NT Topics. The Kingdom of God in the Synoptic Gospels

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1 October 30, 2017 DRAFT content may change but required textbooks will not change NT Topics The Kingdom of God in the Synoptic Gospels Spring Semester 2017 Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m., Room 211. Instructor: Charles H. Cosgrove Office: Pfeiffer Phone: COURSE DESCRIPTION This course examines the kingdom of God in the "synoptic gospels" (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), which share a common perspective on this topic. The chief aim of the course is to help students construct a comprehensive portrait of the kingdom as the primary symbol and content of Jesus preaching and practice as portrayed in these gospels. REQUIRED TEXTS Note: All the required texts are available in rather inexpensive used copies at Amazon.com and other online book services. As far as the synopsis, if you have not studied Greek and have no plans to do so, you may want to choose option (a), Throckmorton s Gospel Parallels in English. If you have studied Greek or plan to do so, option (b) is a better option, the Aland Synopsis of the Four Gospels in Greek and English (on facing pages). 1. Blount, Brian K. Go Preach! Mark s Kingdom Message and the Black Church Today. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, ISBN: Amazon paperback: $

2 with less expensive used and Kindle options. 2. Vena, Osvaldo. Jesus, Disciple of the Kingdom. Eugene: Pickwick, ASIN: B00MN13JG6. Amazon paperback: $24.41 with less expensive used and Kindle options. 3. Talbert, Charles H. Matthew. Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, ISBN-10: SBN-13: Amazon paperback: $27.00 Amazon Kindle: $ Ringe, Sharon. Luke. Westminster Bible Companion. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, ISBN-10: ; ISBN-13: Amazon paperback: $ Less expensive copies available used. 5. a synopsis Please choose one of the following, according to your own language abilities and interests: (a) English-only synopsis: Throckmorton, Burton H. Gospel Parallels: A Synopsis of the First Three Gospels. 5 th ed. New York: Thomas Nelson, ISBN-10: (or any other printing of 5 th edition) Amazon: $23.65 Inexpensive used copies are available. (b) Greek-English synopsis: Aland, Kurt, ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels. 10th ed. New York: United Bible Societies, ISBN: Amazon $ There are much less expensive used copies available. Optional: If you would like a more recent commentary on Luke from the Paideia series, the following is recommended but not required: Parsons, Mikeal C. Luke. Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, ASIN: B00MBTY568 Amazon paperback: $19.68 and less expensive used copies and Kindle. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: l. Attend class regularly. 2. Complete all readings as assigned. 3. Term paper: Prepare a 20-page paper on the kingdom of God in one of the gospels or on a 2

3 specific aspect of the topic, such as one of the subjects we discuss in the course. Tentative paper title, one-page outline, and bibliography Due: Final version of paper (70% of grade). Due: If you would like to show me a draft section of the paper, e.g., the first 7 pages or so, before you turn in the whole paper, I will be happy to give feedback on any such drafts COURSE OUTLINE AND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS Note that the assigned preparation for each class is listed under the class date and heading. January 31 Messianic Ideas and Scriptural (Re-)Interpretation in Second Temple Judaism Read Vena, Jesus, Disciple of the Kingdom February 7 Jesus, Disciple of the Kingdom February 14 Ash Wednesday No Class Preparation for Feb. 21: Using your chosen synopsis, examine the following kingdom verses: Mark 1:14-15 par. Matt 4:17 and Luke 4:43 Mark 8:38-9:1 and parallels Mark 14:25 Matt 6:10 Lk 11:20 par. Matt 12:28 Matt 21:31 Lk 16:16 (par.?) Matt 11:12 Lk 17:20-21 Study these passages and answer the following questions: 1. When is the kingdom? 2. What is the kingdom? What is it like? In what sense is it a "kingdom"? What reality(ies) does it embody? That is, how does it bear on the individual, 3

