If you have not already done so, please take this
brief tech survey. I'm trying to figure out where you all are at technologically so that I can make best use of resources with which we are familiar.
Note the links to the syllabus above. You can get an idea of the course workload, but I'm also giving you some time to get the books you need. Note carefully that you are asked to get only 3 books, ones by:
Gowler,
Hultgren or Snodgrass,
and one other from the list.
Among those "one other" books, each of them is good in their own way. I'm hoping there is some variety among the ones you choose so that we get more
perspectives reflected in our discussions.
Scott's is a bit edgy in a good way backed up by excellent scholarship
Capon's is an excellent partner to provoke you into thinking about the parables in a new way. I don't always agree, but he always was a help, including for preaching.
Buttrick's is also well-informed with a special attention to preaching.
Herzog's full book title gives you a clear sense of his perspective, and it does work well in many instances with the parables.
Schottroff's is a solid exposition with attention to socio-historical and feminist/liberation perspectives.
Please fill
out this form letting me know which books you ended up getting for the
course.
Some of you do have Bible software, but some
don't. It will help you! I use BibleWorks most, but I also can commend Logos
and Accordance. Do not go out and buy these now, however, unless you have
the time to learn how to use the programs. As some free alternatives, I
recommend the following, but as always, use with caution! Stuff that is on
the internet for free is often free for a reason:
Online sites:
NET
Bible Learning Environment: The NET Bible is a decent
translation, but it's main value is the outstanding notes it
provides. As you look at the NET Bible in the left column, be sure
to consult the NET Notes in the right column. Additionally, use the
Grk/Heb tab in the right column, and you will see how it highlights
the matching English and Greek words. Double-click on a Greek word
to get a rudimentary lexicon entry. Use the Parallel tab on the left
to see NET, NIV, NASB, ESV, NLT, MSG, NRSV, and KJV together.
Biblos:
A nice collection of resources. The Atlas alone is quite helpful.
Downloadable programs (free): There are
many, but the first ones I'd check are:
The
Word or e-Sword: The free
Bibles and such are free and are sufficient for most of our work.
I have decided to try to think of this course in
terms of weeks in the semester and that we 'meet' twice a week. I will try to be
very clear about when things are due. Note that the "noon/11PM" time
refers to your responses on the discussion board in
FishersNet Forum. Your first comment is
due by noon. Response to someone else's comment by 11pm. Those are deadlines, but
the sooner you reply the better!
A short video welcome
(For some reason, I'm having trouble making this work in WindowsMedia
Player. Give it a try, and see if it works for you. If you can't get it
to work, don't worry about it.)
Click on the graphic below to see the
Introduction to the Parables. Some things to note:
I've tried it in a couple different
browsers, and it works fine. (But it works best in IE.)
You don't need to login to watch it.
If you click on "Start Slide
Show," you can watch it in all its animated glory, but you will
not be able to read the slide notes. So, I recommend that you just
click on the "Notes" at the bottom of the screen. You
don't get the animations, but you will see the notes. The screen
should look like the graphic below.
As another option, you can also choose to
"Download" the PPT. This one is only 243Kb which is
tiny.
As yet another option, you can download
this PDF of the notes pages. (It's 3.8Mb which isn't terrible.) You
definitely should not print it, however, because it's 27 pages long and
in color.
Please let
me know which of this methods worked well for you.
Gowler, WATSA Parables
Read Introduction and chapters 1-2
Respond to questions on discussion board
Complete "Which
of the following is a "parable"? Note: This will bring you to a Google Docs page which you will be
able to edit. It's intended to get us thinking about parables and also to
get us acquainted with a coding system we will use on Google Docs throughout
the semester.
After you finish the survey, go to the
discussion board and defend your choice of the best definition of a
parable. Or compose your own definition!
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Before viewing the presentation, take
a look at the Greek of the passage in Mark, Matthew, and Luke. NOTE:
I am not expecting you to answer all the questions. Greek is not a
requirement for this course. You all have had some Greek, and so I'd
like to see what you can come up with. Even if you don't recall much of
your Greek at all, look at the English translations I've set out in
parallel and see what observations you can make. Use Bible software to
help you!
As you work through the presentation, be
sure to read my notes. You will see that I ask you to go to the
discussion board at three points. I am not expecting the usual
requirements of responses and replies, but I'm hoping you are motivated
enough to want to jump in.
I'm serving this to you in a number of
formats. I'm still trying to figure out what works best.
HERE
is the presentation that you can view online. You'll get some
animations, but you'll miss some of the drama of it all! Be
sure to read the notes.
