New Semester
The Spring semester started last week. This semester, I’m teaching one section of NT Greek II in the college (Southeastern College at Wake Forest), and I’m taking two PhD seminars: the Gospel of John and OT Theology.
I love teaching. Most of my Greek students were in my Greek I class last semester. I look forward to getting to know them better and helping them learn this important language. I use Dave Black’s book Learn to Read New Testament Greek in class. This semester there will be more and more Scripture translation. This usually motivated the students to work even harder.
Last week, I attended one session of the seminar on the Gospel of John with David Beck. We’re already reading Raymond Brown’s An Introduction to the Gospel of John. This has been an excellent read, though I don’t agree with all of Brown’s conclusions. I’m also looking forward to reading What We Have Heard From the Beginning, edited by Tom Thatcher. Each week, we have exegetical assignments through the Gospel, as well as being responsible for leading the discussion one week. I’ll be leading the discussion on John 17-18. Since John 17 contains one of my favorite passages concerning unity, I think it will be an interesting discussion. I’ll also be writing an exegetical paper on a passage in John. I haven’t decided which passage to study yet.
Next week, I will attend my first session of the seminar in Old Testament Theology with Chip McDaniel. We don’t have a syllabus yet, so I don’t know exactly what will be required in this seminar. I know that we’ll be reading Gerhard Hasel’s Old Testament Theology and Bruce Waltke’s An Old Testament Theology. Also, I think each participant will be writing a paper on the theology of Deuteronomy.
So, this should be a very interesting semester. Don’t be surprised if you read several posts about John and OT Theology.
Alan,
I look forward to seeing you in OT Theology. It will be my first seminar ever! I’m really excited.
God Bless!
Dougald
Dougald,
I look forward to having a seminar with you as well. I hope you and the other OT students help us NT students out.
-Alan
I think John and an OT class will be a good mix – John is really a Jewish re-interpretation of the OT in many ways. If you can you really should consider looking up Craig Keener’s two volume commentary on John – Richard Bauckham says it rivals Brown. Check it out and let me know what you think some time. I am almost envious…!
Brian,
I think the two seminars are going to complement each other very well – although I haven’t attending a session in OT Theology yet. I have not looked at Keener’s commentary on John yet, but I’ve heard good things about it.
-Alan