SPRING 2007 Dr. Mark Vitalis Hoffman

The four canonical gospels have stood at the core the church's faith, confession, and witness. A basic understanding of these foundational Biblical books is essential for those called to rostered ministry in order to listen to God’s Word in community and function as leaders in church and world through worship, education, service, and encouragement. Understanding the gospels includes engaging in critical reading and reflection on these texts as well as studying their social, literary, cultural, historical, source, theological, and textual dynamics. In this course, students will be introduced to the basic aspects of exegeting texts in their original language as foundational work for preaching, teaching, and integrating gospel texts for the life of the church. Through studying the four gospels, students will also come to a greater understanding of the early Christian proclamation of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection as well as the meaning of discipleship and mission in the 1^st century and the 21^st century. The study of four distinct gospel narratives will also highlight the theological diversity that is fundamental to the biblical witness and to the life of the church at the crossroads of history and hope.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able:

to describe the basic literary and theological framework of each gospel story (including themes such as Christology, soteriology, discipleship).

to characterize the religious, social, geographical, and historical dynamics of 1^st century Palestine as they relate to the life of Jesus, the growth of early Christian movements, and the formation of each gospel story.

to demonstrate an ability to engage in a critical reading of select gospel texts in order to discern and communicate what those texts originally proclaimed in their canonical contexts and what they may proclaim to individuals and the church today.

to present exegetical studies on assigned gospel passages using the Greek text as well as text, source, form, redaction, and narrative criticisms.

to explain the basic issues and attendant problems involved in scholarly quests for the historical Jesus.

to articulate dynamics related to the ethics of reading Biblical texts including the significance that language has for communicating the Bible’s message in contemporary contexts.

to integrate the discoveries and studies from this course with their experiences and studies in Teaching Parish and in the Homiletics courses.

 

 

STRATEGIES

In order to accomplish the stated Objectives of this course, the following Strategies will be employed:

1. CLASS SESSIONS

All sessions meet in Valentine 310. Class will be held twice each week:

Large Group: Tuesday 8:45-11:40 a.m.

Small Group: Section A (8:45-10:00 a.m./Wednesday)

Section B (8:45-10:00 a.m./Thursday)

Section C (10:25-11:40 a.m./Thursday)

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BRING THE NET BIBLE TO EVERY CLASS (both large and small groups).

2. CLASS PARTICIPATION

The students will be expected to attend class regularly; to have read all required readings prior to class; to accomplish all pertinent translations/exegeses; and to be prepared to discuss the topics for each class session.

3. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

Students will be expected to hand in all assignments on time. Assignments will be accepted past the due date ONLY if the reason for tardiness is commissural with a reason why a rostered leader would not be prepared to preach or teach as expected by their congregation on a given Sunday.

4. REQUIRED READING

The following are included as the required texts for this course:

The New Revised Standard Version Bible with Apocrypha (recommended: HarperCollins Study Edition or Zondervan’s NRSV Student Bible or The Access Bible)

NET Bible Nestle-Aland²⁷ Diglot (http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=2056)

Theissen, Gerd. The Shadow of the Galilean: The Quest of the Historical Jesus in Narrative Form

Hanson, K.C. and Douglas E. Oakman. Palestine in the Time of Jesus: Social Structures and Social Conflicts

Powell, Mark Allan. Jesus as a Figure in History: How Modern Historians View the Man from Galilee

Powell, Mark Allan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels

Rhoads, David, Joanna Dewey, and Donald Michie. Mark as Story. An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel

RECOMMENDED READING (NOT required, but optional extra credit possible)

Powell, Mark Allan. God with Us: A Pastoral Theology of Matthew's Gospel

Carter, Warren. Matthew: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist

Green, Joel B. The Theology of the Gospel of Luke

Smith, D. Moody. The Theology of the Gospel of John

Malina, Bruce J. and Rohrbaugh, Richard L. Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels

Note: there may also be periodic readings from other texts that may be found on reserve in the LTSG library or on the Internet

 

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS

A. Quizzes

Throughout the semester students will receive 7 take home quizzes that will be based on the readings for the coming week. Students may work individually or with one other member of the class for the quizzes (i.e., if a student works individually, she/he is expected to do so for all of the quizzes; if a student works with a class partner, she/he is expected to do so for all of the quizzes). Quizzes are due at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. One final quiz will be given in class on the last day of the course. The quiz schedule may be found in the Course Schedule below.

B. The Non-Trivial Pursuit Gospel Edition Quiz

In the 2nd week of the course, students will receive The Non-Trivial Pursuit Gospel Edition Quiz take home assignment that will be due Tuesday, March 13. More specific instructions will be given at the time this assignment is distributed.

C. Exegetical Summaries

Students will pick one of the following passages at the beginning of the semester to use for their focused exegetical summaries and final exegetical paper.

o Matthew 5.43-48 (Love for enemies: Epiphany 7A)

o Mark 10.46-52 (Bartimaeus: Proper 25B)

o Luke 7.11-17 (Widow of Nain: Proper 5C – used 6/10/07)

o John 12.1-8 (Woman anoints Jesus: Lent 5C – used 3/25/07)

Focused Exegetical Summaries: 8 of these will be due at the sections meetings as noted in the syllabus. These summaries will usually be less than 1 page long.

