Fall 2002/Pasadena
NT847/NS587
M. Thompson
NT847/NS587: THE GOSPELS IN CONTEMPORARY STUDY. Marianne Meye Thompson.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course, designed first of all as a graduate seminar and open
to a very limited number of masters' level students with permission of
instructor, will use a synopsis of the four Gospels as its primary text.
Through close analysis of a variety of passages in the Gospels, we shall
consider issues pertinent to their interpretation, focusing above all on the
historical and literary character of the Gospels. Readings in the secondary
sources on the Gospels in contemporary scholarship will include matters such as
the audience, purpose, and genre of the Gospels, the relationship of oral and
written traditions or sources in and behind the Gospels, the use of the OT and
the alleged anti-Semitism of the Gospels, and the relationship of history and
faith in the Gospels, as well as in interpretation of them.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- This seminar prepares students primarily for the ministry of
teaching and research. The course will aim to help students grapple with such
issues as the historical character of the Gospels, and the consequences for our
understanding of Jesus' ministry and purpose, and the nature of
Scripture.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class meets three hours a week.
REQUIRED READING:
- Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English Edition
of the Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorum. 3rd ed. United Bible Societies,
1979.
- Bauckham, Richard, ed. The Gospels for All Christians: Rethinking the
Gospel Audiences. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.
- Crossan, John Dominic. Who Killed Jesus? Exposing the Roots of
Anti-Semitism in the Gospel Story of the Death of Jesus. San Francisco:
HarperSanFrancisco, 1995.
- Hengel, Martin. The Four Gospels and the One Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Harrisburg: Trinity Press, 2000.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Powell, Mark Alan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.
Lays out the basic information about the
Gospels with which students are expected to be familiar.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Regular attendance, preparation for, and participation in class
discussions.
- Class presentations on a portion or aspect of one of the assigned books.
- Weekly papers on the secondary reading and analysis of Gospels
texts.
PREREQUISITES:
- This is an advanced course in the study of the Gospels. For
M.A./M.Div. students, LG512, NE502, NS500 and permission of the instructor are
required.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- No.