NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

1

Logos Evangelical Seminary

NTS501-O New Testament Survey I /

NTS501-S-2 New Testament Survey I—Synchronous Class (3 Units)

Fall, 2018 (Chicago Campus/eMITC)

Instructor: Joanna Lin, ThM (PhD Student)

E-mail: jlinles09@gmail.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a survey of the four Gospels and Acts. The survey includes the contents of each book

with its historical background, literary characteristics, and theological message, and introduces

current research and issues, for the purpose of fostering Christian practice.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, students should be able:

1. To describe the major events of the first century settings (historical background) of the

Gospels and Acts;

2. To grasp the contents, literary features, and theological message of each book;

3. To interpret selected texts from the five books by using critical method(s);

4. To integrate and apply the messages of the five books in ways that foster Christian

practice.

COURSE FORMAT

The class meets on 9/7-9/9 & 10/12-10/14 (Fri 6:30-10:30pm, Sat 9:00am-7:30pm, Sun 2:00-

7:00pm) for a total of 35 instructional hours. Students will need 84 hours of course work per

semester.

TEXTBOOKS

DeSilva, David A. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods and Ministry

Formation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004. Or its Chinese translation: 德

席爾瓦。《21 世紀基督教新約導論》。紀榮智和李望遠譯。新北市：校園書房，

2013。

Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. Grand Rapids:

Zondervan, 2007. Or its Chinese translation: 史特勞斯。《福音書與耶穌生平》。蔡

蓓和蔣虹嘉譯。South Pasadena, CA：美國麥種傳道會，2013。

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

2

RECOMMENDED READING

Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey. 2nd

ed. Nashville, TN:

B&H Academic, 2009.

Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. 2nd

ed. Grand Rapids:

Zondervan, 2005. Or its Chinese translation:《21 世紀新約導論》。尹妙珍和紀榮神

譯。香港：天道，2007。

Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical

and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998. Or its Chinese

translation:《新約透析：歷史與神學的探索》。李愛明譯。香港：國際聖經協會，

2000。

Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1990.

黃錫木編著。《四福音與經外平行經文合參》。三版。香港：漢語聖經協會，2008。

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

Participation (5%)

1. All students are required to attend the class meetings and actively participate in the

discussions indicated in the Course Schedule below.

2. Students whose absence has reached 30% will not receive the course credit.

Readings (25%)

1. Read the four Gospels and the Book of Acts three times (2 in Chinese and 1 in English).

Develop one question from each book (totally 5 questions) that you want to study further

for this course and write one devotional reflection on each book (totally 5 reflections; 200

words each). Email me this statement: “By September 1, 2018, I, [your full name], have

completed ____% of the scripture readings.” as well as the five questions and the five

reflections before/on 9/1/2018. (15%)

2. Read DeSilva: Chapters 1-9 and Strauss: Chapters 1-20. Compile a reading journal (one

page of a journal equals to 100 pages of reading). Email me this statement: “By October

10, 2018, I, [your full name], have completed ____% of the Textbook readings.” as well

as the reading journal before/on 10/10/2018. (10%)

3. Reading 900 pages in English (including readings for the final paper) is required for this

course. Email me this statement: “By December 14, 2018, I, [your full name], have

completed reading ____ pages in English.” before/on 12/14/2018.

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

3

Discussion (10%)

1. Each student is expected to share at least one substantial original post and one substantial

response post on the bulletin board via Populi. December 8, 2018 will be the final day

for all postings.

2. Your post (80-100 words) may be thoughts, questions, reflection, and insights related to

your readings or the content of the course, aiming to contribute to the leaning of your

classmates.

3. The instructor may initiate topics for discussion.

Presentation (10%)

1. The topic, thesis statement, outline, method, and references of the final paper or sermon

will be due on October 12, 2018.

2. Each student has 10 minutes to present it in class on October 14, 2018.

Exams (25%)

1. Quizzes on scripture memory: 1) Each student is to write out the memorized verses with

no helps; 2) You are required to use either NIV English translation or Chinese Union

Version; 3) The memory verses for each book will be tested right after the book is

covered. The verses are Mark 10:43-45, Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 24:44-48, Acts 1:7-8,

and John 10:7-11. (5%)

2. Final exam: 1) A take-home exam will be posted on the bulletin board via Populi on

December 1, 2018 and it will be due before/on December 14, 2018; 2) This exam is to be

the work of each student individually; you may not discuss it with anyone else or seek

any assistance through books or internets, etc.; 3) You can only use an unmarked Bible

during the three hours exam. Email me the answer sheet after completing it with this

honor pledge: “I, [your full name], affirm that I have not received any unauthorized help

on this exam, and that all work has been my own.” (20%)

Final Paper or Sermon (25%):

1. The final paper should have 4,500-5,000 words with a clear thesis statement, 7 or more

resources with proper citations (limit 2 online resources), and the accurate format.

