INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

Syllabus, Spring 2016

Course Number: THEO 202 Instructor: Prof. Daniel M. Garland Jr.
Class Times & Location: T, TH
2:30pm—3:45pm (St. John IV) Office: Madonna 8
4:00pm—5:15pm (St. John IV)
E-mail: daniel.garland@christendom.edu
Office Hours:
M,W,F 9am—10am, Campus Phone: x 1701
T, TH 10am—11am,
or by appointment.

Course Description
The canonical books of the New Testament are read in the light of Catholic norms
of exegesis and with a special emphasis on the fulfillment of the Old Testament in
the New. The course will include analysis of the synoptic problem, the origin and
composition of the Pauline corpus, the Johannine literature, and the Catholic
epistles. One major purpose will be to inspire reverence for the sacred text rather
than uncritical acceptance of contemporary scholarship.

Prerequisites
Theology 201 (Introduction to the Old Testament), or permission of the
Department Chairman.

Required Texts
The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments. Revised Standard
Version, Second Catholic Edition. (“Ignatius RSV-CE”)

Recommended Texts
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. Old Testament. Downers
Grove: InterVarsity Press. (This is a good source to discover excerpts from
Patristic commentaries and then search out the actual commentary for the
wider context.)

Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Grand Rapids: Brazos Academic.

The Catholic Bible Dictionary. ed. Scott Hahn. New York: Doubleday, 2009.

The Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Alexander, T. Desmond. From Eden to the New Jersualem: An Introduction to

Biblical Theology. Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2008.
Beale, G.K. The Temple and the Church’s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the
Dwelling Place of God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

Benedict XVI. Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the
Transfiguration. New York: Doubleday, 2007.

_____________. Jesus of Nazareth, Part 2: Holy Week: From the Entrance into
Jerusalem to the Resurrection. San Francisco: Ignatius, 2011.

_____________. Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives. New York: Image,

2012.

Bruce, F.F. The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 1981.

Carson, D.A. and Beale, G.K. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old
Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007.

Danielou, Jean. The Bible and the Liturgy. South Bend: University of Notre
Dame, 1956.

_____________. From Shadows to Reality: Studies in the Typology of the

Fathers. London: Burns and Oates, 1960.

Gorman, Michael J. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to

Paul & His Letters. Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2004.

Hahn, Scott. A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God’s Covenant Love in
Scripture. Cincinnati, OH: Servant Books, 1998.

Hebert, A.G. The Throne of David: A Study of the Fulfilment of the Old Testament
in Jesus Christ and His Church. London: Faber and Faber, 1941.

Levering, Matthew. Participatory Biblical Exegesis: A Theology of Biblical

Interpretation. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2008.

Most, William. Our Father’s Plan: God’s Arrangements and Our Responses.
Manassas, VA: Trinity Communications, 1988.

Nichols, Aidan. Lovely Like Jerusalem: The Fulfillment of the Old Testament in
Christ and the Church. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2007.

Pitre, Brant. The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ.
New York: Image, 2016.

_____________ Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the
 Secrets of the Last Supper. New York: Doubleday, 2011.

_____________. Jesus and the Last Supper. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans,
2015.

_____________. Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. New
York: Image, 2014.

Winzen, Damasus. Pathways in Scripture: A Book-by-Book Guide to the Spiritual

Riches of the Bible. Cincinnati, OH: Servant Books, 2003.

Wright, N.T. The New Testament and the People of God. Minneapolis: Fortress
Press, 1992.

Course Objectives
To gain a general orientation to all books of the New Testament that is sufficient
for further, advanced study, such as Theology 332: New Testament Exegesis.
Some books will be examined in detail, while others will be surveyed more
briefly. To become familiar with the basic religious history, culture, and
geography of Israel during the time of Christ, and methods of research into the
first-century context of the Biblical text.

To recognize that Christ does not abolish the Law and the Old Testament
(Marcionism), but rather fulfills and completes it (Catholicism).

To motivate the student to read Sacred Scripture on his own, using reliable
scholarly commentaries and incorporate it into his daily life of prayer through
lectio divina.

To grow in the love of Christ. Since knowledge is ordered to love and the
ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ (St. Jerome), a greater knowledge of
Scripture will lead to a greater knowledge, and thus love, of Christ.

