Witness of the Gospels

Lutheran Theological Seminary
at Gettysburg

Mark Vitalis Hoffman
mhoffman@ltsg.edu
Valentine 414
717.334.6286 x2414

MGVH HomePage at LTSG	MGVH Faculty Page	CrossMarks

Syllabus:
DOC / HTM / PDF

Schedule
Section Assignments

FishersNet
Forums

Resources &
Projects

ANNOUNCING! - J.TS07-1 International Travel Seminar to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan

SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 11: Third Annual Peeka-Party! (original Peeka Birth Announcement)

Thursday, May 11, 7:30-10:00 (or so)
Vitalis Hoffman Home: 160 Friendship Lane (west on Fairfield 1.5 miles from stoplight by seminary, right on Sunshine Ave. about 50 yards, house is straight ahead at T-intersection)
Mark and Kathy Vitalis Hoffman invite the seminary community to the Second Annual Peeka-Party. It’s a cat thing, but mainly it’s an excuse for an open house celebration. Refreshments provided, but if you want to bring a snack or beverage to share, it won’t be rejected. Hope you can come!

Wed/Fri, May 10/12: SECTIONS DO NOT MEET

May 9 Tuesday

Quiz 8 Overview (in class) - BTW, check out the discussion board on the Forum for speculations on the questions/answers to this quiz!
Read Rhoads, Dewey, Michie, Mark, pp. 147-50
Optional Matthew/Luke/John book review due at 8:45am
Course Evaluation

May 3 and 5 Sections

Translate Matthew 5.38-48 - Okay, you're all grown up now! Here are the texts in parallel, but I am anxious to see what questions these verses elicit for you.

May 2 Tuesday

Note: Due to the Tenure Induction of Prof. Erling, class will end at 11:10 today.
The Law in Matthew.pdf
DUE: Integrative Project: The syllabus states:
- "Based on the text used for the Final Exegetical Summary, each student will complete a project that integrates that text with a possible ministry application. It could take the form of a Bible study, sermon, art, music, web page, etc."
- The hope is that you will produce something that you can use in a parish setting. The best projects will demonstrate a clear relationship between your exegetical work and your project. For a Bible study or sermon, the relationship should be rather self-evident. For other types of works such as art or music, it may be helpful to include some notes explaining decisions you had to make. I hope that this turns out to be a time of creative opportunity for you! (BTW, you may work together with someone else who had the same text as you did.)
- I would like to share as many of these projects with the class as possible. If you complete yours early, please turn it in early so I can decide whether it would be helpful to present it to the class.
- Projects page!

April 26 & 28 Sections

NOTE: No sections on Wednesday, April 26 due to Spring Convocation - Please plan to attend one of the Friday sessions if at all possible; check with me if that will not work for you
Translate Matthew 5.1-12
- Sermon on the Mount & Plain.pdf

April 25 Tuesday

DUE April 25: GOSPEL QUIZ on MATTHEWJ
Read Gospel of Matthew
Read Powell, Gospels, pp. 61-84
Matthew IntroductionA.pdf and Matthew IntroductionB.pdf
Read and be prepared to discuss: Dostoevsky, “Grand Inquisitor's Tale”
- Use this guide to Dostoevsky's "Grand Inquisitor's Tale." AND Dostoevsky GrandInquisitor.pdf

April 19 & 21 Sections

Translate Luke 24.36b-48

April 18 Tuesday

Exegetical Summary Due (Cf. AN EXEGETICAL PROCEDURE for full details)
- Paper will be between 4-5 pages long (single spaced; 1.25" margins on all sides; 12 point font)
  - Section 1 is a summary of the work you did in the exegetical exercises is at most 2 pages long
  - Section 2 is the interpretive summary based on a clear thesis statement and is at most 3 pages long
- Paper is due at 8:45am. (Late papers will be assessed a minimum deduction of 10%.)
Lords Supper Traditions ExerciseTexts.pdf and Tradition Criticism Exercise Guide - We will be doing this in class. I will be providing some copies for people to work in groups.

Social Historical Criticism Lord's Prayer Exercise - We will be doing this in class. I will be providing some copies for people to work in groups.

April 12 &14 Sections - NO SECTIONS

April 11 Tuesday

DUE April 11: Gospel Quiz on Luke - based on Powell, Gospels
Read Gospel of Luke -LukeIntro2006.pdf

Read Powell, Gospels, pp. 85-111

LostFoundLuke15.pdf

April 5 & 7 Sections

Translation Notes for Luke 16.19-31
Turn in Socio-Historical Criticism Exercise

April 4 Tuesday

DUE April 4: Gospel Quiz on John - based on Powell, Gospels
Read Powell, Gospels, pp. 112-38
Work through Narrative Criticism Exercise
Regarding your Exegetical Summary paper... - AN EXEGETICAL PROCEDURE
Introduction to John - JohnIntro2006.pdf

John 9 Study (will be completed in class) - John 9 presentation

March 29 & 31 Sections

Translate John 20.19-31 - Key
Review Form Criticism Exercise
Narrative Criticism Exercise for your text - Please work through this exercise but note that it will not be turned in. We will go through it in class on Tuesday, April 4
- Narrative Criticism Exercise (this works for all texts)
- Narrative Criticism Exercise - Matthew Group
- Narrative Criticism Exercise - Mark Group
- Narrative Criticism Exercise - Luke Group

March 28 Tuesday

DUE March 28: GOSPEL QUIZ on Mark - based on reading of Powell, Gospels and Rhoads/Dewey/Michie, Mark as Story
MOVIE Time! Meet in Val Auditorium at 8:30am. Bring snacks!
- NOTE: The movie is 3 hours long. Please come early. I will start the movie at 8:30am and we will have a short break halfway through.
- http://www.gospelofjohnthefilm.com/ for info on the film
Read Rhoads, Dewey, Michie, Mark, pp. 98-146

