1.235 - Acts: The Early Church and the Church Today

LTSG – Fall 2010 - http://www.gettysburgseminary.org/mhoffman/actsfall10/

MGVHoffman

 

Rationale

This course will provide a survey of the book of Acts. While investigating issues of background, history, translation of the Greek, and the like, we will also be considering how the issues faced by the early Church relate to issues faced by the Church today. As possible topics, we will look at issues of biblical interpretation, decision making, stewardship, mission, Jewish-Christian relations, and the practice of piety and spirituality.

 

Outcomes

By the completion of this course students will:

1.       demonstrate knowledge of the content and themes of the book of Acts

2.       demonstrate knowledge of the issues of reading and interpreting Acts

3.      have adopted a defined, ancient perspective (a 'persona'); described the social, religious, familial, etc. ramifications of this perspective; indicated how this perspective affects one's reading of Acts

4.      have chosen a theme and described its presence in Acts as well as having demonstrated its implications for the church today.

 

Strategies

The main work of this class will be reading Acts (primarily in English but also with regular study of the Greek) in consultation with the book Journeying through Acts by F. Scott Spencer. In order to focus and enhance our reading and comprehension, students will adopt specific perspectives for reading Acts. In addition, students will also choose a specific theme to investigate in Acts. The hope is that these perspectives and themes will be able to transfer from the ancient to contemporary setting, so that we may reflect on the nature of the early church and its implications for the church today.

 

Assessments

Successful achievement in this class will be based on:

• Attendance at and participation in weekly class sessions and completion of the readings – 20%
• An important focus of the course will be on the discussions in class and online and the student presentations.
• Students are expected to have done the assigned readings and be prepared to discuss them in class.
• Outcome 1, 2, 3, 4
• A quiz on the content of the book of Acts – 10%
• There will be a quiz on the events, persons, locations, etc. in Acts. (Students must score at least 70% on the quiz but may repeat it until that score is achieved.)
• A study guide will be provided in advance.
• Outcome 1, 2
• Presentation of chosen persona – 30% total
• Using the Social Status Points sheet, choose a persona whose perspective you will adopt as you read through Acts. You may either choose an element from each column on the grid or take one of the "Minor Characters in Acts" listed at the bottom of the page.
• Part 1: Scheduled throughout the semester, students will give a brief (7 minutes max.) presentation of their persona to the class. This presentation will be given orally and may be accompanied by various media if the student desires. (E.g., PowerPoint, handout, web site...) – 15 %
• Part 2: Persona Reflection Paper: This 2 page maximum paper (using 1 inch margins, 12 point type, doublespaced) should reflect on how your perspective shaped your reading of Acts. In addition, reflect briefly on a comparable perspective in the church today and on what we can learn from the early church. – 15%
• Outcome 3
• Thematic Presentation - 40% total
• Part 1: Write a 5 page maximum paper (using 1 inch margins, 12 point type, doublespaced) that describes how your chosen theme is presented in Acts and its implications for the church today. – 20%
• Part 2: Drawing on the insights of the paper you have written, present your findings to the class. You may choose any medium you wish, but you should think of terms of something you will actually be able to use in a ministry setting. – 20%
• Outcome 4

 

To receive a passing grade for the course students will need to attain at least 70% total

For those taking the course for a grade, note the modified scale: 70-79 = C; 80-92 = B; 93-100 = A

 

 

Required Texts

·         Spencer, F. S. (2004). Journeying Through Acts: A Literary-Cultural Reading. Hendrickson Publishers.

• A good study Bible, such as The New Revised Standard Version Bible with Apocrypha (recommended: HarperCollins Study Edition or The New Oxford Annotated (3^rd ed.) or The Access Bible) or the NET Bible Nestle-Aland²⁷ Diglot (http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2056)
  
  and ONE of the following:
  
  

·         Gaventa, B. R. (2003). Acts Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Abingdon Press.

·         Johnson, L. T. (2006). The Acts of the Apostles. Liturgical Press.

 

Recommended Texts

·         Bock, D. (2007). Acts. Baker Academic & Brazos Press.  

·         Fitzmyer S.J, J. A. (1998). The Acts of the Apostles. Yale University Press.

·         Malina, B. J., & Pilch, J. J. (2008). Social-science Commentary on the Book of Acts. Fortress Press.

·         Powell, M. A. (1991). What Are They Saying About Acts? Paulist Press.

SCHEDULE

Tentative

	READINGS	DUE
SEPT
7
14	Acts 1-2; JtA 1-50	Select 'persona' and theme
21	Acts 3-5; JtA 51-71
28	Acts 6-9.31; JtA 72-111
OCT
5	Acts 9.32-12.25; JtA 112-139	Persona presentations	ChrisL, Anteneh, Carolyn
12	Acts 13.1-16.5; JtA 140-169	Persona presentations	Brian, Adam, Annabelle
19	NO CLASS	READING DAYS
26	Acts 16.6-21.36; JtA 169-211	Persona presentations	Kyeongcheol, Karin, ChrisS, Outi
NOV
2	Acts 21.37-23.35; JtA 212-227	Persona presentations	Dan, Jason, Julie
9	Acts 24.1-28.31; JtA 227-251	Persona presentations	Aaron, Peter, Paul
16		Acts Content Quiz / Persona Reflection Paper
23		Thematic presentations	ChrisL, Anteneh, Carolyn, Brian
30		Thematic presentations	Adam, Annabelle, Kyeongcheol, Karin
DEC
7		Thematic presentations	ChrisS, Outi, Dan, Jason
14		Thematic presentations	Julie, Aaron, Peter, Paul