NT 615/915 EXEGESIS OF LUKE Aída Besançon Spencer Office: Goddard Library #110; home: 10 Maple St., S. Hamilton, MA 01982 An exegetical study of the Greek text, with attention to the unique theological themes, structure and historical context of Luke. Class sessions will be divided between lectures and translation discussions in order to create an environment which allows Luke s text to speak with its original force. GENERAL GOALS 1. The primary goal for the lectures and assignments is to create opportunities for Luke s text to speak to us. What is Luke s perspective(s)? Who is the Jesus he tells us about? What is he like? What does the Gospel of Luke signify and how may we apply it to contemporary situations? In the process, at the affective level we will simultaneously aim to further an enjoyment and awe of God and of the New Testament. 2. As important as it is to learn data about the Gospel of Luke, it is also important to become equipped in the skills with which people can exegetically interpret the text. This course addresses the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Mission statement by: a) Encouraging students to become more knowledgeable of the structure and theology of the Gospel of Luke in its historical milieu and more competent in using language, interpretative, and application skills learned in NT502 and Greek 1 & 2 (mission goal 1). Students will be encouraged to become creative, original, careful scholars who employ primary source materials, and who allow their conclusions to flow from a careful and accurate reading of the text ; b) Introducing students to the Christian scholarship issues in Luke (mission goal 2); c) Helping students mature in their character, outlook, conduct, relationships, and involvement in society by the teacher s model, class dialogue, mentoring opportunities, and prayer (mission goal 4); d) Providing resources and strategies that will lead to effective local and global ministry, missions, evangelism, and discipleship as evident in Luke (mission goals 3, 5, 6). ASSIGNMENTS 1. Read Luke-Acts and other readings. 2. Complete a historical context study (3-6 pp.) of Luke by week 2 (Sept. 18, grace Sept. 20) (10%). Hand in an outline (1-2 pp.) and a character /thematic study (1 p.) of the Gospel of Luke by week 4 (Oct. 2, grace Oct. 4) (20%). See How to Write a N.T. Exegesis Paper for sale and on reserve. These papers may be rewritten up to week 9 (Nov. 6). Hand in both drafts + original cover sheet. 3. Complete an exegesis paper (55%) (double-spaced), due week 8 (Oct. 30, grace Nov. 1). Optional redone final paper due week 12 (Nov. 29).
2 8-12 pp. (double spaced) exegesis paper with interpretation and a brief (1-2 page) application (sermon or lesson outline), an appendix (sentence flow, etc.) and a bibliography of books used. The interpretation should include your own translation and lexical, grammatical, literary and Jewish/Greco-Roman studies and at least one study of a textual variant. When the chapter is covered in class, the findings will be briefly presented to the class. Th.M. candidates will write 13-17 pp. 4. The completion of the required translation (8%), journal (1%), and reading (1%), is 10% of the final grade. Grammar quizzes (5%) will be given weeks 2 and 12. The higher grade will be recorded. If the second quiz does not have at least a grade of D, the grade on the first quiz will be penalized by one grade. Keep a journal with Greek words which were not recognized, notes of insights, and questions encountered in reading Luke. Present one or two insights at every translation session. After up to 4 hours of continued translation on a one-week assignment, full credit may be received. Completion of self-evaluation due last class. Competence in Greek is necessary for a passing grade for the course. 5. For extra credit: to help in-between grades read one of the Books of Selected Topics. The books under Luke as Historian are recommended. In addition, the student is very much encouraged to read from the bibliography or on any topics which give light to the Gospel of Luke or to the topic of exegesis. For grading purposes, border factors are attendance, completion of required reading, extra reading, and effort. Th.M. candidates are required to do one book (at least 200 pp.) review from the bibliography. WEEKLY SESSIONS WEEK 1 A. Goals and questions. Introduction to course, procedures, requirements. (Sept. 11, 13) B. Explain character study, outline, historical context. How to write an exegesis paper. Assignments for next class session: Complete historical context study of Luke by week 2. Translate Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-5. Be ready for a quiz on those verses. Bring at least two insights from Greek text. Skim read Lucian, How to Write History, before week 3. Read Luke-Acts; choose passage for exegetical study by week 4. WEEK 2 A. Who wrote Gospel? Quiz. (Sept. 18, 20) B. What can we learn about the author? I Luke s Translate Luke 1:1-4 [Acts 1:1-5]. Preface Assignments: Finish Lucian. Complete Constant Witnesses in Luke sheet (indicate all uncials and papyri). WEEK 3 A. Questions raised by 1:1-4. Historicity and Reliability (Sept. 25, 27) B. To whom written? From where and when written? (if time allows) (11:15 a.m. optional review how to do a word study) Assignments: Translate Luke 1:5-25. Complete character and outline study of Luke by next week.
