1. Course Details
When: Semester 2, 2024 Instructor: Rev. Tim Nicholls
Email: tim.a.nicholls@gmail.com
When: Thursday, 7:30 pm-10 pm
Where: Online on Zoom
2. General Aim
This unit is a continuation of Introduction to the New Testament 1, which introduced students to the study of the New Testament as history, literature and theology and provided an overview of the Gospels and Acts. This course will survey the remaining books of the New Testament from Romans to Revelation, examining the context, purpose, content and theology of each book. It will train students in the necessary skills of understanding New Testament epistles and prepare students for preaching and teaching these books.
3. Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will:
- Articulate and implement principles of sound biblical exegesis for understanding New Testament
- Understand the historical circumstances (context) surrounding the writing of each of the New Testament letters.
- Examine the purpose, content, structure, and theological emphases of each of the New Testament
- Understand how to read New Testament letters in the light of their Old Testament background (biblical theology).
- Be aware of current issues involved in the interpretation of the New Testament
- Reflect on the relevance and application of the New Testament to issues facing the church
4. Content
A survey of the New Testament Epistles including the following:
a. Principles of Sound Exegesis
- Historical Context
- Authors Purpose
- Old Testament Foundations (Biblical Theology)
- Structure & Flow
b. Pauline Epistles
- Romans
- 1 & 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
c. Petrine Epistles & Jude
- 1 & 2 Peter
- Jude
d. General Epistles
- Hebrews
- James
e. Johannine Epistles
- 1, 2, & 3 John
5. Course Requirements
- Non-Graded Requirements
- Attendance at all classes (missing more than 2 classes will constitute failure).
- Read through the Gospels (Romans-Revelation) in a modern English translation (ESV or NIV).
- Complete set readings and keep a journal of the date of completion. This must be submitted before the final exam on 22nd October. A template may be found below.
b. Graded Requirements
- Exegetical Paper (20%)
- Write an exegetical paper on a chosen passage from a given selection. The student will be required to comment on the historical, literary, and biblical contexts, meaning, and application. The student will be expected to write approximately 1000 words (Diploma/BTh/BDiv) or 1250 words (MDiv/MCS) (+/-10%) and display interactions with at least THREE commentaries in addition to the course material. Proper footnotes and bibliography must be provided. Topics will be made available before Thursday, 27th The paper will be due on Friday 26th July, 5 pm.
- Research Paper (40%)
- Write a research paper on a chosen topic related to the NT Epistles from a list of topics provided by the lecturer. The student will be expected to write approximately 2000 words (Diploma/B.Th.) or 2500 words (MCS/MDiv) (+/-10%) and display interactions with commentaries, monographs and journals. Proper footnotes and bibliography must be provided. Topics will be made available before Thursday, 1st The paper will be due on Friday 6th September, 5 pm.
- Take Home Exam (40%)
- The final exam will cover the material from the whole course. It will consist of short answer questions, exegesis on short passages, and The exam will be released on Tuesday 8th October and is due on Sunday 13th October, 5 pm.
6. Guidelines for Exegetical and Research Papers
- Include the MBS standard title page stating your name, course, subject, and
- Follow the SBL style guide for Footnotes /
- Using Referencing Software such as Zotero is recommended to format your citations
- Papers should be double-spaced and use Times New Roman font, size 12, justified
- Write in connected prose with a clear progression of thought (argument). Don’t use dot
- Be sure to provide evidence to support the points you make. Do not only make assertions but show why your understanding is correct. This means providing relevant bible references and citing scholars that make a similar point.
- Stronger answers will interact with wider scholarship. Indicate the degree to which you agree or disagree with the positions of others.
- Plagiarism is strictly prohibited, including using AI software such as ChatGPT. The use of all reference materials must be acknowledged and referenced accordingly, including the lecture
- Always ensure that you are answering the question. Do not get sidetracked on discussing interesting things that are irrelevant to the question.
- Acceptable reference material includes Books (Monographs), Commentaries and Journal Blog posts, articles and other internet sources (such as Wikipedia) are unacceptable.
