Interpreting the New Testament (BN8001W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit introduces you to the texts of the New Testament and their interpretation, with a particular focus on the Synoptic Gospels. You will learn about the processes through which the New Testament writings came into being, the social and cultural worlds to which they belong, the sources, traditions, and genres that they contain, and the diverse theological perspectives that they reflect. Each lesson of the unit will introduce you to exegetical skills and methodologies that will equip you for ongoing critical and faithful study and interpretation of the New Testament texts.

Unit code: BN8001W

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: New Testament

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Discuss the content, genres, and theological perspectives of New Testament documents and the historical processes through which the New Testament emerged.
2.

Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of a range of interpretative approaches to studying New Testament texts.
3.

Demonstrate an informed understanding of the historical worlds from which the New Testament writings emerged.
4.

Display a range of exegetical skills through analysis of a selected New Testament text and consideration of its theological and contextual significance for discipleship, mission, and ministry.

Unit sequence

None.

Pedagogy

The unit is based on weekly inductive exegetical workshops that introduce a range of interpretative methods and exegetical skills. Learning from workshop preparation will be consolidated and developed through lecture content and provision of additional study materials.

Indicative Bibliography

Students are not expected to purchase any books other than a good study Bible (NRSV or NRSVue) if they do not already have one. Recommended: Cambridge NRSV Reference Edition

  • Brown, Jeannine K. Scripture as Communication: Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics. 2nd edition. Baker Academic, 2021.
  • Burge, Gary M., Lynn Cohick, Gene L. Green. The New Testament in Antiquity. Zondervan, 2009.
  • DeSilva, David Arthur. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation. 2nd edition. IVP, 2018.
  • Ehrman, Bart D., Hugo Mendez. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 8th edition. Oxford University Press, 2024.
  • Green, Joel B., Jeannine K. Brown, Nicholas Perrin, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. 2nd edition. IVP, 2013.
  • McCaulley, Esau, Janette H. Ok, Amy L. B. Peeler et al, eds. The New Testament in Color : A Multiethnic Bible Commentary. IVP Academic, 2024.
  • Patte, Daniel and Teresa Okure, eds. Global Bible Commentary. Abingdon, 2004.
  • Schnelle, Udo. Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology. Baker Academic, 2013.
  • Schneiders, Sandra, The Revelatory Text: Interpreting the New Testament as Sacred Scripture. 2nd edition.Liturgical, 1999.
  • Thomaskutty, Johnson. An Asian Introduction to the New Testament. Fortress, 2021.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Document Study - Exegetical Workshop Paper 1000 20.0
Document Study - Exegetical Workshop Paper 1000 20.0
Document Study - Exegetical Workshop Paper 1000 20.0
Exegetical Essay 4000 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 19 Sep, 2025

Unit record last updated: 2025-09-19 14:47:54 +1000