2. Or you can write a sermon. The sermon should have 4,500-5,000 words with illustration,

application, and 7 or more resources with proper citations (limit 2 online resources). You

need to submit both a sermon in written form and a video of your preaching.

3. This is due on December 14, 2018. You should not use any paper from other courses or a

former sermon for this assignment. Please note that plagiarism will be given “0” to this

project.

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

4

Grading Scale: Percentage Grade Point Percentage Grade Point

A 93.5-100.0 4.000 C 73.5-76.4 2.000

A- 90.0-93.4 3.667 C- 70.0-73.4 1.667

B+ 86.5-89.9 3.333 D+ 66.5-69.9 1.333

B 83.5-86.4 3.000 D 63.5-66.4 1.000

B- 80.0-83.4 2.667 D- 60.0-63.4 0.667

C+ 76.5-79.9 2.333 F 59.9 or below 0.000

*Late assignments will be given lower grades for penalty.

COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

Date Contents Due Date

Preparatory Assignments

1. Read the four Gospels and the Book of Acts three times. Email

me this statement: “By September 1, 2018, I, [your full name], have

completed ____% of the scripture readings.” as well as the five

questions and the five reflections.

9/1/2018

2. Read DeSilva: Chapters 1-9 and Strauss: Chapters 1-20. Email me

this statement: “By October 10, 2018, I, [your full name], have

completed ____% of the Textbook readings.” as well as the reading

journal.

10/10/2018

Week 1 Class Meetings

9/7 1. Introduction to the Course

2. Introduction to the Gospels (Part I): DeSilva Ch 1-2 & Strauss Ch

1-3

9/8 1. Introduction to the Gospels (Part II): DeSilva Ch 3-4 & Strauss

Ch 4-6

2. The Gospel of Mark: DeSilva Ch 5 & Strauss Ch 7

3. The Gospel of Matthew: DeSilva Ch 6 & Strauss Ch 8

9/8/2018—

Quizzes on

scripture

memory: Mark

10:43-45,

Matthew

28:19-20

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

5

9/9 1. The Gospel of Luke: DeSilva Ch 7 & Strauss Ch 9

2. Acts (Part I): DeSilva Ch 8 & Elwell Ch 13

9/9/2018—

Quiz on

scripture

memory: Luke

24:44-48

Preparatory Assignments

1. Each student is expected to share at least one substantial original

post and one substantial response post on the bulletin board via

Populi.

12/8/2018 —the

final day for all

postings

2. The topic, thesis statement, outline, method, and references of the

final paper or sermon should be ready.

10/12/2018

Week 2 Class Meetings

10/12 Acts (Part II): DeSilva Ch 8 & Elwell Ch 14-16 10/12/2018—

Quiz on

scripture

memory: Acts

1:7-8

10/13 1. The Gospel of John: DeSilva Ch 9 & Strauss Ch 10

2. The Life, Ministry, Words, Deeds, Death, and Resurrection of

Jesus Christ: Straus Ch 11-20 & Elwell Ch 8-9

10/13/2018—

Quiz on

scripture

memory: John

10:7-11

10/14 1. Approaches & Study of the Gospels and Jesus: Elwell Ch 10-12

2. Each student has 10 minutes to present the topic, thesis statement,

outline, method, and references of the final paper or sermon in class.

10/14/2018

After the Class Meetings

1. Email me this statement: “By December 14, 2018, I, [your full

name], have completed reading ____ pages in English.”

2. A take-home exam will be posted on the bulletin board via Populi

on December 1, 2018 and it will be due before/on December 14,

12/14/2018

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

6

2018. Email me the answer sheet after completing it with this honor

pledge: “I, [your full name], affirm that I have not received any

unauthorized help on this exam, and that all work has been my own.”

3. The final paper or Sermon is due on December 14, 2018.

Rubrics for Grading the Final Paper

Needs Work

0-6 points

Average

7 points

Good

8-9 points

Excellent

10 points

Points

Awarded

Cover Page Missing or

misspelling

more than 3

items

Missing 2-3

items or

misspelling 2-3

words

Missing one

item or has

one false

spelling

Shows topic,

names of

students and

instructor, course

title, date

10

Introduction Introduce

without clarity

Introduce with

less clarity

Introduce

with most

clarity

Introduce the

topic, method,

and thesis

statement with

clarity

10

Thesis

Statement

Did not

explain the

purpose and

no argument

Purpose and/or

argument lack

clarity

Purpose

and/or

argument

with most

clarity

Explains the

purpose of the

paper and

presents an

argument with

clarity

10

Organization The structure

is not clear;

four elements

are not aligned

The structure is

not clear; three

elements are

not aligned

The structure

is clear and

logical; one

or two

elements are

not aligned

The paper is well

structured with

introduction,

body,

conclusion;