The Final Exegetical Paper is due on Tuesday, April 17 by 8:45 a.m. and should be between 4-5 pages long (single spaced; 1.25" margins on all sides; 12 point font). This paper should reflect but not repeat the work of your exegetical summaries.

D. Integrative Project

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 completed project is to be handed in at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1.

E. Optional Extra Credit
Students may choose to write a 1-2 page book review of one of the books in the "Recommended Reading" list. This review needs to be turned in by the last day of class.

EVALUATION

Evaluation of students will be as follows:

Quizzes: 15 %

Non-Trivial Pursuit Gospel Quiz: 10 %

Focused Exegetical Summaries: 25 %

Final Exegetical Summary: 25 %

Integrative Project: 10 %

Classroom Preparation and Quality Classroom and Online Participation: 15 %

Extra Credit: 1-2 page Book Review (Matthew/Luke/John) up to + 4%

To receive a passing grade for the course students will need to attain at least 70% total

For those taking the course for a grade: 70-79 = C; 80-92 = B; 93-100 = A

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK OF: TOPIC	TUESDAY CLASS WORK DUE - READING ASSIGNMENT	WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY SECTIONS Translation Text / EXERCISE DUE
January 30 Getting a Grip on the Situation		NO SECTION MEETINGS Attend Hein-Fry Lectures on Thurs.
February 6 Jesus’ World Part I	§      (Working on Quiz 1 Due on 2/13) §      Palestine in the Time of Jesus, pages xvii-61 §      The Shadow of the Galilean ~ ¼ §      Powell, Gospels, pages 1-37	Mark 1.9-15 1LentB Text Criticism Exercise
February 13 Jesus’ World Part II	§      Quiz 1 on the Gospels §      Palestine in the Time of Jesus, pages 62-130 §      The Shadow of the Galilean ~ ½ §      Powell, Jesus, pp. 1-50	Mark 2.1-12 7EpiphB Exegetical Tools Exercise
February 20 Jesus’ World Part III	§      Quiz 2 Palestine / Social World §      Palestine in the Time of Jesus, pages 131-165 §      The Shadow of the Galilean ~ ¾ §      Powell, Jesus, pp.51-82	Mark 8.27-38 2LentB (=8.31-38) // Proper 19B OT / NT Exercise
February 27 Jesus’ World Part IV	§      Powell, Jesus, pp. 83-148 §      The Shadow of the Galilean finish	Luke 9.28-36 TransfigurationC (2/18) Source Criticism Exercise
March 6 Mark’s Story  Part I	§      Quiz 3 on Historical Jesus §      Powell, Jesus, pp. 149-184 §      Gospel of Mark	Mark 16.1-8 EasterB Form Criticism Exercise
March 13 Mark’s Story  Part II	§      NonTrivial Pursuit due 3/14 §      Powell, Gospels, pp. 38-60 §      Rhoads, Dewey, Michie, Mark, pp. 1-7 (8-38) 39-97	John 20.19-31 2EasterB (4/15) Redaction Criticism Exercise
March 19-23 - SPRING RECESS – NO CLASS
March 27 Matthew’s Story Pt I	§      Quiz 4 on Mark §      Rhoads, Dewey, Michie, Mark, pp. 98-146	Matthew 5.1-12 4EpiphA – AllSnts. Narrative Criticism Exercise
March 28 – Optional Preaching Workshop on John 20.19-31 text: 4:15PM, Val 206
April 3 Matthew’s Story Pt II	§      Quiz 5 on Matthew §      Gospel of Matthew §      Powell, Gospels, pp. 61-84 §      Dostevysky, “Grand Inquistor’s Tale”	Matthew 5.38-48 5EpiphanyA Socio-Historical Criticism Exercise
April 6, Good Friday – NO CLASSES
April 10 Luke’s Story  Part I	§      Quiz 6 on Luke §      Gospel of Luke §      Powell, Gospels, pp. 85-111	NO WEDNESDAY NO FRIDAY SESSIONS
April 17 Luke’s Story  Part II	§      Exegetical Summary Due §      The Gospel of John (video in class)	Luke 16.19-31 Proper21C
April 24 John's Story  Part I	§      Quiz 7 on John §      Powell, Gospels, pp. 112-38	Luke 24.36b-48 3EasterB
April 25, Wednesday – Spring Convocation – NO CLASS Special arrangements will be made: Attend the Thursday Session if possible
May 1 John's Story  Part II	§      Integrative Take Home Project due 8:45am, 5/2 If you complete your project early, please submit it to me for use in class on the 2nd.	John 1.1-14 ChristmasEve/Day ABC Christmas2ABC
May 8 Putting It Together	§      Quiz 8 Overview (in class) §      Rhoads, Dewey, Michie, Mark, pp. 147-50 §      Optional Matthew/Luke/John book review due at 8:45am, 5/10	NO WEDNESDAY NO THURSDAY SESSION