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L. Gregory Bloomquist

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THO 3157 Acts of the Apostles

THO 3161 Mark (2012)

MA and PhD students

Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity - RRA

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THO 3157 Acts of the Apostles

Overview of the Course


CODE: THO 3157	Acts of the Apostles
CREDITS: 3 cr.	Room: GUI 201
SESSION:	Professor: L. Gregory Bloomquist (contact)
DESCRIPTION	A study of the Acts of the Apostles in the context of the New Testament and early Christian literature, and as a witness to early Christian theology and practice.
OBJECTIVES	To study a text that represents an early approach to church life and theological reflection in light of the experience of Jesus To gain an awareness of and familiarity with the critical issues around the Acts of the Apostles. To understand better the context within which early church life and early Christian reflection arose.
WORKLOAD	Class participation Required readings from the texts. In-class exams / Mid-term exam / Final exam Brief exegetical paper (5-10 pages, properly formatted, with notes and bibliography) (For the paper, please use the guidelines found in SBL HANDBOOK OF STYLE: FOR ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN, BIBLICAL, AND EARLY CHRISTIAN STUDIES (eds. P. H. Alexander and et al.; Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999). NB: The Handbook is based on the Chicago Manual of Style. The latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition) is now accessible to all SPU students HERE. )
EVALUATION / REVIEW	In-class exams (30%) Mid-term, written exam (20%) One paper on an exegetical, ecclesiological, historical, or theological point from Acts (20%) Final, written exam (30%) Please see GRADING SCALE for an interpretation of what a given grade means.
REQUIRED READING:	Bible D. Hamm, The Acts of the Apostles (The new Collegeville Bible commentary. 5; Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2005). A commentary chosen from the following list of possible commentaries, available for purchase or in the Library: Barrett, C. K. Acts of the Apostles: A Shorter Commentary. London: T&T Clark, 2002. Bock, Darrell L. Acts. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2007. Bruce, F. F. The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary (Edition no. 3, rev.; Grand Rapids and Leicester: Eerdmans and Apollos, 1990). Fitzmyer, J. The Acts of the Apostles (The Anchor Bible 31; a new translation with introduction and commentary J. A. Fitzmyer; New York: Doubleday, 1998). Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. The Acts of the Apostles. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 2003. Haenchen, Ernst. The Acts of the Apostles: A Commentary. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1971. Malina, Bruce J., and John J. Pilch. Social-Science Commentary on the Book of Acts. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008. Parsons, Mikeal C. Acts. Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2008. Pervo, Richard I. Acts: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008. Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. Pillar New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009. Talbert, Charles H. Reading Acts: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles . Rev. ed. Macon, GA: Smyth and Helwys, 2005.
SUGGESTED BIBLIOGRAPHY AND/OR WWW SITES:	Bruce, F. F. The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary (Edition no. 3, rev.; Grand Rapids and Leicester: Eerdmans and Apollos, 1990). Fitzmyer, J. The Acts of the Apostles (The Anchor Bible 31; a new translation with introduction and commentary J. A. Fitzmyer; New York: Doubleday, 1998). Matthews, Christopher. Acts of the Apostles. Oxford Bibliographies Online. Always consult RESEARCH LINKS.

Calendar for the course


DATE	SUBJECT (Notes are available here after the class)	READINGS (All readings must be completed BEFORE the class)	OTHER ASSIGNMENTS
January 9	Introduction and Overview Acts within the world of early Christianity and early Christian texts (notes)	Biblical Chronology	Read Acts 1 (and consider the points raised at the end of the NOTES) Read Hamm Identify a commentary that you will use, in addition to the Required Readings from Hamm.
January 16	The early Christian community: Acts 1 (notes)	Hamm, 5-10; 11-16; 126 NB: By January 16, you must have identified a commentary that you will use, in addition to the Required Readings from Hamm.
January 23	Mission in Jerusalem: Acts 2 (notes)	Hamm 16-23; 126
January 30	Mission in Jerusalem (cont): Acts 3-5 (notes)	Hamm 23-34; 126-127
February 6	Mission in Jerusalem (cont): Acts 6-8:3 (notes) Overview of Mid-Term Exam Presentation of possible topics for the assigned paper	Hamm 34-41; 127
February 13	Mid-Term Exam
February 20	No class: SPU Winter Break
February 27	Mission in Judea and Samaria / Mission to the Gentiles: Acts 8:4 - 9 (notes)	Hamm 42-49; 127	By February 27, you must submit your intended topic for your paper (due March 26), along with a preliminary bibliography for the paper.
March 5	Mission to the Gentiles (cont) / The Jerusalem Council: Acts 10-15 (notes)	Hamm 49-75; 127-128
March 12	Paul's Universal Mission: Acts 16-21 (notes)	Hamm 75-100; 128
March 19	No class: Professor absent for Association of Theological Schools
March 26	Paul Imprisoned: Acts 22-28 (notes)	Hamm 101-125; 128-129	Paper Due by the beginning of class (preferably in electronic form)
April 2	Conclusions and Final Wrap-up
Wednesday April 18 9.00AM - 12 Noon	FINAL EXAM

Please see CLASS PROTOCOL for an overview of expectations in the class.

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