On slide 13, the audio may not work
within the powerpoint. HERE
it is if you want to play it separately. (You don't necessarily need
it.)
Note that you can download the previous
two links. Save them to the same subdirectory, and you should be
good to go.
HERE
is a PDF handout with all the notes. You will not get any
animations, and you will entirely miss the pictures that are part of
the big finale.
By Thursday, February 16, noon/11PM
Gowler, WATSA Parables
Read chapters 5-6
Respond to questions on discussion board
The
Secret Seed - Please watch this 4'30" video. (Let me know if you
can't get it to work.) Then respond on the discussion board. (Located under
"Online Presentations Discussion," then #3 on Secret Seed.)
Click
for larger view
Follow up: I'm still waiting for a couple more
to join in. Once they do, look on the discussion board, go to "My
Favorite Definition of a Parable." I will your results from the survey.
Once that's up, respond to the "So, what do you think?" thread.
By Monday, February 20, noon/11PM
So far, so good! I've been pleased with your
responses! I can assure you that I've been reading all your postings on the
discussion board, and I'm doing my best to respond in a timely manner.
So far, so much work! I'm still trying to find
my rhythm for this class and to find a way to make this work without burning
out. How has the work load been for you? I'm working on the basis
of a 3 hour class + 1.5 hours homework / in-class time = about 7.5 hours of
week that you should be working on this class. How is it going so far? Let
me know.
Gowler, WATSA Parables
Read chapter 7 and Conclusion
Respond to questions on discussion board
I have forgotten to mention that with each
parable we cover, I would like you to read that section in the Hultgren or
Snodgrass book as well as the "other book" you got.
By Monday, watch the Luke 15, Lost &
Found video (~25minutes long)
Watch it on YouTube
Read: Hultgren (46-91) or Snodgrass (93-143)
Respond on the Discussion Board
Reminders and looking ahead...
I will be updating the course
schedule.
As noted above, as we work on a parable, you
should plan to read that section about it in Hultgren/Snodgrass and in your
"other book." (Your "other book" will not necessarily
have every parable discussed in it.)
You will see that we finish Gowler this week.
Next week I am asking you to read the Introductions in Hultgren or
Snodgrass. Then we will be done with those types of readings! Do note,
however, that you will be providing a summary reflection on your "other
book" by March 16. (This will be done on Blackboard.) So, as we are
working on a a parable, I'm hoping your discussion comments will reflect
insights from that book but that you will also be accumulating more general
observations. I've opened discussion forums on Blackboard for each of the
books if you want to write in your comments there as we go.
I will give more specifics later, but note when
you are scheduled to introduce and re-present your parable. You should be
starting to work on your chosen focus parable.
One thing to start doing now is to settle on
a translation. I am not asking you to come up with your own
translation (though that would be nice!). I am asking you to look at a
variety of translations and choose one or adapt one that you want to
use.
A nice way to see if the translation
reflects your reading is to create a Wordle
of it. (Cf. the Wordle using my own translation of the Secret Seed
parable.)
By Thursday, February 23, noon/11PM
Read Hultgren, The Parables of Jesus,
pages 1-19 OR Snodgrass, Stories with Intent, pages 1-35
(37-59). The reading guides are simply to help you identify key elements as
you read.
Hultgren
As you are reading the
introductory chapter, answer the questions in this Hultgren
Reading Guide. (You will be doing this collaboratively. Everyone
reading Hultgren contribute as you are able.)
After reading the introductory
chapter, check out this
review (which is not of great help...).
John: I see that everyone else got
Snodgrass. You are on your own, but since you are auditing, you
don't have to do it!
Snodgrass
As you are reading the
introductory chapter, answer the questions in this Snodgrass
Reading Guide. (You will be doing this collaboratively. Everyone
reading Hultgren contribute as you are able.)
After reading the introductory
chapter, check out this
review (which is quite perceptive...)
By Monday, February 27, noon/11pm
As you may have noted, I slowed things down just a bit. We just focused on
the Hultgren/Snodgrass readings and didn't move on to the next parable.
In the next few weeks, I'm planning for us basically to cover a parable
per session. Here's the rhythm I'm hoping you will get into:
View my parable presentation video.
As you watch it, pause it as necessary. I'm trying to keep the videos
short, so I won't always read all the text on the screen.
Consult the Greek text and other English translations as you go along
with the video.
After viewing the video, read the appropriate sections on this parable
in Hultgren/Snodgrass and in your 'other' book. (Note: Your other book
will not necessarily have every parable in it. I've provided page
numbers if I know them.)
