The Background of the New Testament 
(NT 1505) Fall 2006

	Quiz is now online: Fill out the quiz.
	I will teach from Portland 12/14

1. Read the Letter of Pliny

2. Note parallels to the New Testament and post one parallel no one else has mentioned with your comments.

   	What did the others say?
   	Submit your thoughts here.

3. Read the PDF file of ancient letters

4. Feedback for oral Presentation: Submit your Feedback // Read Feedback

5. Continue to work on your paper. Excerpt from the syllabus:

   Paper with bibliography 15 pages. You are expected to describe a primary source of your choice, which you did not use for your oral presentation or as your book review, and demonstrate its value for the interpretation of the New Testament by relating it to a New Testament passage.  Due date: 12/7/2006.

   	How to access the ATLAReligion database (password protected PDF file)
   	How to write an exegetical paper // Guidelines for Oral Presentations

1. Finish your paper. If you can get the paper to me by 11/29, either by email or snail mail (BTS, 159 State Street, Portland ME 04101), I will try to give it back to you during class and you have a chance to hand in an improved version at our last session. The paper is due 12/7.
2. Prepare for the quiz. Relevant questions and answers. The quiz will be posted as a form on our website. You cannot use your notes or any books, honor code. You can get as many as 30 points.

3. read: Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 

   	Introduction
   	Death of Alexander

4. Note parallels to the New Testament and post one parallel no one else has mentioned with your comments.

   	What did the others say?
   	Submit your thoughts here.

1. Fill out the quiz. 
2. Finish outstanding work.
3. Read the Philadelphia Inscription

   	How is the text structured? Can you divide it up into different parts?
   	Where are rituals described?
   	Find parallels to Biblical passages and note them.

4. Please give feedback on the format of meeting for one whole Saturday to make up for three sessions

   Give Feedback // Read Feedback

5. Feedback for oral Presentation: Submit your Feedback // Read Feedback
6. Give me feedback on the class

	Instructions for book reviews. Make sure to note the editors of the edition you were using as well.
	Samples // Posted Reviews // Submit your book review by posting it to this form (copy and paste)

	Did they keep the time (10 minutes)?
	Did we understand the structure?
	How well did the media (handouts, PowerPoint, body language, activities, voice etc.) work?
	Did they provide a sense for the big picture?
	How is it relevant for ministry?
	Did they hold my attention?

	Syllabus // Schedule
	old homework
	How to access the ATLAReligion database (password protected PDF file)
	How to write an exegetical paper // Guidelines for Oral Presentations
	Gallio Inscription

	Nag Hammadi (Ann, Eric R.)
	Gospel of Mary (Sarah)
	Eusebius (Judith)

	Your thoughts on  Acts of Paul & Thecla Chariton Gospel of Philipp Qumran: Rule of the Community Eusebius: King Abgar
	Your feedback on Chariton (Roxanne, Debby) Josephus (Ezra, David) Gospel Judas (Eric G) Nag Hammadi (Mike / Carl) Gospel Mary (Sarah)

Apocryphal Acts

read: Acts of Paul and Thecla

Josephus 

	read: Barrett, 11:242-248; 7:135-137
	read: Josephus ContraApionem.pdf
	read: Josephus TheLife.pdf

Ancient Fiction

	read: Chariton part1.pdf
	read: Chariton part2.pdf

Nag Hammadi Library

	read: NagHammadi GospPhilipp part1.pdf
	read: NagHammadi GospPhilipp part2.pdf

Gospels

read: Gospel of Mary

Dead Sea Scrolls

	read: Qumran RuleCommunity part1.pdf
	read: Qumran RuleCommunity part2.pdf

Hellenistic Mystery Religions

	read: Barrett, 6:109
	read: PhiladelphiaInscription.pdf

Inscriptions

read: Barrett, 3:49 (Gallio inscription)

Letters

	read: AncientLetters.pdf
	read: PlinyToTrajan.pdf

Eusebius

read: Eusebius JesusToAbgar.pdf

Historiography

read: Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander  Introduction Death of Alexander