• Know the major themes and developments of God’s redemptive activity revealed in these Scriptural books
• Understand the major contribution of each book to the canon
• Understand the basic argument of each book and its relevance for contemporary ministry
• Be able to recount the basic message of each book and the major structural divisions and message themes, and thus develop the flow of thought to the author’s message.
• Be able to sketch the historical and geographical setting of each book.
• Be able to discuss intelligently the major interpretive problem passages and crucial theological passages in the books covered.
• Be able to discuss intelligently various literary forms encountered in these books.
• Become conversant with major critical issues in the books encountered.

• Have a greater desire to know God’s Word and lovingly serve the God of the Word.

• (Re)commit himself to the matters of obeying and communicating the Word of God with absolute integrity.

1. Read each of the biblical books through (from a good translation) by the time of the first class session on each. Read through each book on which you write a paper once again. (10 hours)
2. Read Tuck and Carson in coordination with the class schedule below (along with the biblical text). Read also Carson, pp 215-37, 487-500. (11 hours)
3. Read at least 20 pages and at least 4 articles from DPHL and/or DLNT. Write 2-page reports on three of the multi-page articles. Expose yourself to different kinds of articles. (Since you will be reading ‘theology’ articles when you take those courses, you might want to minimize your choice of such topics.) Summarize the content of the article (about 1 page), then react (about ½ - 1 page). Your reaction must be interactive: it could include the reason you chose to read it as well as what you learned, whether and how you were satisfied or disappointed, and any personal application that comes to your mind. Bibliographic info must be followed according to the template provided in class. Also, keep a complete log of your DPHL / DLNT reading and turn it in at the last class session. Finally, footnote and bibliography format protocol must be followed correctly. (6 hours)
4. Read about the same volume of material from at least 4 more sources of background material on the Epistles and/or Revelation. Suggested sources include ABD, ZPEB, ISBE, etc., as well as Bruce and Gaebelein from the Recommended reading above. Do not duplicate article topics: expose yourself to many different topics and kinds of topics; acquaint yourself with various resources. But I want everybody to read an article from some resource on "Gnosticism." Keep a complete log of this reading and turn it in at the last class session. (4 hours)

1. Produce a "synthetic chart" (with outline and subject-complement statement) on Romans (due class meeting 3):
   including …
   

- content summary for each chapter
(raw; concise, no complete sentences, comprehensive, memory jogger; selective, but not randomly so; not an outline; do your own work—do not just borrow some Bible’s section headings);

- 5 significant themes traced (two steps) through the book
FAITH should include believe, unbelief, obey, disobey (Heb 2:18f; 3:1-6), faithful, unfaithful, endure (?), abide (?), etc.; ‘Kingdom’ and ‘King’ are one theme, not two; a common problem in "tracing" is poorly defined or understood themes; and avoid being too broad (‘Justification’ in Rom 2:1-25) and too narrow (‘Sin’ in Rom 1:18-32); "tracing" also functions as a check on the importance of a theme.

- write a one-page analytical comparison of the outlines provided, the basis of which is their intrinsic faithfulness to the author’s thought and structure;
that is, evaluate the exegetical accuracy of each outline (overlook the smoothness/readability issues): list "strengths … weaknesses" of each; address (1) breaks (seams), (2) headings: critique as if measured against an assumed ideal, authorial structure.

- and a subject-complement message statement (NOT identical to "Subject-Purpose"!) for the whole book.

The subject is the answer to the question, What is the author talking about, the main topic of the book? It is not a complete sentence; it is the subject of a sentence. Do not say, "[Author or Book] teaches …," or other situation-specific points, which are more characteristic of a Subject-Purpose statement.

The complement is the answer to the question, What does the author say about the subject? It is not a complete sentence either; it is the completion of the sentence begun by the subject. It is not a dependent clause, such as, "who gave his life …"

These need to be the fruit of serious, "quality" work. Each half statement (S and C) needs then to be accompanied by a paragraph of ‘commentary’ on your S/C. Show how the elements of your S/C are actually in the text and that both S and C cover the whole epistle (so supply specific chapter:verse references); but this must be in complete sentences and thesis-type paragraphs. This is as much a check for you—to see that your statement is defensible—as for the reader. These must also be single: that is, no multiple subjects or complements joined by "and" or "so that."

I have provided grade sheets for these assignments with this syllabus. Failure to turn in a grade sheet with each assignment will result in a full letter grade reduction, without mercy!

2. Options (due Class meeting 5; spouses may not do same option; full assignment descriptions will be provided in class: do not attempt to write these papers without the benefit of the class sessions on the books covered; all 4-6 pages):
   
   a. Compare and contrast the messages of the books of Ephesians and Colossians.
   
   b. "A Pastoral Theology from the Pastoral Epistles."
   
   c. (For counseling students only) Write a 4-6 page paper on the relevance of Paul’s writings (outside Galatians and Romans) for marital or family counseling. Submit in writing a topic at least two weeks in advance for approval. Remember … this is a Bible class, not a psych class.
   
   d. "The Superiority of Jesus in Hebrews."
   
   e. Write a paper on one of the following themes from Hebrews: Faith; Salvation; Revelation.
3. Write a 6-8 page paper on The Central Teaching of the Book of Revelation (full assignment description will be provided in class; do not attempt to write this paper without the benefit of the class sessions on Revelation)

Reading log	5%
Reading reports	15%
Chart, Essay papers	(@ 25% =) 50%
Revelation paper	30%

reading log

Name__________________________ Book: Romans