1 NT 640 (Urban) Exegesis of First Peter (Boston Campus) - Gordon ...

NT 640 (Urban) Exegesis of First Peter (Boston Campus)
Aida Besançon Spencer
10 Maple St., S. Hamilton, MA 01982 (978-646-4084)
An exegetical study of the Greek text, with attention to the unique
theological themes, structure, and historical context of I Peter, and its
application to today.
Even though Christianity is legal in the United States, Christianity is not
always understood or appreciated. I Peter addresses a similar situation.
How can Christians live in a potentially antagonistic culture? It is a
letter that especially deals with suffering, imagery, use of the Old
Testament, roles, apologetics, spiritual gifts, and ministry.
This class will review Greek grammar, interpretation methodology, the use
of Greco-Roman and Jewish references, and the application of the text to
today. We will delve into the theological themes of I Peter by
understanding Peter more, the historical context, and the structure and
beauty of the letter. NT 502 and Greek I, II are prerequisites. (Bible in
translation with permission of Registrar.)
General Goals:
1. (cognitive knowledge) To increase an understanding of the structure
and theology of the First Letter of Peter in its historical milieu as
basis for application today.
2. (methodological practice) To use grammar, literary style and context,
and historical references more to interpret the New Testament.
3. To increase estimation of and facility in Greek.
4. (general skill) To encourage becoming creative, original, careful
scholars who employ primary source materials and who allow their
conclusions to flow from a careful and accurate reading of the
text.
5. (affective goal) To further an enjoyment and awe of God and of
the New
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Testament.
This course addresses the Gordon-Conwell mission statement by:
1. Encouraging students to become more knowledgeable of the
structure and theology of 1 Peter in its historical milieu and more
competent in using interpretative and application skills learned in NT
502 and Greek 1 and 2 (mission goal 1);
2. Introducing students to the Christian scholarship issues in 1 Peter
(goal 2);
3. Helping students mature in their character, outlook, conduct,
relationships, and involvement in society by the teacher’s model,
class dialogue, mentoring opportunities, and prayer (goal 4);
4. Providing resources and strategies that will lead to effective local
and global ministry, missions, evangelism, and discipleship as evident
in 1 Peter (goals 3, 5, 6).
Textbooks:
1. A Greek Bible. K. Aland and others. The New Testament in
Greek, bound with Greek-English Dictionary. 4th ed. rev. New
York: American Bible Society, 2001. (978-3-438-05113-4)
2. Sakae Kubo. A Reader's Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975. PA 881.K8 (0310-
26920-2) or Michael H. Burer and Jeffrey E. Miller. A New
Reader’s Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids:
Kregel, 2008. (978-0-8254-2009-2)
Readings will be made in:
Eusebius. The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine. Trans.
G. A.
Williamson. New York: Penguin, 1989. BR 160.E5 W676 (0-14-
044535-8)
or Eusebius: The Church History. Trans. Paul L. Maier. Grand
Rapids: Kregel, 1999
(0-8254-3328-2) (Spanish trans. Also available)
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Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge: Harvard University Press: 1927-28:
Tacitus V. Annals. (0-674-99355-6/1) Aristotle XXI. Politics. (0-674-
99291-7) Oppian (Colluthus, Tryphiodorus). Halieutica. (0-674-99241-5)
Josephus. The Jewish War. Books V-VII (0-674-99569-7/4) or The Works
of Josephus. Trans. W. Whiston. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987) (updated
version with Loeb numbering)
The Mishnah. Trans. H. Danby. Oxford: Oxford University, 1933 (0-19815402x)
or Trans. J. Neusner
(David Alan Black and David S. Dockery, eds. New Testament
Criticism and
Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991. BS 2331.N475
OP)
Fowler, James W. Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human
Development and the Quest for Meaning. San Francisco: Harper,
1981. (Part 4) BV 4637.F664 (0-06-062866-9)
Aida Besancon Spencer and William David Spencer. Joy through the
Night: Biblical Resources on Suffering. Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 1994
[InterVarsity] BS 680.S854S74
(978-1-55635-502-8)
. The Global God: Multicultural Evangelical Views of God.