March 20 Tuesday and March 22 & 24 Sections - NO CLASS - SPRING RECESS

March 15 & 17 Sections

Translate John 12.20-33 - Key
Finish Narrative Criticism.pdf <<<
Turn in Redaction Criticism Exercise for your text

March 14 Tuesday

DUE March 14: NonTrivial Pursuit Gospel Edition (A hardcopy of this will be distributed in class)
- Gospel Facts DOC or Gospel Facts.PDF or Gospel Facts Web Page
Read Powell, Gospels, pp. 38-60
Read Rhoads, Dewey, Michie, Mark, pp. 1-7 (8-38) 39-97
Review Quiz 3 / Historical Jesus issues (BTW, here is a NYTimes review of a recent book by Garry Wills, What Jesus Meant.)
Review NTPGE Quiz
Introduce Narrative Criticism

March 8 & 10 Sections

Translate Mark 16.1-8 - Key

Mark Introduction.pdf

Turn in Form Criticism Exercise for your text (Be sure to look over Form Criticism resources and to review in Powell Gospels, 20-23)

March 7 Tuesday

DUE March 7: GOSPEL QUIZ # 3 - based on reading of Powell, Jesus
Read Powell, Jesus, pp. 149-184
Read the Gospel of Mark: Try to read the entire Gospel straight through in a single sitting. You may 1) Read the Gospel in the NRSV or Greek or 2) Read it in Mark as Story, pp 10-38 or 3) Check out from the library and watch the video: Dramatic performance of the Gospel of Mark by David Rhoads (BS2585.5 .R47 1980z)
Review Source Criticism Exercises
Miracles & Historical Jesus.pdf

Introduce Redaction Criticism Exercise Heal Deaf Mute.pdf (Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute (and Others) Exercise texts)

Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

March 1 & 3 Sections

Translate Mark 15.22-39 - Key
Turn in Source Criticism Exercise for your text

February 28 Tuesday

Read Powell, Jesus, pp. 83-148 (note Quiz 3 due on March 7)
The Shadow of the Galilean finish
Turn in OT/NT Exercise for your text
The Birth of Jesus: Panel Discussion between Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John PDF
Introduction to Form Criticism: Introduction and Exercis e

February 22 & 24 Sections

Translate Mark 9.2-9 - Key
Source Criticism Exercise (completed in class)

February 21 Tuesday

Quiz 2 on Palestine/Social World DUE
Palestine in the Time of Jesus, pages 131-165
The Shadow of the Galilean ~ ¾
Powell, Jesus,pp.51-82
Social Differences.pdf

GoodSamaritan' Handout.pdf

Resources: Old Testament in the New Reference / OTinNT Background.pdf / Cf. Resources page
OT/NT Exercise - This exercise will be completed in class

February 15 & 17 Sections

Translate Mark 8.27-38
Tools for Exegetes.ppt.pdf
Turn in Exegetical Tools Exercise for your text

February 14 Tuesday

Quiz 1 on the Gospels DUE
Palestine in the Time of Jesus, pages 62-130
The Shadow of the Galilean ~ ½
Powell, Jesus, pp. 1-50
Synoptic Problem Resources Online
SynopticProblem.pdf
Text Criticism Exercise DUE - Note that Metzger's Textual Commentary on the Greek NT is in the Library Reference Room and on reserve. [ BS2325 .M43 1998 ] You will want to look at this! You should spend no more than one hour on this exercise. Everyone should turn in this exercise individually, but if you want help or want to help out, go to the appropriate forum on the FishersNet discussion board. (NOTE: You need the Cardo font to read these files, but the text critical marks may still not come out. You will need to consult your NET Bible.)
NOTE! - Look for an email I sent you. This exercise will NOT be graded, will NOT be turned in, should NOT drive you crazy. Spend an hour and see how far you get on your own. We will go over this together in class on Tuesday.

February 8 & 10 Sections

Translate Mark 2.1-12 - Key
Exegetical Tools Exercise for Mark 2.1-12.DOC or Exegetical Tools Exercise for Mark 2.1-12.HTM << This will be completed in class!

February 7 Tuesday

Read Palestine in the Time of Jesus, pages xvii-61 [GOSPEL QUIZ #2 due 2/21]
Read The Shadow of the Galilean ~ ¼ [Shadow Reading Guide]
Read Powell, Gospels, pages 1-37 - Working on GOSPEL QUIZ # 1: Due on 2/14
Introduction to the Gospels.pdf
Using The NET Bible.pdf
Text Criticism.pdf

February 1 & 3 Sections

Introduction to the class
Translate Mark 1.9-15 - Mark 1:9-15 Notes Mark 1:9-15 Key
Text Criticism Introduction [links and notes coming...]
Your favorite Gospel? Check in at the Discussion Board on the FishersNet Forum and respond.

J.TS07-1 International Travel Seminar to Israel, Palestine, and Jordan: Richard Carlson / Mark Vitalis Hoffman
Participants in this seminar will have the opportunity to experience first hand many of the famous sites of the Bible located in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. In addition to gaining an appreciation for archaeological and geographical features of this region, we will also be attending to other historical and cultural concerns, including a deeper insight into the dynamics of the current turmoil in this land of promise.
- Tentative Date: January 8-20, 2007 (depart/arrive BWI)
- Tentative Cost: $2790 per person (shared room; + $330 for single supplement) - This includes most everything except lunches, beverages with dinner, travel to/from airport, and some other minor incidentals.