contemporary methods of critical biblical interpretation. The theological issues of these writings will also be explored.

Unit code: BN8000Y

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the social, historical and political milieu of the first century CE

2.

Analyse the relationship between New Testament texts and the Old Testament and articulate implicit and explicit intertextual references

3.

Evaluate issues associated with the critical attitude towards Judaism in some of these texts

4.

Analyse the formation of these texts as the source documents of the early Christian communities

5.

Use contemporary critical methods of biblical interpretation to prepare an exegetical essay

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials, and class discussions

Indicative Bibliography

  • Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. 3rd edition. Nashville, TN: B & H. Academic, 2022.
  • Boring, Eugene. An Introduction to the New Testament: History, Literature, Theology. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012.
  • Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997.
  • Byrne, Brendan. Galatians and Romans. Strathfield, NSW: St Pauls, 2010.
  • Ehrman Bart D. & Mendez Hugo. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. New York, NY: OUP, 2024.
  • Holladay, Carl R. A Critical Introduction to the New Testament. Interpreting the Message and Meaning of Jesus Christ. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2005.
  • Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. 3rd. ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2010.
  • Malina, Bruce J., and Richard L. Rohrbaugh. Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1992.
  • ––––––. Social Science Commentary on the Gospel of John. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1998.
  • Moloney, Francis J. A Friendly Guide to the New Testament. Mulgrave, VIC: John Garratt Publishing, 2010.
  • Newsom, Carol A., Sharon H., Ringe and Jacqueline E. J., Lapsley. Women's Bible Commentary. 3rd ed. Revised and Updated. Westminster John Knox, 2014.
  • Perkins, Pheme. Reading the New Testament. 3rd ed. Revised and Updated. New York: Paulist, 2012.
  • Rhoads, David M., Joanna Dewey, and Donald M. Michie. Mark as Story: Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1999.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegetical Essay

A critical exegetical essay that develops a sustained argument, critically engages scholarship and reaches a reasoned conclusion

 2000 35.0
Essay - Critical Essay

A major critical essay that develops a sustained argument, critically engages scholarship and reaches a reasoned conclusion

 4000 65.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Naomi Wolfe on 14 Oct, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-10-14 16:52:36 +1100