Academic Catalog: New Testament

The New Testament department assists students in becoming at home in the New Testament in both English and Greek. Becoming familiar with the biblical content and with the techniques of interpreting the biblical record are emphasized. The approach is both synthetic and analytical. Two questions are preeminent—what does the Bible say and what does it mean? Students are encouraged to become independent as careful exegetes and interpreters of God’s Word with the goal being the application in life and ministry of God’s eternal truth.

BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation 

Foundational for all biblical studies, this course introduces the students to the proper principles and methods for correctly interpreting scripture. It traces the history of interpreting the Bible since its writing, the need for appropriate presuppositions, the nature of preunderstanding, the goals for interpretation, essential methods for performing the task, and an introduction to the various genres of both testaments as the requisite basis for doing biblical interpretation today. Offered fall and spring semesters. Two hours.

NT 501, 502 Learning New Testament Greek

Introduces the morphology and syntax of the Greek language of the New Testament. The first semester covers the essentials of grammar and the development of a basic working vocabulary. In the second semester the student is introduced to the fundamental tasks of exegesis and textual criticism, and students translate selected New Testament texts, practice exegetical methods and do introductory grammatical layouts. NT 502 prerequisite: NT 501. NT 501 offered fall semesters and summers; NT 502 offered spring semesters and summers. Three hours each semester.

NT 511 Understanding the Gospels and Acts

This course provides an overview of the intertestamental period, including the religious and political backgrounds to the first century world. It studies issues of introduction for the four Gospels and Acts, and, using the English New Testament, provides a harmonistic study of the life of Christ with a focus on his essential teachings, the theology of evangelism, and the planting of the church as recorded in Acts. Pre- or corequisite for all programs except MA in Counseling: BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation. Offered fall and spring semesters. Three hours.

NT 512 Understanding the Epistles and Revelation

Using the English New Testament, this course surveys the New Testament epistles and the Apocalypse. Issues of introduction and content receive emphasis as well as a continual focus on the theology of evangelism and on the contemporary relevance of the variety of issues these documents raise for contemporary life. Students engage in the inductive study of a selected biblical passage to increase their ability to engage in interpretation of the New Testament for themselves or research and write a paper on a topic that integrates counseling with some portion of the second half of the New Testament. Pre- or corequisite for all programs except MA in Counseling: BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation. Offered fall and spring semesters. Three hours.

NT 540–560 Analysis of Selected Books

Engages students electing one of these courses in a careful study of the English text of one or more New Testament books. Two hours.

NT 565 The Parables of Jesus

Examines the nature and significance of the parables of our Lord in the context of Jesus’ teaching, the evangelists’ editing and the church today. Two hours.

NT 566 Analysis and Practice of the Sermon on the Mount

Consists of an analysis of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in order to understand its message for his original hearers and for Matthew the Evangelist. The course will have a dual focus: (1) critical methodology—giving proper place to exegesis, background, and literary structure and (2) theological content and contemporary application. Two hours.

NT 579 Using the Greek New Testament in Ministry

This intensive course introduces the essential elements of Greek grammar and exegesis to students who do not take the full sequence of courses in Greek language and exegesis. A hands-on course, it identifies and demonstrates use of the best tools, including computer-based resources. Designed to meet the MDiv equivalence Greek requirement for admission to the Doctor of Ministry program but will also benefit MA degree students whose programs do not include Greek but who wish to enhance their own Bible study and biblical research. The course helps students avoid common pitfalls and fallacies in the use of the Greek language. Most of the course work is done in advance of the course. Offered summers on sufficient demand. Three hours.

NT 580–589 Center for Judaic Studies Courses

Courses are taught by instructors in the center, which is a part of the University of Denver. Covering a range of topics and issues, the courses may apply to various Denver Seminary programs. However, specific courses may apply to the MA degree (Biblical Studies) with a New Testament emphasis only with the permission of the chair of the New Testament department. In addition, no more than one Judaic Studies course may apply to the MA degree (Biblical Studies/NT).

NT 601 New Testament Theology

Taking the approach of biblical theology, this course will combine an inductive study of the New Testament with a careful analysis of the distinctive theologies of the various authors. The course is designed for students who have previously taken acceptable courses in New Testament critical introduction and general content. It is required for the MA (Biblical Studies) program with a New Testament emphasis but it may also be taken as an elective. Pre- or corequisite: BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation; NT 511 Understanding the Gospels and Acts; and NT 512 Understanding the Epistles and Revelation. Offered alternate spring semesters (alternates with NT 670). Three hours.

NT 611 Using Greek in New Testament Exegesis

Aims to develop increased proficiency in Greek grammar by building on the previous sequence in beginning Greek. The student translates selected portions of Romans with an emphasis upon the significance of understanding grammar as the necessary basis for adequate exegesis and for discerning the message of Romans. The various tasks of exegesis receive constant reinforcement. Prerequisite: NT 502 Learning New Testament Greek (or passing of the Greek advanced standing exam), and BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation. Offered fall semesters. Three hours.

NT 612 Greek Exegesis of James

Concentrates on the practice of all the exegetical methods acquired in prior courses through a thorough exegesis of the book of James. An understanding of the message of James and its relevance for contemporary life are major objectives. Prerequisite: NT 611 Using Greek in New Testament Exegesis. Offered spring semesters. Three hours.

NT 640–660 Exegesis of Selected Books

These courses consist of an advanced study of one or more New Testament books using the Greek text. Varying approaches may be employed depending on the interest of the class. Prerequisite: NT 611 Using Greek in New Testament Exegesis. Two hours.

NT 665 Principles and Practice of Greek Grammar and Linguistics

Introduces students to additional grammatical and linguistic principles, focusing on developing students’ ability to apply the principles of syntax in the study of selected passages in the Greek New Testament. Prerequisite: NT 611 Using Greek in New Testament Exegesis. Two hours.

NT 670 Modern Methods of New Testament Study

Exposes the student to the variety of methods that modern scholars and critics employ to investigate historical, literary, linguistic, and ideological issues of interpreting the New Testament. Includes a component that meets the MA globalization awareness requirement and is a required course for the MA (Biblical Studies with a New Testament emphasis) program. Pre- or corequisite: BI 501 Effective Biblical Interpretation; NT 511 Understanding the Gospels and Acts; and NT 512 Understanding the Epistles and Revelation. Offered alternate spring semesters (alternates with NT 601). Two hours.

NT 590, 690, 790 Studies in New Testament

These course numbers are reserved for courses of special or one-time interest that do not otherwise appear in the catalog or courses designed to free the student for independent investigation in New Testament under the guidance of a professor. One to three hours.

NT 796 New Testament Thesis Proposal

Students submit a thesis proposal by the due date of the term of registration and receive a grade of satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Once students register for thesis proposal, they must remain enrolled in NT 798 until the term of registration for NT 799. Pre- or corequisite: GS 589 Academic Resources and Research. One hour.

NT 798 New Testament Thesis Continuation

Students who are not ready to enroll in NT 799 should register for NT 798 each semester until they are ready to enroll in NT 799. Course is graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory. $150 fee per semester. Prerequisite: NT 796 New Testament Thesis Proposal. No credit.

NT 799 Thesis in New Testament

Students should register for NT 799 when they are ready to complete the thesis process in a particular semester. Note that there are no course extensions for projects or theses. Prerequisite: NT 796 New Testament Thesis Proposal. Three hours.

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