4 interpersonal relationships, society, creation, the political realm, etc.? This is not an assignment to be written up and turned in. It is designed to prepare you for class and to guide you in preparing your Kingdom Outline. A. The Message of John and the Baptism of Jesus B. Kingdom Sayings in the Synoptic Gospels Preparation for Feb. 21: Study Luke 4:16 30 and Luke 7: Examine Matthew s story of the Temptation February 21 Scriptures of Israel That Define the Kingdom according to Luke and Matthew A. The Scriptural References in the Stories of the Temptation B. Isaiah 61 in Jesus Inaugural Sermon in Nazareth (Luke 4:16 30) C. Isaiah 42 in Matthew 12:18 21 Preparation for March 7: study the stories of Luke 14:1 15:2. Using your synopsis, compare Luke s tellings of these stories to Matthew s. If you chose Green s Luke commentary, study what he has to say about the Lukan stories; if you chose Harrington s Matthew commentary, study his comments on the Matthew parallels. March 7 The Kingdom and the Table of God A. A Little Symposium in Luke 14 B. Eating with Sinners and Tax Collectors Preparation for March 14: Study the two stories of Mark 4:35 5:20 // Matt. 8:23 34 // Lk. 8:22 39 March 14 The Kingdom Across Boundaries A. Quiz on Blount 4

5 B. Discussion of Blount C. Boundary Crossing Exegetical focus: the sea crossing and exorcism in Mark 4:35 5:20 // Matt. 8:23 34 // Lk. 8:22 39; woman with flow of blood in Mark 5:21 43 // Matt. 9:18 26 // Luke 8:40 56; encounter with Syro-Phoenician woman in Mark 7:25 30 // Matt. 15: D. The Concept of Social Boundaries Group work: Discuss social boundaries that you have experienced. When were you the transgressor? When were you the enforcer? Preparation for March 21: study Mark 2:1 12 and pars.; Luke 7:31 50 March 21 Kingdom Hospitality Tentative Paper Title, Outline, and Bibliography due A: Mark 2:1 12 and pars. B. Luke 7:31 50 Preparation: Mark 11:1 24 and pars. March 28 The Deeds of the Messiah A. Miracles in the ancient world B. Messianic Movements in First Century Judaism C. The Prophetic Actions of Jesus in Mark 11:1 24 and pars. April 4 The Quest(s) for the Historical Jesus The Quest for the Historical Jesus Preparation: Study the parables in Luke 15. What do they have in common? How do they contribute to Luke s portrait of Jesus and his kingdom message? April 11 Parables of the Kingdom A. Hermeneutical Keys to the Kingdom: The Disciples and the Parables (Mark 5

6 4:1 33; 6:52; 8:14 21; 8:31 33) B. Parables of the Kingdom in Luke 15 Preparation: Study the parables in Matthew 13: What do they have in common? How do they contribute to Matthew s portrait of Jesus and his kingdom message? April 18 Parables of Matthew 13 April 25 The Kingdom and the Law of Moses (Sermon on the Mount) Preparation: Using your synopsis, study The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 7, noting the parallels in Luke. How does this sermon define the relationship of the kingdom to the law of Moses. Does the sermon present an ethic of the kingdom? If so, what is its nature? If you chose the Talbert commentary on Matthew, consult that commentary on the Sermon on the Mount. If you chose the Parsons commentary on Luke, consult this commentary regarding the parallels in Luke. Preparation: part 1) identify all the gospel passages you can that in some way treat the question of violence; part 2) using your synopsis, study the passion stories (Mark 14 15; Matthew 26 27; Luke 22 23) with the following question in mind: what do these stories teach about the nature of the kingdom of God? May 2 The Kingdom and the Cross (the Kingdom and Violence) A. The Confession of Peter and the three Passion Predictions (in Mark 8, 9, 10 and pars.) B. The Narratives of Jesus passion Preparation: read Cosgrove The Salvation of Jesus: A Theological Reflection on the Destiny of the Kingdom in History using Reading Guide (to be supplied). Using your synopsis, study the resurrection and appearances stories (Mark 16; Matthew 28; Luke 24) with the following question in mind: what do these stories teach about the nature of the kingdom of God? May 7 (Monday makeup day) The Kingdom and the Resurrection Research Paper due Summarizing Discussion of the Kingdom 6

