ASSIGNMENT-SYLLABUS for Course # NT 3123 Title: The Gospels FAITH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Program: B.Th. Professor's name: Mark A. Deckard Professor's e-mail: MDeckard@juno.com, Mdeckard@faiththeological.org Semester year: Fall 2014 Dates of semester: 9/11/14-12/11/14 Day & times of class: Thursdays, 12:30-3:00 p.m. TRACS Standards: Individual courses, seminars, within graduate programs must evidence a process for the evaluation of stated objectives and/or student outcomes and competencies through objectives which can be assessed and evaluated through student performances/learning experiences at critical periods. I. Name and Description of the Course from the Catalog This course is a study of the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John which will examine their historical backgrounds, synoptic questions, authorship, theological themes and ministry applications of the four books. It will also focus on the events of Christ s life and ministry as representing the history of redemption coming to a fullness and consummation in the person and work of Christ. II. The General Curriculum B.Th. Objectives Addressed in this Course (PLO) As part of the Faith Theological Seminary curriculum this course is designed to assist the student to achieve the following objectives of this curriculum, To enable students: A. To demonstrate a general knowledge of the Bible, and the use of various Bible study tools. B. To understand theological doctrine, exhibit creative and critical thinking skills and knowledge, proclaiming and living according to the gospel of Christ towards the formation of character and wisdom towards the transformation of the world in the expansion of God s kingdom. C. To train consecrated Christian leaders for the Church of Jesus Christ. D. To encourage loyalty to the Christian faith as taught in the Old and New Testaments. E. To hold every phase of its work to the highest possible standards of scholarship. F. To defend the full truthfulness of the Word of God against all forms of unbelief, including philosophical naturalism and determinism, postmodernist relativism, historical-critical hermeneutics, and all such that undermine confidence in the inerrant Word of God. III. The Specific Objectives of this Course (SLO) Specific Objectives After successful completion of this course the student will be able to... Related Curriculum Objectives (from "II" above) 1 P a g e
A. The student will be able to articulate and engage in discussion about background issues (history, textual questions, synoptic relationships) of the Gospels. B. The student will be able to interpret passages from the Gospels and utilize them for practical ministry situations. C. The student shall be able to locate and interact with scholarly materials about the Gospels. IV. Demonstration of Learning Course assignments, guidelines for completion, due date, and rubric used for assessing student learning for each assignment 1. Class Participation and Reading of Assigned Texts - This grade will assess your overall participation in the day-to-day activities of class. Specifically it is a combination of your participation in class activities, class discussion, and demonstration of teachability. This class is intended to be largely interactive with less emphasis on lecture and more on studying the Gospels together. In addition, on your final Course Project paper you should indicate what percentage of the required reading you completed. 2. Response Paper on Video write a 3-5 page response paper to the video watched in class, St. John in Exile. Note specifically where you may disagree with its portrayal but also ways you found it helpful for you in understanding our written Gospel of John. 3. Ministry Assignment develop a sermon or bible study on a particular passage in any of the four Gospel accounts. Your paper can be in paragraph form or full sentence/paragraph outline form but should clearly present the structure of your message, essential content, and illustrations that you would utilize. Additionally, you should note in bibliographic form at least two scholarly resources consulted beyond the course textbooks. You should specify at the outset the setting your material would be intended for (Church service sermon, Sunday school class, small group study, support group setting, etc.). 4. Course Project choose from one of the following (should be 8-10 pages in length): PLO A, B, E PLO C, D, F PLO A, B, E, F Related Course Percent of Objectives (from "III") Course Grade SLO A, B, C 10% SLO A 25% SLO B, C 25% SLO A, C 40% (1) Write a paper identifying how Christ works with individuals throughout the Gospel of John. This paper would identify different individuals that Christ encounters (Nicodemus, Samaritan woman, etc.) and then analyze the interaction that He has with them specifically from the perspective of how he relationally responds, what content He presents, and how His interaction with each person is both similar to and different from interactions with other individuals. Then summarize your own thoughts on how this study should affect your ministry to people as individuals. You are encouraged to utilize creative forms of presentation within the paper such as charts or graphs or illustrations. You should utilize at least 2 references beyond the course textbooks (SLO B, C). (2) Choose a topic in Gospel studies (such as relationship to the other Gospels, the theological emphasis in Matthew, Mark, 2 P a g e