Grand Rapids: Baker,
1998. (ch. 4) BT102.G574 (0-8010-2163-4)
. Paul's Literary Style. Lanham: University Press of
America, 1998, (part) (978-0-7618-
3954-5) BS2650.2.S68
David L. Balch. Let Wives Be Submissive: The Domestic Code in I
Peter. SBL Monograph Series 26. Atlanta: Scholars, 1981. (ch. 6)
BS2795.2.B34 (0-89130-429-0)
Recommended Supplemental Materials
1 or 2 commentaries as reference.
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Aida Besancon Spencer. “How to Write a N.T. Exegesis Paper.” binder
and C.C. Kroeger. 1 Peter. The IVP Women’s Bible
Commentary. Eds.
C.C. Kroeger and M. Evans. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2002. (0-
8308-1437-x)
Grammatical reference books. Nestle, Erwin, and others. Novum
Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft,
2001.
Paul’s R. McReynolds. Word Study Greek-English New Testament.
Wheaton: Tyndale, 1998.
Course Requirements:
1. Do a 2-5 pp. historical context study of I Peter (10%) due week
2 (Sept. 18, grace- postmark 9/29- Professor’s home).
2. Do a "character" study (1 page) and outline (1 page) of I Peter
(20%) due week 4 (Oct. 2, grace- postmark 10/6 Professor’s home).
Optional rewritten papers 1 and 2 due Nov. 6 or postmark 11/17.
Include first draft and original cover sheet.
3. Complete an 8-13 page exegesis paper (50%) due week 8 (Oct.
30, grace- postmark 11/6). Include a stamped self-addressed
envelope. Paper must include textual criticism, word, grammar,
literary, and background studies, a 1-2 page application, and a
bibliography of books used. Rewritten paper due by Dec.4. Include
first draft and original cover sheet. Only papers handed in Oct. 30
are guaranteed the opportunity to redo.
4. a. Read I Peter in Greek, keeping a notebook of vocabulary and
grammar not recognized, insights and questions from text (10%).
Keep a list of similes and metaphors to describe God and the
Christian.
b. Complete two quizzes on Greek (5%). Highest grade will be
recorded.
If second quiz not taken, 10% penalty. The Biblical Division requires
a passing grade for exegesis classes.
5. Complete all reading and class assignments (5%).
6. Th.M. students: read 2 Peter in Greek and at least 500pp. from
bibliography, including all optional reading. Hand in 1 page book
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eview for each book of additional reading by last class day.
7. (15% replacing #4 & 5) English only students will read 1-2 additional
books related to course (300 pp. minimum) and write book review(s) by
last class and prepare 1-2 questions for
Greek language students to answer at each translation time.
Extra Credit Assignment (for inbetween grades; required of Th.M. students):
Read 2 Peter (3 chapters) in Greek, using a word list (but NOT a verse
by verse analytical lexicon). Hand in list of Greek words and
grammatical forms about which you were unsure - Due by last class.
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Class Schedule
Week 1: A. Why is I Peter worth studying?
(Sept. 11) Go over class syllabus - readings, requirements,.
Week 2:
How to do historical and character studies.
B. Review how to do exegesis paper.
Assignments for next class:
1. Do historical context study of I Peter.
2. Read Mark or John, Acts 1-6:7; 8-13:3; 15; 16:6-8; 21:8-40; Gal. 1-
2; I Cor. 1-3, 9, 15. Keep notes on Peter and his spiritual
development. Reread 1, 2 Peter at the end.
3. Translate I Peter 1:1-12. Prepare for quiz. Do a sentence flow of
1:3-9.
4. Read Acts of Peter ch. 9 (30-41); Tacitus, Annals 15, 37-47;
Eusebius, Church History 2, 25.
5. Optional: read ch. 18 on pseudonymity in New Testament
Criticism.
(Sept. 18) A. Who Wrote I Peter?