arguments based

on the thesis, and

conclusion

summarizes the

body

10

Supporting

Evidence

Inadequate

evidence to

support thesis

Provide some

evidence to

support thesis

Provide

adequate

evidence to

support thesis

Provide

convincing

evidence to

support thesis

statement

10

Analysis Inadequate

discussion of

topic, lack

interaction or

Some

discussion of

topic, lack

interaction or

Provides

discussion of

topic, some

interaction

Provides detailed

discussion of

topic, interacts

with published

10

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

7

interpretation

of research

result

interpretation

of research

result

with

published

resources and

some

interpretation

of research

result

resources and

interprets

research result

Mechanics More than 5

grammatical,

syntactical or

factual errors

3-5

grammatical,

syntactical or

factual errors

A few

grammatical,

syntactical or

factual errors

No grammatical,

syntactical or

factual errors

10

Tone The tone is

inappropriate

for the

research paper

The tone lacks

professionalism

The tone is

professional

but not

consistent

The tone is

consistently

professional and

appropriate for

an academic

research paper

10

References Lack of

evidence of

synthetic

research, has 5

or more errors

in citations

Evidence of

synthetic

research but 3-

4 errors in

citations

Evidence of

synthetic

research but

1-2 errors in

citations

Evidence of

synthetic

research,

accurate citations

10

Format 5 or more

errors in

format

3-4 errors in

format

1-2 errors in

format

All accurate in

format with

introduction,

body,

conclusion, and

with footnote

and bibliography

as Logos

requires

10

Rubrics for Grading the Sermon Video

Needs Work

0-6 points

Average

7 points

Good

8-9 points

Excellent

10 points

Points

Awarded

Introduction Boring, not

engaging

Has

introduction

but lacks

engaging

Proper

introduction

but needs to

be more

engaging

Grab the

attention,

engaging,

creates the need

to listen

10

Enunciation Lack

enunciation

Some areas

need

enunciations

A few unclear

enunciations

Clear

enunciation

10

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

8

Appearance 3 or more

areas short of

proper attire

2 areas short of

proper attire

1 area short of

proper attire

Proper attire,

groomed hair

10

Manner Awkward or

distracting

gesture

Nervousness,

distracting

gesture

Calm,

controlled

Perfect calm,

controlled

10

Structure Lacks logical

structure

Clear, logical 2

points need

work

Clear, logical,

1 point needs

work

Clear, logical,

easy to follow

10

Conclusion Does not

follow the

content of

the sermon

Stress the

central theme,

but add extra

point or

distraction

Stress the

central theme,

clear but 1

area need

improving

Stress the

central theme,

clear,

convincing

10

Illustration Lack

illustration or

inappropriate

to the points

Stretched, not

tight

illustration(s)

Appropriate

to the points,

need to be

more

engaging

Appropriate to

the points,

engaging,

relevant

10

Application Lack of

application

or

inappropriate

application

Applicable but

not doable or

not follow the

points

Applicable,

but too

general

Applicable,

practical,

specific, doable,

follow the

points

10

Footnote 4 or more

errors in

format

2-3 errors in

format

1 error in

format

Cite with

accuracy and

correct format

10

Bibliography 4 or more

errors in

format

2-3 errors in

format

1 error in

format

Cite with

accuracy and

correct format

10

BIBLIOGRAPHY

General Introduction and Dictionary:

Aland, Kurt, ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English Edition of the Synopsis Quattuor

Evangeliorum. Stuttgart: United Bible Societies, 1975.

Green, Joel B., Jeannine K. Brown, and Nicholas Perrin, eds. Dictionary of Jesus and the

Gospels. 2nd

ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013.

McKnight, Scot, and Grand R. Osborne, eds. The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of

Recent Research. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004.

黃錫木編。《四福音合參－改編自 K. Aland, Synopsis of the Four Gospels》。香港，基道，

1995。

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

9

斯諾德格拉斯。《主耶穌的比喻》。林秀娟譯。South Pasadena, CA：美國麥種傳道會，

2013。

Matthew:

France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Co., 2007.

Hagner, Donald A. Matthew 1-13. WBC 33A. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1993.

──. Matthew 14-28. WBC 33B. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1995.

Luz, Ulrich. Matthew 1-7: A Commentary. Translated by James E. Crouch. Edited by Helmut

Koester. Hermeneia 40a. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.

──. Matthew 8-20: A Commentary. Trans. Translated by James E. Crouch. Edited by Helmut

Koester. Hermeneia 40b. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001.

──. Matthew 21-28: A Commentary. Hermeneia 40c. Translated by James E. Crouch. Edited by

Helmut Koester. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005.

Nolland, John. The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand

Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005.

