Critical Introduction to New Theology
- Arts
- 700 level
- 2 credit units
- 124 pages
- 15 units
This course provides a critical introduction to the New Testament. It explores fundamental issues in New Testament criticism, including inspiration, authority, infallibility, and inerrancy. The course covers the canonization process, offering an overview of the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. Students will delve into textual criticism, examining manuscripts, scribal errors, and methods for determining the original text. Additionally, the course explores historical, source, form, redaction, and grammatical criticism, equipping students with tools for in-depth analysis.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS714, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS714 · UNIT 2 THE CANON OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
The list attacks Marcionism, Montanism and the Valentinians, and may in fact represent an early attempt to counter the first Christian canon (that of Marcion) by declaring one opposed to it. Of particular note is that it rejects a now-lost letter of Paul to the Alexandrians as a Marcionite forgery.
What you should be able to do
- Define and discuss the concept of inspiration in relation to the New Testament.
- Describe the historical process of canon formation.
- Analyze the Synoptic Problem and evaluate proposed solutions.
- Apply textual criticism methods to identify and resolve textual variants.
- Explain the principles and methods of historical criticism.
- Compare and contrast source, form, redaction, and grammatical criticism.
What it prepares you for
- Religious Studies Teacher
- Theologian
- Biblical Scholar
- Religious Leader
- Curriculum Developer
- Education
- Religious Organizations
- Publishing
- Research
- Theology
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Lower Criticism
Unit 4: Types of Scribal Errors in the New Testament Manuscripts
Understanding the nuances of scribal errors requires careful attention to detail and familiarity with ancient writing styles.
- Module 3: Higher Criticism
Unit 2: Source Criticism
Reconstructing the sources used by biblical authors involves complex analysis and interpretation of textual evidence.
- Module 3: Higher Criticism
Unit 3: Form Criticism
Applying form criticism requires understanding the social and historical context of the early church and the various literary forms used in the Gospels.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 45 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: General Introduction
Unit 1: Fundamental Issues in New Testament Criticism · 3 hours
Define inspiration and discuss various views.. Analyze the relationship between inspiration, authority, and criticism..
- Week 2Module 1: General Introduction
Unit 2: The Canon of the New Testament · 3 hours
Discuss the factors leading to canonization.. Identify key figures and their roles in the process.. Examine the influence of Marcion and Montanism..
- Week 3Module 1: General Introduction
Unit 3: An Overview of the New Testament I · 3 hours
Discuss the critical issues surrounding each Gospel.. Evaluate the synoptic problems and proposed solutions..
- Week 4Module 1: General Introduction
Unit 4: An Overview of the New Testament II · 3 hours
Discuss epistolary structure and the nature of epistles.. Examine the themes of Pauline, Johannine, and Petrine epistles.. Analyze the unique features of Revelation..
- Week 5Module 1: General Introduction
Unit 5: History of New Testament Criticism · 3 hours
Trace the development of New Testament criticism.. Discuss the contributions of notable scholars and the Tubingen School..
- Week 6Module 2: Lower Criticism
Unit 1: Introduction to Textual Criticism · 3 hours
Define textual criticism and its necessity.. Explain discrepancies in Bible versions.. Enumerate the significance of textual criticism..
- Week 7Module 2: Lower Criticism
Unit 2: The History of New Testament Textual Criticism · 3 hours
Discuss the roles of scholars in developing textual criticism.. Trace the history of textual criticism through various ages..
- Week 8Module 2: Lower Criticism
Unit 3: The Manuscript of the New Testament · 3 hours
Describe great uncials and papyri.. Define miniscules and majuscules.. Note the role of early translations..
- Week 9Module 2: Lower Criticism
Unit 4: Types of Scribal Errors in the New Testament Manuscripts · 3 hours
Discuss types of unintentional and intentional errors.. Analyze examples of variant readings..
- Week 10Module 2: Lower Criticism
Unit 5: The Process of Textual Criticism · 3 hours
Define eclecticism, stemmatics, copy-text editing, and cladistics.. Evaluate methods and principles of textual criticism..
- Week 11Module 3: Higher Criticism
Unit 1: Historical Criticism · 3 hours
Define historical criticism and analyze its assumptions.. Describe dimensions of historical criticism.. Evaluate weaknesses and advantages..
- Week 12Module 3: Higher Criticism
Unit 2: Source Criticism · 3 hours
Define source criticism and identify its origin.. Give an account of the history and evaluate the methodology..
Unit 3: Form Criticism · 3 hours
Define form criticism and discuss the work of earlier scholars.. Identify various forms of gospel materials..
- Week 13Module 3: Higher Criticism
Unit 4: Redaction Criticism · 3 hours
Define redaction criticism and explain its rationale.. Analyze the methodology and discuss advantages and disadvantages..
Unit 5: Grammatical Criticism · 3 hours
Define grammatical criticism and describe its methods.. Discuss the advantages of grammatical criticism..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events in the formation of the New Testament canon.
- Develop flashcards for key terms and concepts related to textual criticism.
- Practice applying source criticism to specific passages in the Gospels.
- Compare and contrast the methodologies of form and redaction criticism.
- Outline the main arguments for and against the historical reliability of the Gospels.
- Focus on understanding the key differences between the Gospels and the Epistles.
- Review the various views on inspiration and their implications for biblical interpretation.
- Create concept maps linking different critical methods and their applications.
- Practice identifying scribal errors in sample texts.
- Prepare detailed notes on the major figures in New Testament criticism and their contributions.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS714 about?
This course provides a critical introduction to the New Testament. It explores fundamental issues in New Testament criticism, including inspiration, authority, infallibility, and inerrancy. The course covers the canonization process, offering an overview of the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. Students will delve into textual criticism, examining manuscripts, scribal errors, and methods for determining the original text. Additionally, the course explores historical, source, form, redaction, and grammatical criticism, equipping students with tools for in-depth analysis.
How many units does CRS714 have?
CRS714, Critical Introduction to New Theology, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 124 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS714?
CRS714 carries 2 credit units, at 700 level in Arts.
Is CRS714 hard?
CRS714 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does CRS714 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is CRS714 assessed?
CRS714 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with CRS714?
Religious Studies Teacher, Theologian, Biblical Scholar, Religious Leader and Curriculum Developer.