Week 3:
B. Quiz on I Peter 1:1-12. Class translation. Review sentence flow.
Assignments:
1. Translate I Peter 1:13-25.
2. Read Oppian's Halieutica III; IV. 172-241, 635-45 and skim read
James Fowler, Stages of Faith, part IV.
(Sept. 25) A. How did Peter Spiritually Develop? What was a fisher's life?
B. Class translation of I Peter 1:13-25.
Assignments:
1. Do a character study and outline of I Peter (keep a copy for next
week in class).
2. Translate I Peter 2:1-10. Write down all similes and metaphors.
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Week 4
Do a sentence flow of 2:1-3.
3. Choose best text for I Peter 1:22: ek katharas kardias or ek
kardias alethines or ek kardias?
4. Choose a text for final paper.
(Oct. 2) A. How to choose the best reading? (review)
Week 5
B. Class translation of I Peter 2:1-10.
C. What is the main purpose of I Peter (optional - group)
Assignments:
1. Translate I Peter 2:11-25. Continue to keep a list of similes and
metaphors that describe God and Christians.
2. Read on temple in Old Testament (I Kings 6-8), in Mishnah Tamid
and Middoth, and Josephus War 5, ch. 5. How is Jesus like a
stone and Christians like the priesthood?
3. Find at least one newspaper article and show how you would use
it in an outline of a sermon taken anywhere from I Peter, chs 1-2.
4. Write exegesis paper.
5. Optional: read ch. 8 on literary criticism in New Testament
Criticism.
(Oct. 8-12) Reading Week – No Classes
Week 6
(Oct. 16) A. The Temple and a Royal Priesthood.
B. Class translation of I Peter 2:11-25.
Review structure of final paper. Open time for questions.
Class shares potential illustrations and sermons.
Assignments:
1. Complete writing of final paper.
2. Translate I Peter 3:1-12.
3. Read Polycarp's martyrdom in Eusebius' History 4.15.
4. Read Ps. 34.
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Week 7
5. Read Joy through the Night, chs 1, 3, 4,
(Oct. 23) A. Importance of Being a Stranger
Week 8
B. Class translation of I Peter 3:1-12.
Assignments;
1. Translate I Peter 3:13-22. (Review the optative and future participle.)
2. Read Aristotle, Politics 1, 2 on household management
3. Read Balch, Let Wives Be Submissive, ch 6.
4. Read “God the Stranger” ch 4 in The Global God.
5. Do sentence flow of 3:14b-15.
(Oct. 30) A. The Roles of Wives and Husbands in the Context of I Peter.
Week 9
B. Sentence flow of I Peter 3:14b-15.
Assignments:
1. Translate I Peter 4:1-19.
2. Read Lori Johnson's paper: "A Stylistic Analysis of James 1:1-27
and I Peter 3:17-4:19" after reading Paul's Literary Style, pp. 21-
28, 33-41.
(Nov. 6) A. Apologetics and Noah "He descended into Hell"
(Class translation of I Peter 3:13-22)
B. Class translation of I Peter 4:1-19.
Assignment:
1. Translate I Peter 5:1-14. Prepare for quiz.
Week 10 Reading Week — No classes
(Nov. 12-16)
Week 11
(Nov. 20) A. Spiritual Gifts
your list of
B. Quiz. Class translation of I Peter 5. What did you learn from
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Week 12
similes and metaphors to describe God and Christians?
Assignments:
1.Find at least one newspaper article and show how you would
use it in an outline of a sermon taken from your final text in 1
Peter. If you have not done so already, be prepared to share one
key thought from your final paper.
2. Complete all reading and self-evaluation forms. All rewritten
exegesis papers (original and original cover sheet and new draft)
due by next class.
Nov. 27 No Class
Week 13
(Dec. 4) A. Elders. The Plural Nature of Ministry.
Week 14
Class shares potential illustrations and sermons.
B. Summary. Class shares key insights from papers and class.
Evaluation.
(Dec. 11) Alternate class in case of cancellation
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