Bible Study Syllabus (Hays)
This is the syllabus that the Bible study used in the summer of 2007. We read Richard B. Hays' The Moral Vision of the New Testament. Below is the weekly reading schedule.
Schedule
June 14
Topic
Introduction and Paul
Readings
- Everyone reads the introduction (pp. 1-12)
- Each person picks one of the below to read:
- Paul: The Koinonia of His Suffering (pp. 16-59) or
- Developments in the Pauline Tradition (pp. 60-72)
June 21
Topic
The Gospels
Readings
- Each person chooses one of the following four chapters to present to the rest of the group:
- The Gospel of Mark: Taking Up the Cross (pp. 73-92)
- The Gospel of Matthew: Training for the Kingdom of Heaven (pp. 93-111)
- Luke-Acts: Liberation through the Power of the Spirit (pp. 112-137)
- The Gospel and Epistles of John: Loving One Another (pp. 138-157)
June 28
Topic
The Historical Jesus and Revelation
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 158-185.
- Excursus: The Role of the Historical Jesus in New Testament Ethics
- Revelation: Resisting the Beast
July 5
Topic
The Synthetic Task
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 187-205
- All of Part Two, The Synthetic Task: Finding Coherence in the Moral Vision of the New Testament
July 12
Topic
Introduction to Christian Ethicists, Niebuhr, and Barth
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 207-238.
- How Do Ethicists Use Scripture? Diagnostic Questions
- Niebuhr and Barth sections of Five Representative Hermeneutical Strategies
July 19
Topic
Yoder and Hauerwas
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 239-265
- Yoder and Hauerwas sections of Five Representative Hermeneutical Strategies
July 26
Topic
Schussler-Fiorenza and Normative Proposals
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 266-312.
- Schussler-Fiorenza section from Five Representative Hermeneutical Strategies
- How Shall We Use the Texts: Normative Proposals
August 2
Topic
Test Case: Abortion
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 444-461.
August 9
Topic
Test Case: Violence in Defense of Justice
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 317-346.
August 16
Topic
Test Case: Homosexuality
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 379-406.
August 23
Topic
Test Case: Anti-Judaism and Ethnic Conflict
Readings
- Everyone reads pp. 407-443.