Intro to the New Testament

The New Testament stands as the key resources for preaching, theology, and spiritual formation, growth, and encouragement in the Christian tradition. This course will give students a foundational background in the process of faithful interpretation of New Testament texts for ministry and service in congregations. We will explore the historical and cultural context of these texts in order to better understand their message for us, but we will also focus on their literary aspects—understanding both what the author is trying to say but also how he is saying it. Through this approach, students will gain not only knowledge about the texts and their content but also skills in interpreting those texts as congregational leaders, mentors, and counselors who can help those they serve to become faithful and perceptive readers of New Testament texts as both historical documents and spiritual resources for the church today.

Instructor: Dr. Judith Stack-Nelson

Dr. Judith Stack-Nelson holds a PhD in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary. She has taught at both the seminary and undergraduate levels for Fuller Seminary, St. Olaf College, Augsburg College, and Hamline University, among others. She specializes in theological interpretation of scripture and literary methods of interpretation. Her recent publications include articles on pedagogy, the biblical traditions of witness and the holy spirit, and a forthcoming introduction to the Gospel of Matthew.