Go to the Discussion Board, click on the "Online Presentations
Discussion," look for the thread related to the parable and hand. Your first comment is due by noon. Respond to someone else's comment by 11pm. Those are deadlines, but the sooner you reply the better!
Wheat and Weeds: Matthew 13.24-30, 36-43
Hultgren (292-303); Snodgrass (191-216); Scott (-); Capon (84-93); Buttrick (90-99); Herzog
(?); Schottroff (~204-208)
Wheat and Weeds: This is a 47Mb file you can view/download. If that doesn't
work, here is the version I uploaded to YouTube.
“Over My Dead Body” (Good Samaritan) [Lk 10.29-37: Pr10C]
Good Samaritan available in a variety of formats
62
minute Podcast (6Mb 3GP file should work on smartphones;
recording of live presentation)
62
minute Podcast (15Mb MP3 file should work on most devices;
recording of live presentation)
Click on the 37 minute video below (or to open in YouTube)
After viewing/listening to the video, respond on the discussion board.
We will be looking at all of Luke 10.25-37, but if you are able, look
at the Greek in 10.30-35.
Read: Hultgren (93-103) or Snodgrass (338-361) and one of following:
Scott (55-64); Capon (201-218); Buttrick (178-184)
NewMediaBible.org
site (Archived: the original site was apparently abandoned...) This
is/was an amazing site, and it's a real shame that ABS let it disappear.
It may be acting flaky on the Archive site, but play around with it.
Note all the multimedia links as well as the three 'layers' of
information.
Parables
of Jesus (online Zotero library): Using Zotero (a wonderful, free
bibliographic tool), I have created an online bibliography of books related
to the parables of Jesus. If you join the group, you can add more titles to
the group library.
The parable of the Unjust Manager in Luke
16.1-13
Read
the the parable of the Unjust Manager in Luke 16.1-13 in a few different
English versions ( while consulting the Greek if you are able). But cf. #3 below before
you do.
Read
about this parable in the secondary sources you have.
Hultgren (146-156); Snodgrass (401-418); Scott ( ); Capon (302-309);
Buttrick (209-216 ); Herzog (233-258)
Share
some of your opinions about the parable by answering the questions on
this page.
NOTE: I am not expecting that each of you will answer all the
questions! If you have something to contribute, just jump in. Add to
or comment upon each other's work. I am not looking for 'right'
answers here. (You will see that good answers are hard to come by!)
By Tuesday, March 13, noon/11PM
Watch the video (~15 minutes)
Respond to questions on discussion board (look under Online Presentations
for 10.Unjust Manager)
By Thursday, March 15
Provide the summary reflection on the "other" book you are
reading. (Capon, Buttrick, Scott, or Herzog) I am not expecting
that you have read the whole book, but by now you should have a pretty good
idea of how this author approaches the parables in general. Hopefully you
should also have some opinions about whether you are persuaded by the
approach or not. Your summary reflection only needs to be about 200 words.
It can be the sort of brief review that gets posted on Amazon, and actually
I would encourage you actually to post your summary there. If you want to
write a longer review, that's up to you. Do share your summary on the
message board under the "'Other Book' Reflections" forum. There is
a thread for each book, and some of you have already shared some thoughts
there. If you also post on Amazon, share the link. Comment on each others
posts (and you can do so on Amazon as well). Ultimately I would like to know
if you recommend the book or not and what sort of readers might most
appreciate it.
"Just Don’t Call Me Late for Supper" (Great Supper)
Read Matthew 22.1-14 (lectionary: Pr23A) and Luke
14.15-24 and Gospel of Thomas 64 (GT here
or w/ 3 translations and commentary here)
Read Hultgren (332-341) or Snodgrass (299-326)
Read one of: Scott (111f.); Capon (272-293 & 455-465); Buttrick
(156-166); Herzog (); Schottroff (38-48)
Go to discussion board (look under Online Presentations)
By Tuesday, March 19
"Just Don’t Call Me Late for Supper" (Great Supper)
Watch videos. I've decided to share this with you in 3 parts. The
first video is the general one, but it mainly focuses on the version
of the parable in Luke. The second one is a stop-animation (sort
of...) rendition of the parable in Matthew. I have used this video
with the next which is an adaptation of a sermon I did in chapel at
seminary. Note: I don't know how well this sermon will work outside
a seminary setting!
Chapel Sermon: Matthew 22.1-14 (8 minutes - view on YouTube)
Respond on Discussion Board under Online Presentations, 09B Great
Supper Parable. Complete discussions by Tuesday the 19th.