Course Requirements

1. Mid-term Exam, worth 30% of your final grade. The exam is scheduled on the
course calendar below.

2. Quizzes, worth 10% of your final grade. There will be a total of 4,

unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. The purpose is to ensure you are
keeping up with the readings and lectures, as well as a means to determine your
understanding of the course material so as to identify areas that need to be
strengthened.
 3. Paper, worth 30% of your final grade. The paper will be 5-7 pages in length
and will explore a biblical theological theme in the New Testament (such as the
Priesthood of Christ, the Kingship of Christ, Christ’s fulfillment of the Temple,
Christ as a New Moses, Paul’s view of deification, etc.). See handout for more
information.

4. Final Exam, worth 30% of your final grade. This exam is not cumulative. It
covers material since the mid-term.

5. Attendance. From the Christendom College Undergraduate Bulletin, please

note: “All students are expected to attend all classes. If a student must miss a
class, he must, if possible, contact the professor in advance, or provide an
explanation of the absence before the next class meeting. Under no circumstances
may a student miss a test without a grave reason . . .” “Students are expected to be
prompt,” and “a student who misses a total of four weeks of classes (= 8
Tuesday-Thursday classes) will receive an automatic F for the course . . .
unless an Incomplete is granted under the usual conditions.”

After the fourth unexcused absence, you will lose a third-letter grade (A to A-,
B+ to B, etc.).

Students who attend every class or miss only one will receive an increase of a
third-letter grade for their final grade. Since these absences are regardless of
reason, the bonus points can only be earned by your attending class.

6. Technology Policy: No computers, cell phones, or electronic devices of any

kind will be allowed during class. Use during a test or quiz will result in an
automatic zero for the test or quiz.

7. NB: If there is ever any topic in class that you do not quite grasp or simply do
not understand due to my presentation of the material, the difficulty of the subject,
etc., please email me after the class before our next meeting and let me know.
Often, students are afraid to raise questions in class, even if they do not
understand something, out of a fear that they will be perceived as unintelligent
and so they never actually learn the material. Give me the opportunity to help you
by emailing me and I will address whatever questions you may have during our
next meeting (while keeping the author of the question anonymous).

Statement on Plagiarism and Cheating:

Please see the Christendom College Undergraduate Bulletin, "Academic Ethics."

Special Needs:
Students who have special needs because of a learning disability or physical
disability should contact the instructor during the first week of the course.
Grading Scale:
100-93 = A
92-90 = A-
89-87 = B+
86-83 = B
82-80 = B-
79-77 = C+
76-73 = C
72-70 = C-
69-67 = D+
66-60 = D
59-0 = F

Note on Office Hours:

Please make full use of office hours! They are a great time to discuss in further
length topics that we didn’t have time to give extended treatment to in class and also to
discuss topics related to the class material in which you are interested. Also, if there is
something you wanted to ask in class, but didn’t get a chance to or there is something you
want to understand better, office hours are the perfect time in which to discuss them. If
you don’t understand something or you are having trouble in class, please don’t hesitate
to come to my office and talk to me about it! I want you to succeed in my class and I am
more than willing to help you do so.

Managing your academic workload is an acquired skill. Sometimes a student is afraid to

approach the instructor because he is embarrassed that he is “behind” or “not getting it.”
Later, when the student is late with an assignment, or scores poorly on an exam, a vicious
cycle begins. The student slips further behind, yet he is more reticent than ever to seek
help. Don’t be that student! Come and talk to me, whether you are “a little behind” or
feeling “totally lost.”

Course Calendar

1. JAN 19 (T): Introductions/Syllabus/Paper Assignment

2. JAN 21 (Th): Palestine in the Time of Jesus/ Formation of the NT Canon

“Toward the Fullness of Time” in A History of Israel—John Bright
“What were the Jewish People Waiting For?” in Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the
Eucharist—Brant Pitre
“The Formation of the New Testament Canon” in The New Testament, its background,
growth, and content—Bruce Metzger
3. JAN 26 (T): Historicity of the Gospels
Eusebius on the Authorship of the Gospels—compiled by Felix Just
Introduction to the Gospels—Curtis Mitch
“The Dates of the Gospels”—George H. Duggan (Homiletic & Pastoral Review May
1997)

4. JAN 28 (Th): Overview of the Synoptic Gospels-Matthew, Mark, Luke

Mark 1-16
On the Task of Interpreting the Bible—Scott Hahn
Preface of the Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew—St. Jerome

5. FEB 2 (T): The Synoptic Problem

PAPER PROPOSAL DUE!
Relationship Among the Synoptic Gospels—Curtis Mitch
“The Lost Gospel of Q—Fact or Fantasy?”—Eta Linnemann (Trinity Journal 17:1
[Spring 1996]: 3-18)

