ACTS OF APOSTLES
BNEW 213 (H)
FALL 2008
TR 11:30-12:45 MCIN 230
Instructor: Dr. K. Stanglin
Office phone: 279-4620
Email: kstanglin@harding.edu
Websites: www.harding.edu/kstanglin
and www.facebook.com
Office hours: MCIN 209, 1:00-3:00 (MWF), 2:00-4:00 (TR)
I want you to do well in this course, so please let me know if you are
having difficulty with the class material.
Office
phone, hours, and email should suffice for class business.
Course
Description (from catalog):
Historical backgrounds, introduction, the founding and
expansion of the early church, government, worship, work, and destiny of the
churches presented in the text of Acts and related scriptures.
Course Objectives:
In light of the university’s mission and objectives, the
student who successfully completes this course will be able to:
1. Articulate the main theme of
Acts and describe how it fits into the metanarrative of Scripture.
2. Demonstrate how the book’s
variety of content integrates into the stated theme.
3. Understand and trace the six
subordinate themes throughout Acts.
4. Identify the chapters where
major events in the book of Acts take place.
5. Answer questions about the
“Discussion points” handled in class.
6. Identify and interpret
important or difficult verses in Acts.
7. Teach the book of Acts to
someone else.
Required Course Textbooks:
Bible. I prefer that you use either the NIV, TNIV,
NASB, or NRSV. Study Bibles are best.
Spencer, F. Scott. Journeying
through Acts: A Literary-Cultural
Bring these two books to each class meeting.
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend classes regularly. In the event of illness, family emergency, a
school-sponsored activity, or an extenuating circumstance, it is the
responsibility of the student to notify the instructor as soon as possible of
the reason for the absence. A doctor’s
note is required for excusing personal illness.
Print a hard copy for my records.
N.B.: Excuses will not be accepted more than one week after returning to
class.
The official policy of COBR states that the equivalent of
one week of unexcused absences (2) is allowed in this class. Each
additional absence above 2 automatically reduces your final grade by 4.5
percentage points.
You will be considered tardy if you are not present when
the roll is checked or if you leave during class. 3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence.
Students
with Disabilities:
It is the policy for
Assessment:
Academic Honesty:
Classroom Expectations and Decorum:
I expect all students to behave in a Christian manner in
and out of the classroom. Appropriate
behavior includes abiding by the conduct and dress codes set by the
university. Turn off all cell phones and
pagers. Do not even bring them on test
or quiz days. Do not eat food in the
classroom. Only drinks in spill-proof
containers are allowed in class. If
you make a mess, it is your responsibility to clean it up or pay for it to be cleaned.
Class will be dismissed when I finish, not necessarily
when the bell rings.
Course Requirements:1
1. Every student should carefully read the entire book of Acts, the
commentary by Spencer, as well as other required readings. The student is responsible for all the
information in Acts. On the final exam, you will be asked to sign
a statement indicating how much you actually read.
Be prepared to engage in dialogue, discuss, and answer questions about
the material in class. Your
participation in class discussion (which includes relevant questions and
thoughtful responses) is worth 20 pts.
of your total grade.
2. Reflection paper. Type and
turn in a brief paper that answers two questions. 1) What is Luke’s purpose in writing Acts? 2) What is the “baptism in the Holy
Spirit?” Do not conduct any research in
answering these questions. Give me your
opinion. Each answer should be at least
300 words long. Due Aug. 28. 20 pts.
3. Eight bi-weekly tests will assess the student’s ability to answer questions
about Acts, Spencer, and lectures. The
lowest grade of the eight or the first test missed will not be counted. There will be no make-up tests. 420 pts. (60
pts. each.)
4. Periodic reading quizzes will cover the student’s knowledge of
Spencer and other outside readings. There
will be no make-up quizzes. (10 pts. each)
5. There will be one map test that will cover the geography of the
three missionary journeys of Paul. 60 pts.
6. The student will choose and read one of five selected essays from
the book, Fanning the Flame (
a. K. Neller, “The
Multiple Hats of Doctor Luke,” 12-32.
b. G. Sterling,
“Customs Which Are Not Lawful,” 123-35.
c. K. Neller, “Speech!
Speech! The Speeches in Acts as Models,” 138-58.
d. C. Osburn, “Acts
Framed: Luke’s Structure for His Message,” 160-76.
e. K. Neller, “O
Brother, Who Art Thou? Gentile Inclusion,” 306-24.
Copies are on reserve in the library.
Make your own photocopy of the essay you choose.
7. After being assigned a particular discussion point from Acts, your group
will research that topic and formally present your findings and interpretation
to the class. Focus on the questions in
the syllabus schedule. In addition,
answer questions such as (but certainly not limited to): Can this topic be—and
is it actually—interpreted in more than one way? How does the context help? How does this topic contribute to the overall
theme of the book? How does this
knowledge inform or challenge our (embedded) theology? What is the practical implication for us?
Consult at least three books
from the course bibliography. Feel free
to use all the tools of research available, including your own experience. How you present the material is up to
you. Should you choose to employ visual
aids, you will be allowed a maximum
of three (e.g., three power point slides).
The polished presentation should take at least 10, but no more than 15,
minutes. Introduce and teach the
material. Tell the class something they
might not otherwise know. Your
presentation should demonstrate depth of research and reflection on the topic. Interact with the class. Be ready to answer questions from the class
after (or during) the presentation.
Turn in a handout/outline to me, which must include a bibliography of
works used. 100 pts.
Evaluation criteria: Organization, presentation, informative content,
application, handout.
8. The student should keep a notebook containing all lecture notes and
handouts. This is the best preparation
for tests.