By Thursday, March 22
Read through Luke 14.25-33 on the Parables of the Tower and Going to War
Read the commentaries on these parables in Hultgren (137-145) or Snodgrass
(379-388) and in your 'other' book.
Read one of the sermons on this text posted at Textweek. Go HERE
and then scroll down to Sermons and pick one to read.
Go to the Discussion Board under Online Presentations under 12A.Tower and Going to War
and reply.
By Tuesday, March 26
Watch the Tower and Going to War video (15 minutes - view on YouTube
If you have time, try to get your initial response posted by Tuesday (and
Wednesday at the latest). Look under Online Presentations, 12B.Tower and Going to War (by
3/27 & 29)
By Thursday, March 29
Have your replies to Tower and Going to War posted by Thursday.
Casey will have his presentation on the Sower and the Seed posted. (Paper
due April 23)
By Tuesday, April 2
Complete discussion of Casey's presentation.
EASTER BREAK
By Monday, April 16
Sharon will have her presentation posted by the
12th. (Paper due April 30) Complete discussion by the
16th.
By Thursday, April 19
Alicia will have her presentation posted by the
16th. (Paper due May 3) Complete discussion by the
19th.
By Monday, April 23
Tresa will have her presentation posted by the
19th. (Paper due May 10) Complete discussion by the 23rd.
By Thursday, April 26
Pharisee and Publican (mgvh) start
By Monday, April 30
Read the parable in Luke 18.9-14
Read Hultgren/Snodgrass' comments on the parable
Read the comments in your 'other' book
Be sure to check this transcript of a radio interview w/
Capon:
The interviewer just never does get it... Capon does a better job here re: the tax collector after he leaves the Temple. You sense Capon getting a bit frustrated. Read the closing exchanges where the interviewer keeps wanting to bring it around to what we have to do!
By Thursday, May 3
Pharisee and Publican (mgvh): View the YouTube
video (~14 minutes)
Respond to questions on the discussion board
By Monday, May 7
Ten Lepers presentation (mgvh): View the YouTube
video (~11 minutes)
"Misery
Loves Company" - Have mercy! This is really rough. I would need
to practice it quite a bit more, and I would want some backing vocals as
well. The soundtrack is Sufjan Steven's John Wayne Gacy, Jr. from Illinoize.
(You can download the tracks yourself as well.) It will probably help to
read the lyrics
as you listen to it. You will see that it is a revised edition of the
sermon.
Respond to questions on the discussion board
By Thursday, May 10
Return to the discussion board and go to the
online presentation listed below.
View the parable re-presentation uploaded by
classmates and post responses.
Provide initial
responses and follow-up replies.
IMPORTANT: You all, being pastoral sorts of
people, are very encouraging and supportive of one another. That's
wonderful! (See, I'm being pastoral here!) As you respond to each other,
you can indeed be complimentary, but let's see if we can get above the
level of "Good sermon" or the dreaded "That was
nice." Let's aspire to Proverbs 27.17: "Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens the wits of another." I.e., be
constructively critical. Consider the following:
How faithful was the re-presentation to
the text?
Was there a clear audience? How well
does it work for the intended audience?
Did it leave you thinking "that was
nice"? Or did it only raise more questions for you? Did it make
you want to engage in conversation with the author, or was the
author trying to present a persuasive argument that had a specific
goal? There are all sorts of possible responses, but think about
what the author was trying to accomplish, whether they succeeded,
and if you agreed with their method.
What about aesthetics? This is very
subjective. (And that's why it's better to have all of us respond
rather than just me giving my response.) Depending on the medium,
did you like the color scheme? Fonts? Music? Graphics? ...
Ultimately, what would you suggest to
the author to improve their re-presentation? What, do you think,
would make it more effective and compelling?
Re-presentations are to be posted 4 days before
the response deadline.
Look near the bottom of each forum for the new
thread with the uploaded presentation attached.
Complete discussion of Casey's re-presentation
by the 10th.
By Tuesday, May 14
Using the same guidelines as given for Thursday,
May 10, respond to this week's re-presentation
Complete discussion of Sharon's re-presentation
by the 14th.
By Thursday, May 17
Using the same guidelines as given for Thursday,
May 10, respond to this week's re-presentation
Complete discussion of Alicia's re-presentation
by the 17th.
By Tuesday, May 21
Using the same guidelines as given for Thursday,
May 10, respond to this week's re-presentation
Complete discussion of Tresa's re-presentation
by the 21st.