Stanton, Graham N. A Gospel for a New People: Studies in Matthew. Louisville, KY:

Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993.

──. Studies in Matthew and Early Christianity. Edited by Markus Bockmuehl and David

Lincicum. Tübingen, Germany: Mohr Siebeck, 2013.

Turner, David L. Matthew. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

卡森。《馬太福音》。周俞雲翔譯。South Pasadena, CA：美國麥種傳道會，2013。

吳羅瑜。《義僕與君王－馬太福音注釋（卷上，卷下）》。香港︰中國神學研究院，1996。

馬有藻。《天國的福音－馬太福音詮釋》。香港︰中信，1994。

黃鴻興。《馬太福音》。天道聖經註釋。香港：天道書樓，2016。

邁克爾˙威爾金斯。《馬太福音（卷上、卷下）》。國際釋經應用系列（The NIV

Application Commentary）40A & B。古志薇和陳秀媚譯。香港：漢語聖經協會，

2016。

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

10

Mark:

Boring, M. Eugene. Mark: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006.

Collins, Adela Yarbro. Mark: A Commentary. Hermeneia 41. Edited by Harold W. Attridge.

Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.

Evans, Craig A. Mark 8:27-16:20. WBC 34B. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001.

France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand Rapids, MI:

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2002.

Guelich, Robert A. Mark 1-8:26. WBC 34A. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1989.

Gundry, Robert H. Mark: A Commentary on His Apology for the Cross. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.

B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1993.

Lane, William L. The Gospel According to Mark. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans

Publishing Co., 1974.

Stein, Robert H. Mark. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008.

大衛˙加蘭。《馬可福音（卷上、卷下）》。國際釋經應用系列（The NIV Application

Commentary）41A & B。沈珪譯。香港：漢語聖經協會，2016。

葉雅蓮。《馬可福音（卷上、卷下）》。天道聖經註釋。香港：天道書樓，2011 & 2016。

Luke:

Bock, Darrell L. Luke 1:1-9:50. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1994.

──. Luke 9:51-24:53. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1996.

Carroll, John T. Luke: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2012.

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Co., 1997.

Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand

Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1978.

Nolland, John. Luke 1-9:20. WBC 35A. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1989.

──. Luke 9:21-18:34. WBC 35B. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1993.

──. Luke 18:35-24:53. WBC 35C. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1993.

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

11

鮑維均。《路加福音（卷上、卷下）》。天道聖經註釋。香港：天道書樓，2008 & 2009。

John:

Beasley-Murray, George R. John. 2nd

ed. WBC 36. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1999.

Brown, Raymond E. The Gospel according to John i-xii. New York: Doubleday & Company,

Inc., 1966.

──. The Gospel according to John xiii-xxi. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1970.

Köstenberger, Andreas J. John. BECNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2004.

Lincoln, Andrew T. The Gospel according to Saint John. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005.

Michaels, J. Ramsey. The Gospel of John. NICNT. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans

Publishing Co., 2010.

Thompson, Marianne Meye. John: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox,

2015.

白基。《約翰福音（卷上、卷下）》。國際釋經應用系列（The NIV Application

Commentary）43。黃愈軒譯。香港：漢語聖經協會，2009。

卡森。《約翰福音》。潘秋松譯。South Pasadena, CA：美國麥種傳道會，2007。

柯魯斯。《約翰福音》。丁道爾新約聖經註釋。楊曼如譯。新北市：校園書房，2005。

鍾志邦。《約翰福音（卷上、卷下）》。天道聖經註釋。香港：天道書樓，2003 & 2004。

Acts:

Bruce, F. F. The Acts of the Apostles: Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary. 3rd

Revised and Enlarged Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Company, 1990.

Holladay, Carl R. Acts: A Commentary. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2016.

Keener, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary. 4 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic,

2012-2015.

Liefeld, Walter L. Interpreting the Book of Acts. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995.

Padilla, Osvaldo. The Acts of the Apostles: Interpretation, History and Theology. Downers Grove,

IL: IVP Academic, 2016.

NT Survey I, Joanna Lin

12

Pervo, Richard I. Acts: A Commentary. Hermeneia 44. Edited by Harold W. Attridge.

Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2009.

Witherington III, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids,

MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998.

艾哲夫˙費蘭度。《使徒行傳（卷上、卷下）》。國際釋經應用系列（The NIV

Application Commentary）44A & B。黃宜嫻譯。香港：漢語聖經協會，2013。

馬饒富。《縱橫天下之使徒－使徒行傳註釋》。李寶珠譯。El Monte, CA：台福傳播中心，

2001。

張永信。《使徒行傳（卷一～卷三）》。天道聖經註釋。香港：天道書樓。1999-2001。

張達民、黃錫木。《風起云涌的初代教會－使徒行傳析讀》。香港：基道，2002。