THTH8305 - The Bible and Contemporary Issues

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Theological & Historical Studies Division

Apr 22–24, 2024

Mon 1-9pm; Tues 8am-4pm; Wed 8am-4pm CST

Adam Harwood, PhD

Professor of Theology, McFarland Chair of Theology

Divisional Associate Dean, Theological & Historical Studies

Course Description

This course focuses upon how best to communicate the message of the Bible in order to

address contemporary apologetic issues. Issues addressed include oral and written

communication forms, apologetic methodology, biblical authority, textual authenticity, science

and the Bible, and other similar issues. Students will also study how best to communicate

biblical truth and the Christian worldview via contemporary media. Special attention will be given

to implementing these communication forms in pastoral ministry.

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Textbooks

Cowan, Steven B., and Terry L. Wilder, ed. In Defense of the Bible: A Comprehensive

Apologetic for the Authority of the Bible. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2013.

Lynch, Matthew J. Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God. Downers

Grove: IVP, 2023.

McDonald, Lee Martin. Formation of the Bible: The Story of the Church’s Canon. Peabody, MA:

Hendrickson, 2012.

Course Teaching Methodology

 Pre-Seminar Assignment 2: Chapter summaries of In Defense of the Bible

 Pre-Seminar Assignment 3: Book review of Flood and Fury

 In-Seminar Assignment: Lead Presentation & Discussion

 Post-Seminar Assignment: Submit a 4-lesson curriculum

If you are taking this course as a NOLA2U Live student, please note the following

attendance policies:

1. The course on the New Orleans campus will be connected synchronously via Web

conferencing with Internet students. These courses will require weekly attendance at the

The student's grade will be computed as follows:

 20% - Pre-Seminar Assignment 1: Chapter summaries of Formation of the Bible

 20% - Pre-Seminar Assignment 2: Chapter summaries of In Defense of the Bible

 20% - Pre-Seminar Assignment 3: Book review of Flood and Fury

 20% - In-Seminar Assignment: Lead Presentation & Discussion

 20% - Post-Seminar Assignment: Submit a 4-lesson curriculum

Attendance Policy

Traditional and NOLA2U Classes: Students are expected to attend and participate in the

class sessions. Any student missing more than nine hours may receive an automatic grade

account, online transcript, etc.)

2. Canvas@nobts.edu - Email for technical questions/support requests with the NOBTS

Canvas Learning Management System (Faculty/Students/Staff) Canvas.NOBTS.edu.

3. Video Conferencing Help Desk - Email for technical questions/support requests with the

Video Conferencing NOBTS classrooms (On and Off-Campus)

4. TelephoneHelpD[email protected] - Email for technical questions/support requests with

the NOBTS On-Campus Phone system.

5. ITCSupport@nobts.edu - Email for technical questions/support requests in the Flex

classrooms and for general technical questions/support requests. If you are not sure

who to contact, use this email address!

NOBTS maintains a Writing Center designed to improve English writing at the graduate level.

Students can receive writing guides, tips, and valuable information to help in becoming a better

writer. A copy of the approved NOBTS Style Guide can be found in the course Canvas shell, or

can be located online at the Writing Center’s page on the seminary website at:

https://www.nobts.edu/_resources/pdf/writing/StyleGuide.pdf

Plagiarism on Written Assignments

NOBTS has a no tolerance policy for plagiarism. Plagiarism in certain cases may result in

expulsion from the seminary. See the NOBTS Student Handbook for definition, penalties, and

policies associated with plagiarism.

Introduction & Chapters 1–8. Due: April 1.

summaries—concluding with two discussion questions—for each of these chapters:

1–17. Due: April 8.

words. Due: April 15.

For a helpful overview of critical book reviews, see this paper from the UNC Writing Center.

The critique should address many of the following:

 critique of the author’s thesis, assumptions, supporting arguments, method, sources,

logic, and style;

 specific examples of strengths and weaknesses (such as any relevant areas not

addressed) of the book;

 discussion of the book’s usefulness for the intended audience, how the book contributes

to its field, and other books which explore the issue;

 a closing sentence either recommending the book or not and explaining why.

Cite page numbers parenthetically. Footnote only outside sources. Use quotations sparingly.

PowerPoint presentation and fill-in-the-blank handout for listeners) and lead a 45-minute

discussion on one of these topics from the pre-seminar readings (Sign up for a topic

via this Google Docs link by April 15; the presentation will be made and discussion

will be led during the seminar):

Post-Seminar Assignment (Due Date: May 29, 2024)

Beckwith, Roger T. The Old Testament Canon of the New Testament Church: and its

Bruce, F. F. The Canon of Scripture. Downers Grove: IVP, 1988.

Carr, David. The Formation of the Hebrew Bible: A New Reconstruction. Oxford: Oxford

University Press, 2010.

Dockery, David S., and Yarnell, Malcolm B. III. Special Revelation and Scripture. TPG.

Brentwood: B&H Academic, forthcoming 2024.

Ehrman, Bart. The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological

Controversies on the Text of the New Testament. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Komoszewski, J. Ed, M. James Sawyer, and Daniel B. Wallace. Reinventing Jesus: How

Rapids: Kregel, 2006.