Module 1 concentrates on exegesis. Module 2 is given literary features in view of other relevant ancient compositions. Module 3 examines Palestinian and Diaspora settings for Acts and addresses culture, Roman policy, geography, names, synagogues, population personalities, proselytism, and Jewish diaspora communities. 3 semester hours of graduate credit. Credit may not be earned in this course if the student has taken its predecessor--MRS 315.

Objectives

1.  Analyze the text of Acts of Apostles with respect to purpose, structure, content, issues, and themes

2.  Recognize the significance of the literary and cultural background of Acts

3.  Evaluate Acts for modern application

Credit.  Credit for the course requires a score of 70% or greater on three multiple choice exams and two essay exams. Each exam counts for 20 percent of the final grade.  A sample multiple choice problem is given below.

When interpreting Acts of Apostles, the first matter to be investigated is its (A) social background, (B) literary nature, (C) historicity, (D) theology.

Resources

Two commentaries and a special interest book are provided as e-books without cost to the student.  If hard copy books are preferred, the following are recommended:

Liefeld, Walter L. Interpreting the Book of Acts. Book 4 of Guides to New Testament Exegesis. Ed. Scot McKnight. Baker Academic, 1995. 142 pages. $19.94 ISBN: 978-0801020155

Marshall, I. Howard. The Acts of the Apostles. A vol. of Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Ed. by R. V. G. Tasker. IVP Academic, 2008. 447 pages. $13.31 ISBN: 978-0830842353

Winter, Bruce W., ed. The Book of Acts in Its First Century Setting. Vol. 1: The Book of Acts in Its Ancient Literary Setting. Ed. by Bruce W. Winter and Andrew D. Clarke. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993. 491 pages. $35.21 ISBN: 978-0802824332

Winter, Bruce W., ed. The Book of Acts in Its First Century Setting. Vol. 4: The Book of Acts in Its Palestinian Setting. Ed. by Richard Bauckham. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995. 540 pages. $36.59 ISBN: 978-0802847898

Winter, Bruce W., ed. The Book of Acts in Its First Century Setting. Vol. 5: The Book of Acts in Its Diaspora Setting. Ed. by Irina Levinskaya. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1996. 316 pages. $37.08 ISBN: 978-0802866325