- Email your completed assessments before the due date to:
- Lecturer: a.nicholls@gmail.com
- Registrar: registrarmbsed@gmail.com
- Refer to the guides here for further guidance on how to research and write your paper:
- Research Guide
- Writing Guide
- Marks may be deducted for late submissions and failure to meet the above requirements. Requests for late submissions should be directed to the registrar at , and the required form should be completed.
7. Class Schedule
| Class | Date | Lecture | Reading |
| 1 | 20th June | Introduction, 1 & 2 Thessalonians | Carson 8, 16 |
| 2 | 27th June | Galatians, Introduction to Romans | Carson 10, 12 |
| 3 | 4th July | Overview of Romans | Carson 9 |
| 4 | 11th July | Ephesians, Colossians | Carson 13, 15 |
| 5 | 18th July | Philippians & Philemon | Carson 14, 18 |
| Break (25th July) | |||
| 6 | 1st August | 1 Corinthians | Carson 11 |
| 7 | 8th August | 2 Corinthians | Carson 26 |
| 8 | 15th August | 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus | Carson 17 |
| Mid-Semester Break (19th-31st August) | |||
| 9 | 5thSeptember | Hebrews, James | Carson 19-20 |
| 10 | 12thSeptember | 1 & 2 Peter, Jude | Carson 21-22, 24 |
| 11 | 19thSeptember | 1, 2, & 3 John | Carson 23 |
| 12 | 26thSeptember | Revelation | Carson 25-26 |
| Study Break (27th September-7th October) | |||
| 8th-13thOctober | Final Exam (Take Home) | ||
Required Textbooks
Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. An Introduction to the New Testament. Second edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005.
9. Recommended Reading
Barnett, P., Jesus and the Rise of Early Christianity: A History of New Testament Times (Downers Grove: IVP, 1999).
Beale, G. K., and Benjamin L. Gladd. The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2020.
Bruce, F. F. Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Pbk. ed. Carlisle, Cumbria, UK : Grand Rapids, Mich: Paternoster Press ; Eerdmans, 2000.
Carson, D. A., Douglas J. Moo, Andrew David Naselli, and D. A. Carson. Introducing the New Testament: A Short Guide to Its History and Message. Abridged ed. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2010.
DeSilva, David Arthur. An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation. Downers Grove, Ill. : Leicester, England: InterVarsity Press ; Apollos, 2004.
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. 4th rev. ed. The Master Reference Collection.
Downers Grove, Ill: Inter-Varsity Press, 1990.
Hawthorne, Gerald F., Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid, eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.
Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Longenecker, Bruce W., and Todd D. Still. Thinking Through Paul: An Introduction to His Life, Letters, and Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014.
Marshall, Ian Howard. New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Principles and Methods. Exeter: The Paternoster Press, 1979.
Marshall, I, Howard. New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel. Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Piper, John. The Future of Justification: A Response to N.T. Wright. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 2007.
Westerholm, Stephen. Justification Reconsidered: Rethinking a Pauline Theme. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2013.
Reading Journal
| Reading – New Testament | Start Date | Completion Date |
| Romans | ||
| 1 Corinthians | ||
| 2 Corinthians | ||
| Galatians | ||
| Ephesians | ||
| Philippians | ||
| Colossians | ||
| 1 Thessalonians | ||
| 2 Thessalonians | ||
| 1 Timothy | ||
| 2 Timothy | ||
| Titus | ||
| Philemon | ||
| Hebrews | ||
| James | ||
| 1 Peter | ||
| 2 Peter | ||
| 1 John | ||
| 2 John | ||
| 3 John | ||
| Jude | ||
| Revelation |
| Reading – Textbook | Start Date | Completion Date |
| Carson Chapter 8 | ||
| Carson Chapter 9 | ||
| Carson Chapter 10 | ||
| Carson Chapter 11 | ||
| Carson Chapter 12 | ||
| Carson Chapter 13 | ||
| Carson Chapter 14 | ||
| Carson Chapter 15 | ||
| Carson Chapter 16 | ||
| Carson Chapter 17 | ||
| Carson Chapter 18 | ||
| Carson Chapter 19 | ||
| Carson Chapter 20 | ||
| Carson Chapter 21 | ||
| Carson Chapter 22 | ||
| Carson Chapter 23 | ||
| Carson Chapter 24 | ||
| Carson Chapter 25 | ||
| Carson Chapter 26 |