Methodology of New Testament Exegesis

The Methodology of New Testament Exegesis presents those steps which helps us to get closer to a defined meaning regarding the New Testament texts. It enumerates those specific tools without the partial tasks, that are meant to aid the comprehension process, cannot be completed: the most reliable documents regarding the original text and the aiding tools for their comprehension like dictionaries, cyclopedias, grammar, comments, monographs and studies. It outlines the methods by which the results can be discussed, assessed and organized into a unified approach.

Competences

Specific competences

The attendee is familiar with the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testaments (27 or 28 edition) critical text and apparatuses semeiology, he is able to appreciate de enumerated information and to draw a conclusion regarding the entire critical texts characteristics. He uses different etymological dictionaries and grammars, he recognizes and appreciates the texts grammar, structure, meaning and genre peculiarities. He knows the structure of the comment sequences and with their aid he is able to map the texts different problems and to see through the tension that exists between the different suggested solutions. Based on his knowledge he can argument for one or the other proposed solutions. He is able to present the results of his research in a structured and methodological way; he can assess and synthesize his work.

General competences

The attendee is able to fulfill a text analyses on his own and in a vocational manner.

Course structure

# Title
1 Object, Conditions, Instruments and Methods of the Methodology of New Testament Exegesis
2 Confirmation of the Limits of the Passage; Structure an Context
3 The Identification of the Text: External Criteria (Manuscripts, Variants, Types, Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation)
4 The Identification of the Text: Internal Criteria (Transcriptional and Substantial Criteria)
5 Linguistic Characteristics of the Text: Grammatical Analysis
6 Word Sense: Semantic Analysis
7 Text Types: Narrative Text Type and Argimentative Text Type
8 Literary Types and Literary Forms (the Problem of Sitz im Leben)
9 Traditional Materials in the Text
10 Sours Criticisme and Redaction Criticisme
11 Synoptic Comparation
12 Historical, Cultural, Religious and Social Context
13 The Use of Commentaries and Specific Literature (Monografies and Articles)
14 How to Write a Paper

Total estimated time

Classroom study Course Seminar Practice
2 hours/week 1 1 0
28 hours/semester 14 14 0
Individual study Hours/sem
Total estimated time 100
Studying course notes and bibliography 20
Further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field 20
Preparing essays, papers, or documentation 30
Personal tutoring 2
Total individual study 72

Examination

The attendee prepares for each class a written paper based on a chosen or assigned text in order to practice the learned methodological steps. Each attendee will present his paper in a pre established order. Each presentation is followed by a short evaluative discussion. Based on the guidance offered by the literature, as well as the instructions received for the papers, each attendee will write a paper that will comprise de analyses of a given text. The paper must reflect the fact that the attendee has truly gained those competences which enables him to fulfill independently an exegesis of a New Testament text. The length of the paper is between 4000/5000 words.

Bibliography

Book

Source edition