Luke or John, relationship of John s Gospel to the Epistles of John, and so on) and write a paper utilizing at least 2 other academic references to explain the questions, suggested answers, and your initial response based on what you have read (SLO A, C). V. Information Resources and Technology Needed for this Course A. Information technology suggested for the student to use in this course: 1. Logos Bible, Bible Works and Scholar's Library software (optional) 2. Any resource from the John Norris Library at Faith Theological Seminary 3. Access to the internet B. Textbooks required for this course: 1. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey, Second Edition. Craig L. Blomberg (B&H Academic, 2009)(SLO A, B, C). 2. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels, Kenneth E. Bailey (IVP Academic, 2008). (SLO A, B). 3. Gospels. You should read through the all 4 Gospel accounts during the course in two different translations (SLO B). 4. Class Notes to be handed out from the Professor (SLO A, B, C). VI. Additional Course Policies and Procedures A. Class Attendance: Attendance is expected at all class sessions, except in cases of emergency. Each unexcused absence may result in a grade demotion. Three unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the course with a D. Three times tardy (five or more minutes) to class will equal one class absence. Four times tardy will equal two unexcused absences. Five times tardy will equal three unexcused absences. B. Class participation is an essential part of the learning process. When you are in class please set cell phones in silent mode. I allow Electronic Devices in the classroom but they must be utilized for class purposes (taking notes, following computer versions of Class notes, PowerPoint, searching for information relevant to class discussion). Inappropriate use of Electronic Devices (being used for purposes other than this class) while in the classroom is grounds for a zero on class participation grade and further overall grade reduction. C. Late assignments will not be accepted unless permission has been received from me prior to the due date of the assignment. D. No Exams or Quizzes in this course. E. Calculation of course grade is in accordance with section IV (above). Grading Scale: A 93-100 B 83-86 C 73-76 D 63-66 A- 90-92 B- 80-82 C- 70-72 D- 60-62 3 P a g e
B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69 F 0-59 F. Please feel free to contact me personally through e-mail, Mdeckard@faiththeological.org or MDeckard@juno.com, at any time. VII. FTS Plagiarism policy Seminary Statement on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: Plagiarism means representing any work (including original ideas and opinions) as your own that is not your own. All information, quotes, and paraphrasing from all sources must be properly documented. All work submitted for this course must be your own and written exclusively for this course. Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or effort of another person, or uses unauthorized material or fabricated information in any academic work. It includes, but is not limited to: Cheating giving or receiving answers on assigned material, using materials or aids forbidden by the instructor, alteration of academic records, unauthorized possession of examinations, the falsification of admissions, registration or other related college materials, or any other intentional use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aid. Plagiarism the offering of someone else s work, words, or idea as one s own or using material from another source without acknowledgement. Exclusive use of internet web sites for research content is discouraged. All references must be cited, NO paraphrased information. It is best to use the library databases/books for all research. Interference interfering without permission with the work of another student either by obtaining, changing or destroying the work of another student. Buying or selling of term papers, homework, examinations, laboratory assignments, computer programs, etc. Falsifying of one s own or another s records. Knowingly assisting someone who engages in A-E above. Committing plagiarism may result in the following consequences Faculty may impose the following disciplinary actions within the context of a course, o lowering of a grade or failure for a particular assignment. o lowering of a grade, failure and/or dismissal from the course. The Academic Dean, Academic Committee, and the Program Dean (responsible for the student s curriculum) may impose harsher measures within the context of the seminary such as: o disciplinary probation may include a limitation on credits, mandatory repeat of a course, etc. o suspension from a curriculum. VIII. Class Schedule Date Topic Required Reading (complete before the class) 9/11 Introduction to the Gospels Backgrounds, Critical Blomberg 1-3, Bailey 1-4 Issues, Sources 9/18 The Four Gospels Purposes, Themes, Parallels, Blomberg 4-5, Bailey 14, 21, 22, 25 Parables 9/25 Gospel of Mark Blomberg 6 10/2 Gospel of Mark 10/9 Gospel of John Blomberg 9, Bailey 15 4 P a g e
10/16 Gospel of John Blomberg 10-13 10/23 St. John in Exile Video Blomberg 14-17 10/30 Gospel of Matthew Blomberg 7, Bailey 5-10 Response paper on Video Due 10/30 11/6 Gospel of Matthew 11/13 Gospel of Luke Blomberg 8, Bailey 11-13 Ministry Assignment Due 11/13 11/20 No class 11/27 No Class, Thanksgiving Break 12/4 Gospel of Luke Blomberg 18-19 12/11 Select Passages from the Gospels Complete Reading of Bailey by 12/11 Course Project Due 12/11 FAITH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (410) 323-6211, 529 Walker Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21212, Email: fts@faiththeological.org Website: www.faiththeological.org 5 P a g e