6. FEB 4 (Th): Overview of the Gospel of John

John 1-21

7. FEB 9 (T): Johannine Prologue

John 1:1-18
Structure of the Johannine Prologue—Ignace De la Potterie
Parallel Texts for the Johannine Logos

8. FEB 11 (Th): Infancy Narrative (1): The Annunciation, Visit to Elizabeth, and
Magnificat
Luke 1:26-56
Scripture’s Revelation of Mary in Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and
the Mystery of the Family of God –Timothy Gray

9. FEB 16 (T): Infancy Narrative (2): Joseph, a Just Man/Magi/Escape to and

Return from Egypt
Matthew 1:18-2:23
Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Bk 1, ch. 1.18-21—St. Jerome
Commentary on St. Matthew’s Gospel, ch. 1 lec. 4—St. Thomas Aquinas

10. FEB 18 (Th): Catch up/Review

11. FEB 23 (T): **MIDTERM**

12. FEB 25 (Th): John the Baptist/Jesus’ Baptism and Temptation

Matthew 3-4
13. MAR 1 (T): Call of the First Apostles and Wedding at Cana
John 1:35-2:12
Commentary on the Gospel of John, ch. 1, lecs. 15-16; ch. 2, lec. 1—St. Thomas Aquinas

14. MAR 3 (Th): Preaching of the Kingdom/ The Beatitudes: The New Law of the
Kingdom
Matthew 4:12-5:20

MARCH 5-13: SPRING BREAK

15. MAR 15 (T): Jesus’ Prohibition of Divorce and Remarriage

***PAPER DUE***
Matthew 5:31-32; 9:1-12

16. MAR 17 (Th): John’s Theology of the Eucharist

John 6
Commentary on the Gospel of John, ch. 6, lecs. 6-7—St. Thomas Aquinas

17. MAR 22 (T): Peter’s Confession and Primacy

Matthew 16; John 21
Commentary on St. Matthew’s Gospel, ch. 16, lec. 2—St. Thomas Aquinas
“Two Milestones on Jesus’ Way: Peter’s Confession…”—Pope Benedict XVI in Jesus of
Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration
General Audience on Peter (May 17, 2006)—Pope Benedict XVI

MARCH 24-28: EASTER BREAK

18. MAR 29 (T): The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36; Matthew 17:1-13
“Two Milestones on Jesus’ Way: …and the Transfiguration”—Pope Benedict XVI in
Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration

19. MAR 31 (Th): The Last Supper as Kingdom Restoration

Luke 22:14-34

20. APR 5 (T): Jesus’ Agony, Trial, Crucifixion, and Death

Leviticus 16; Luke 22:39-23:56; Matthew 26:36-27:66; John 18-19; Mark 14:32-15:47
Structures of Leviticus 16, Christ before Pilate, Crucifixion and Death

21. APR 7 (Th): Resurrection and Ascension

Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; Acts 1:1-11
“Jesus’ Resurrection from the Dead” in Jesus of Nazareth, Part 2—Benedict XVI

22. APR 12 (T): Pentecost and the Beginning of the Church

Acts 1:12-8:40; 10:1-12:25
23. APR 14 (Th): Introduction to Paul and his Epistles
Acts 9; 18; 22; Philippians 3:4-7; 2 Corinthians 11:22-33
General Audience on Paul (Oct 25, 2006)—Pope Benedict XVI

24. APR 19 (T): The Catholic View of Justification

Acts 15; Romans 1-5; James 1-2
The Doctrine of Justification: From Works to Faith—Pope Benedict XVI
The Doctrine of Justification: The Apostle’s Teaching on Faith and Works—Pope
Benedict XVI
Justification as Divine Sonship—Richard A. White in Catholic for a Reason: Scripture
and the Mystery of the Family of God

25. APR 21 (Th): Galatians: Freedom, Law, and Gospel

Galatians 1-6
The ‘Council’ of Jerusalem and the Incident in Antioch—Pope Benedict XVI
Commentary on Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, ch. 2, lecs 2-4—St. Thomas
Aquinas
Optional: Letter 82—St. Augustine to St. Jerome

26. APR 26 (T): Ephesians: Theology of the Mystical Body

Ephesians 1-6
Homily 20 on Ephesians—St. John Chrysostom

27. APR 28 (Th): The Apocalypse

Matthew 24-25; Revelation 1-22

28. MAY 3 (T): Catch up/Review

29. MAY 5 (Th): Study Day

MAY 6-12: FINALS (as scheduled by registrar)