Biblical Theology – THEO 610

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A study of the nature, history and current trends in biblical theology. Each semester there will be a special focus given to specific areas in Old Testament biblical theology or New Testament Biblical theology.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Biblical theology is a growing area of theological study that provides a bridge between exegesis and systematic theology. Expertise in this discipline allows the student to understand the unique theological emphases of all parts of the biblical canon and the development of theology through the progress of revelation. The course focuses on how the Old and New Testaments are related as a unified story of salvation history.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Biblical Theology of a Topic: Thesis Statement - Opening Stage Assignment

The student will design a thesis statement that expresses a biblical theology of a topic, accounting for the Old and the New Testament data on that topic. It will be one sentence long (25 to 40 words) accompanied by a title page in current Turabian format. For optimal points, the student will submit a draft thesis statement to the professor for input before submitting a final thesis statement. This thesis statement will be foundational to the research, writing, and final stages of the Biblical Theology of a Topic Assignment (CLO: B, C, F).

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 750 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to at least two classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 225 words (CLOs: A, B, C, E, F).

Paper: Theology of a Bible Book Assignment

The student will write a 2,000-word minimum, research-based paper in current Turabian format that provides a theology for an Old Testament book. The student will choose from a list of books provided in the instructions. The paper must give a detailed explanation of the theological message of the book. The paper must include at least eight scholarly sources in addition to the course textbook and the Bible (CLOs: B, D, F).

The student will create an Old Testament literature matrix, mining the Old Testament literature for data pertaining to the chosen topic and thesis for the "Biblical Theology of a Topic Assignment" (CLOs: B, C, F).

The student will create an New Testament literature matrix, mining the New Testament literature for data pertaining to the chosen topic and thesis for the "Biblical Theology of a Topic Assignment" (CLOs: B, C, F).

Paper: Biblical Theology of a Topic Assignment

The student will write a 2,000-word minimum, research-based paper in current Turabian format on a theme or topic in biblical theology based on the biblical data gathered in the two matrices (OT and NT). The paper must include at least ten graduate-level scholarly sources in addition to the course textbook and the Bible (CLOs: B, C, F).

Interpretive Essay: Deuteronomy Assignment

The student will write a 1,200-word research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on the book of Deuteronomy. Each paper must include 2–3 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbook and the Bible (CLOs: B, C, F).

Interpretive Essay: Mission in Acts and the Epistles Assignment

The student will write a 1,200-word research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on a missional topic within Acts and the Epistles. Each paper must include 2–3 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbook and the Bible (CLOs: B, C, D, F).