7 Additional Information about Research Paper If you write a general paper on the topic of the kingdom of God in the synoptic gospels, here are some questions to consider: 1. How to define the kingdom of God 2. How to conceive the timing and fulfillment of the kingdom (existent in history prior to the ministry of Jesus? to what extent realized in Jesus' ministry? in what sense future?) 3. How does the kingdom come into being? (by whom? by what power?) 4. What are the values and practices of the kingdom (for individuals, groups)? If you choose to write on a more specific topic, you should clear the focus with the professor. Footnotes and bibliography must conform to Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7 th ed., rev. by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2007). The paper should be 20 double-spaced pages, plus bibliography. All papers should conform to the following guidelines: 1. Bibliography (following Turabian 1 ). For this paper you should have at least ten entries, all scholarly sources. 2. Proper footnote citations for quoted or paraphrased material from published sources (following Turabian). 3. The paper should have an introduction (a paragraph no more than a page) that describes the subject of the paper and the question(s) it will seek to answer. 4. The body of the paper should include 4.1 If you focus on a single passage, give a brief discussion of any relevant textual variants. 2 1 Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, 6th ed., rev. by John Grossman and Alice Bennett (Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1996). 2 Textual variants are differences in the wording of the text in different ancient manuscripts. These are discussed in commentaries. You are not expected to know Greek in treating these. Simply do what you can with what you are able to understand from the 7

8 4.2 Be sure to pay attention to the form of the passages you discuss (whether parable, saying, controversy story, etc.) and always consider how a passage functions in its context. 4.3 Include critical interaction with scholarly interpretations of the passages you discuss. Pay attention especially to arguments and evidence. Do not simply treat commentaries as authorities. 5. The paper should have a theological conclusion (1 2 pages) that discusses the implications of the passage for contemporary Christian life, focused on a particular contemporary Christian audience or a more general one. One way to think of this theological section is to consider your exegetical results through three lenses: the personal, the congregational, and the social or political. These are, of course, not distinct but related. Here is an opportunity to integrate your study of the passage with learnings from courses in other disciplines as well. Permanent and Temporary Library Resources on Reserve for Research Paper Matthew Allison, Dale C. And W. D. Davies. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. 3 vol. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, Beare, Francis Wright. The Gospel According to Matthew. San Francisco: Harper & Row, Davies, Margaret. Matthew. 2 nd ed.. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, Garland, David. E. Reading Matthew: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the First Gospel. New York: Crossroad, Gundry, Robert H. Matthew: A Commentary on His Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Harrington, Daniel J. The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina. New York: Michael Glazier, Keener, Craig S. A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Luz, Ulrich. Matthew: A Commentary. 3 vols. Hermeneia. Augsburg Fortress, commentaries. 8

9 Mark Nolland, John. The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Reid, Barbara. The Gospel according to Matthew. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, Talbert, Charles. Matthew. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, Witherington, Ben. Matthew. Macon: Smyth and Helwys, Boring, M. Eugene. Mark: A Commentary. The New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, Collins, Adela Yarbro. Mark: A Commentary. Minneapolis: Fortress, Cranfield, C. E. B. The Gospel According to Saint Mark: An Introduction and Commentary. Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary; Cambridge: University Press, Donahue, John R. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina. New York: Michael Glazier, France, R. T. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary on the Greek Text. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Marcus, Joel. Mark: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. AB. New York: Doubleday, Rhoads, David M., Joanna Dewey, and Donald Michie. Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel. 2 nd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, Witherington, Ben. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Luke Bock, Darrell L. Luke. 2 vols. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994, Danker, Frederick W. Luke. Proclamation Commentaries; Philadelphia: Fortress, Fitzmyer, Joseph. Luke. 2 vols., Anchor Bible; Garden City: Doubleday, 1981,

10 Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina Series. New York: Michael Glazier, Marshall, I. H. The Gospel of Luke. NIGNC; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Mills, Watson E. The Gospel of Luke. Lewiston, NY: Mellen Biblical Press, Nolland, John. Luke. 3 vols. WBC 35A C. Dallas: Word, Parsons, Mikeal C. Luke. Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, Schweizer, Eduard. The Good News According to Luke. Atlanta: John Knox Press, Tannehill, Robert C. The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts. Vol. 1: The Gospel according to Luke. Philadelphia: Fortress,

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