9. Optional extra credit (to replace one missed or low grade on the
tests): The student will submit, in a word-processed hard copy, a list of
passages written out (i.e., citation and text) that have to do with the six
subordinate themes of the book of Acts, along with their sub-points. In addition, the student will write a
100-word paragraph explaining the meaning of each subordinate theme and its sub-points.
The sub-points will be introduced in a separate lecture.
In addition to the hard copy, you must also submit the paper
electronically before the deadline. Go to www.turnitin.com. I will let you know the class ID, and the
password will be acts. Click “submit” and follow the
instructions. Papers not submitted
through this website will not be accepted.
Up to 60 pts. Due Nov. 20 (late papers will not be accepted).
10. A final exam will cover the entire course. 200
pts. Evaluation criteria: Texts,
lectures.
Final: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 10:30-12:30
Grading Scale: ca. 950 points
90-100% = A
80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D 0-59 = F
Although
it is your responsibility to keep up with your grades and absences, I will
periodically post them on my website.
Check your grades with your last name and password (H number).
Course Schedule:
Wk. 1, 8/26 Syllabus. Introduction to Acts.
Wk. 2, 9/2 Ezekiel 37, S 13-31. Main theme of Acts. Read section from Jervell, Theology of Acts, 34-54 [on reserve in
library]. Test 1 (R).
9/9 NO
CLASS. BIBLE MAJORS’ RETREAT.
Wk. 3, 9/11 Essay
due (R): “Acts Framed.”
A 1-2, S 33-50.
Wk. 4, 9/16 “All.” “Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” Read “Baptized in One Spirit,” http://www.acu.edu/sponsored/restoration_quarterly/archives/1970s/vol_21_no_4_contents/terry.html Test 2 (R).
Wk. 5, 9/23 Essay
due (T): “Speech! Speech!”
A 3-5, S 51-71.
Presentation
1: The Nature of Faith (ch.
4). What gets in the way of faith? Why do some people know the gospel yet refuse
to believe?
Presentation
2: Government and Citizens
(5:29). Is civil disobedience ever
justified? When is it permissible to
disobey civil government?
Wk. 6, 9/30 A 6-7,
S 72-93. Test 3 (R).
Wk. 7, 10/7 Essay
due (T): “The Multiple Hats of Doctor Luke.”
A 8, S 94-104.
Presentation
3:
Wk. 8, 10/14 A 9-10,
S 104-27. Test 4 (T).
Wk. 9, 10/21 Essay
due (T): “O Brother, Who Art Thou?”
A 11-12, S 127-39. Test 5 (R).
Wk. 10, 10/28 A 13-15,
S 140-69.
Presentation
4:
Wk. 11, 11/4 Essay
due (W): “Customs Which Are Not Lawful.”
A 16-17, S 169-85. Test 6 (R).
Presentation
5: Household Baptism (16:15,
33). Does “household baptism” validate
the practice of infant baptism or the ancient principle of “the religion of the
head of the household is the religion of the family”?
Presentation
6: Contextual Evangelism
(17:22-31). How does Paul reach out to
his audience in
Wk. 12, 11/11 A 18-20,
S 186-207.
Presentation
7: Lord’s Supper and Lord’s Day
(20:7-12). Can this passage be used to
prove the Lord’s Supper must be taken every Sunday and only on Sundays? Can it tell us anything normative about the
frequency of the Lord’s Supper?
Presentation
8: Paul’s Mission Methods (ch.
20). What missionary principles can we
learn from Paul’s mission practice?
Wk. 13, 11/18 Test 7 (T). Theme Paper (Optional) Due (R).
A 21-23, S 208-27.
THANKSGIVING BREAK.
Wk. 14, 12/2 Map
Test (T). A
24-26, S 227-39.
Wk. 15, 12/9 Test
8 (T). A
27-28, S 239-51.
Six Themes:
You should understand these themes in Acts and keep a separate section
in your notebook on each one. As you
read through Acts and listen to class discussions, note the verses, insights,
and explanations that inform or develop these themes.
A. The
Continuation of God’s Purpose in History.
B. The
C.
Progress Despite Opposition.
D. The Nature of Faith and Unbelief.
E. The Inclusion of Gentiles in
the People of God.
F. The Life and
Organization of the Church.
Verses for Special Study:
1:4-5 1:8 2:36-37 2:38-39 2:47 4:12
5:32 8:4 11:26 13:47 16:30-31 17:11
20:7 20:28-29 22:16 28:20
Bibliography
Ash, Anthony Lee. The Acts of the
Apostles, Part I: 1:1–12:25.
Boring, M.
Bruce, F. F. Commentary on the
Book of the Acts. NICNT.
Gaertner, Dennis. Acts. The
College Press NIV Commentary.
Gasque, W. Ward. A History of the
Criticism of the Acts of the Apostles.
Gaventa, Beverly R. The Acts of
the Apostles.
Jervell, Jacob. Luke and the
People of God: A New Look at Luke-Acts.
. The Theology
of the Acts of the Apostles.
McGarvey, J. W. New Commentary on
Acts of Apostles.
Marshall, Ian Howard. Acts.
Tyndale NT Commentaries.
Meyer, Heinrich August Wilhelm. Critical
and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles. 4th ed.
Trans. Paton J. Gloag.
Moore, Mark E., ed. Fanning the
Flame: Probing the Issues in Acts.
Oster, Richard E. The Acts of the
Apostles, Part II: 13:1–28:31.
Spencer, F. Scott. Journeying
through Acts: A Literary-Cultural
Terry, Bruce. “Baptized in One Spirit.” Restoration Quarterly 21/4. (Available at http://www.acu.edu/sponsored/restoration_quarterly/archives/1970s/vol_21_no_4_contents/terry.html
Willimon, William H. Acts.
Interpretation.
Witherington, Ben, III. The Acts
of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.