Introduction to the New Testament

The process of the composition / redaction of the gospels and the synoptic problem, historical-philological issues, the content, the theological focus of the four gospels, of the NT epistles (Pauline corpus and Catholics), of the Acts of the Apostles, the issue of pseudepigraphy and authenticity, the history of the formation of the NT Canon

Objectives

By the end of this course students should be able to: • to offer written or oral comprehensive answers regarding the historical or philological issues and the theological focus of the individual books of the NT Canon • to trace down and analyze the factors that led to the composition of the NT texts and to the formation of the Canon • to develop their critical and analytical thought through the detection and the comprehension of the factors that led to the formation of the oral and written tradition of the early Church • to apply the acquired knowledge in the exegesis of NT texts / passages • to compare and connect the theological teaching of the NT texts with currents questions and discussions

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites

Syllabus

Acquisition of an overall knowledge of the history of the New Testament text and its books • Association of the individual books of the New Testament canon and their message with the various early Christian communities and groups Discussion of the theological focus of each book in the New Testament Canon and of the Canon itself as a whole with a particular emphasis on its relation to the Church life