3 WEEK 4 A. Translate 1:5-25. Discuss. Purpose (if time allows) discussion. (Oct. 2, 4) B. Genesis Project (2) (and American Bible Society) films on Luke (4 short films) (11:15 a.m. optional review text criticism) II Attestation Assignments: Translate 7:36-50 for next class. Bring synoptic parallels to class. to Jesus before Write exegesis paper. he begins His ministry (1:5-4:13) WEEK 5 (Oct. 8-12) Reading Week, no class sessions WEEK 6 A. Translate 7:36-50 (Oct. 16, 18) Problems with form criticism sinful woman. III Jesus B. Overview of Jesus Life Ministry Reign of God What is it and why so important (1 hour) centers (11:15 a.m. optional review sentence flow) around Galilee Assignments: Translate 8:1-15. Do a sentence flow of 8:5-8 for class. (4:14-9:50) Prepare 8:3 text evidence: autois vs. autō. WEEK 7 A. Translate 8:1-15. Go over sentence flow. (Oct. 23, 25) B. Parables what they are and how to interpret Assignments: Translate 10:1-12, 25-37. Optional read 10:38-42. Read Global God, ch. 4. Count all the electrical appliances in your dorm room/apartment/home. Complete final paper by next week. WEEK 8 A. Translate 10:1-12, 25-37 (Oct. 30, Nov. 1) B. Laborer deserves wages Stewardship IV Jesus Assignments: Read chapters 1-2 on Lord s prayer in The Prayer Life of Jesus and Ministry Benedictions (Berakoth) in the Mishnah (trans. Herbert Danby or J. Neusner) and after he I.7 in Eusebius Church History. Translate 11:1-23. determines to go to Jerusalem (9:51-19:44) WEEK 9 A. Translate 11:1-23 (Nov. 6, 8) Mary and Martha B. The Greek Words for Prayer (2 classes) Assignments: Translate 18:1-14. Read Beyond the Curse ch. 2. WEEK 10 (Nov. 12-16) Reading Week, no class session
4 WEEK 11 A. Greek Words for Prayer, continued. Discuss ch. 2 Prayer Life of Jesus. (Nov. 20, 22) Assignments: Complete all reading assignments by last class. Read chs. 3, 5 in The Prayer Life of Jesus. Translate 23:26-49. Prepare for quiz based on 23:26-49. B. Thanksgiving-no class session WEEK 12 A. Translate 18:1-14. The Parables on Prayer (Nov. 27, 29) V. Jesus teaches Daily in the B. Quiz on Luke 23:26-49. Temple at Translate 23:26-49. Jerusalem Theology versus History the Darkness (19:45-22:53) Assignments: Bring self-evaluation to last class. VI. Jesus is Read article on Fear Bulletin for Biblical Research 2 (1992), 59-73. Arrested, Crucified & Raised (22:54-24:53) WEEK 13 (Dec. 4, 6) A. Words of Astonishment in Luke. Complete self and class evaluation. Summary of what was learned in Luke B. Back-up day in case of earlier cancellation
5 BIBLIOGRAPHY ** textbooks (all will be read) Sakae Kubo. A READER S GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICON OF THE N.T. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975 (Ref. PA 881.K8)0310269202 OR Michael Burer & Jeffrey Miller. A NEW READER S LEXICON OF THE GREEK N. T. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008 9780825420092 will be used regularly Lucian. HOW TO WRITE HISTORY, trans., K. Keburn, The Loeb Classical Library, VI. Cambridge: Harvard University, 1959. 9780674994744 PA 3612.L963 v.6 read whole book Aida Besançon Spencer and William David Spencer. THE PRAYER LIFE OF JESUS: SHOUT OF AGONY, REVELATION OF LOVE. Lanham: University Press of America, 1990. BV229.S646 0819177792 Will be read (Study Guide optional, available for church use) *textbooks (part will be read) Herbert Danby, trans. THE MISHNAH. Oxford: University, 1933 [reprinted by Hendrickson] or Jacob Neusner, trans. (Ref. BM 497.5.E5) 019815402 One chapter will be read. Aida Besançon Spencer. BEYOND THE CURSE: WOMEN CALLED TO MINISTRY. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985. BS 680.W7564 9780801047748 one chapter will be read et. al. THE GLOBAL GOD. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998. BT102.G574 0801021634 one chapter will be read EUSEBIUS: THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH FROM CHRIST TO CONSTANTINE, trans., G.A. Williamson. New York: Penguin, 1989 0140445358 or trans., Paul L. Maier. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1999 0825433282. Ref. PA3612.Eu77 one section will be read *References needed to complete assignments K. Aland, ed., et al. THE NEW TESTAMENT IN GREEK, bound with GREEK-ENGLISH DICTIONARY. 5 th ed. N.Y.: American Bible Society, 1975. 978343805118-9, SYNOPSIS OF THE FOUR GOSPELS. American Bible Society (Greek-English edition) 9783438054050 Ref. BS2560.A2 A35 1972 will be consulted in class (also in Bible Works) John Kohlenberger, E. Goodrick, J. Swanson. THE EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE TO THE GREEK N.T. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. 9780310410300 or another concordance A Schmoller. HANDKONKORDANZ ZUM GRIECHISCHEN NEUEN TESTAMENT. 14 th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1968. or another Greek concordance Bruce M. Metzger & Bart Ehrman. THE TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: ITS TRANSMISSION, CORRUPTION AND RESTORATION.4 th ed. New York: Oxford University, 2005. 9780195161229 BS2325.M568 for reference Aida Besancon Spencer with William David Spencer. How to Write a New Testament Exegesis Paper, Step by Step. GCTS binder, 2014. *Most Helpful Commentaries A.T. Robertson. WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. II. Rev. Wesley J. Perschbacher. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2005. 0825436419 Ref. BS2341.R6 vol. 2 Martin M. Culy, Mikeal C. Parsons, & Joshua J. Stigall. LUKE: A HANDBOOK ON THE GREEK TEXT. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2010. 978-160258291-0
6 Allison A. Trites. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Stream: Tyndale House, 2006. (Includes ACTS by William J. Larkin). 978-0-8423-3438-9 *References not required, but helpful Nestle-Aland. NOVUM TESTAMENTUM GRAECE. 28 th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 2012. 9783438051400 Good for study of variant readings Donald Guthrie. NEW TESTAMENT INTRODUCTION. 4th ed. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1990. Ref. BS 2330.2.G87 good as a reference Richard A. Lanham. A HANDLIST OF RHETORICAL TERMS: A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH LITERATURE. 2d ed. Berkeley: University of California, 1968.0520076699 Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry. A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS. Chicago: Moody, 1978. (Harper) 0060635231 BS2560.T43 an evangelical complement Other Good Commentaries Darrell L. Bock. LUKE. IVPNTC. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1994. Ref. BS2595.3.B57. Culy, Martin M., Mikeal C. Parsons, & Joshua J. Stigall. LUKE: A HANDBOOK ON THE GREEK TEXT. Waco: Baylor University Press. 9781802582910 E. Earle Ellis. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. The Century Bible, New Edition. Camden: Thomas, 1966. [Wipf & Stock] Ref. BS2595.3.E4 thorough listing of historical refs., A.D. 70 Craig A. Evans. LUKE. NIBC. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1990. Ref. BS2595.3.E83 J. Alexander Findlay. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE: A COMMENTARY. London: Student Christian Movement, 1937. BS2595.F49 OP Norval Geldenhuys. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. ICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1951. Ref. BS2595.3.G45 OP Good introduction. F. Godet. A COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF ST. LUKE. Trans. E.W. Shalders and M.D. Cusin. 3 rd ed. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1890. BS2595.GS 1890 OP David Gooding. ACCORDING TO LUKE: A NEW EXPOSITION OF THE THIRD GOSPEL. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987. BS2595.3 An excellent study of literary themes OP Joel B. Green. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Ref.BS2595.3.G74 literary approach, authorship not important William Manson. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. The Moffatt New Testament Commentary. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1930. BS 2595.3.M36 OP I. Howard Marshall. THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: A COMMENTARY ON THE GREEK TEXT. TNIGTC. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1978 Ref. BS2595.3.M37 priority of Mark, 2 sources A.D. 70 0802835120 Leon Morris. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1974 Ref. BS2595.3.M67 early 60s John Navone, S.J. THEMES OF ST. LUKE. Rome: Gregorian University, 1970. BS 2595.3.N38 Alvin Padilla. LUCAS. Conozca su Biblia. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2005. Alfred Plummer. A CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. LUKE. ICC. 5 th ed. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1922. Ref BS2595.P73 www.archive.org/details/criticalexegetic28plumuoft Robert H. Stein. THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY (24): LUKE. Nashville: Broadman, 1992. Ref. BS2595.3.S74 priority of Mark, 4 sources, Luke is author
7 Charles H. Talbert. READING LUKE: A LITERARY AND THEOLOGICAL COMMENTARY ON THE THIRD GOSPEL. New York: Crossroad, 1982. Ref. BS 2595.3.T34 OP Books on Selected Topics Purpose Henry J. Cadbury. THE MAKING OF LUKE-ACTS. New York: Macmillan, 1927. BS2595.C11 Helmut Egelkraut. JESUS MISSION TO JERUSALEM: A REDACTION CRITICAL STUDY OF THE TRAVEL NARRATIVE IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, LK 9:51 19:48. 1976. Robert Maddox. THE STYLE AND LITERARY METHOD OF LUKE. Harvard Theological Studies VI. 2 vols. Cambridge: Harvard, 1920. BS 2595.C11S. THE PURPOSE OF LUKE-ACTS. Studies of the New Testament and its World. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1982. BS 2589.Z72 M32 Robert B. Sloan, Jr. THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD: A STUDY OF JUBILARY THEOLOGY IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE. Austin: Schola, 1977. Luke as Historian C.K. Barrett. LUKE THE HISTORIAN IN RECENT STUDY. A.S. Peake Memorial Lecture No. 6. London: Epworth, 1961. BS 2595.B275. John Drury. TRADITION AND DESIGN IN LUKE S GOSPEL. A STUDY IN EARLY CHRISTIAN HISTORIOGRAPHY. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1976. BS2595.2.D78 Adolf Harnack. LUKE THE PHYSICIAN. Trans. J.R. Wilkinson. Crown Theological Library. New York: G.P. Putnam s Sons, 1911. BS 2290.H22 v.1 I. Howard Marshall. LUKE: HISTORIAN AND THEOLOGIAN. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970. BS 2589.M37 W.M. Ramsay. LUKE THE PHYSICIAN AND OTHER STUDIES IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGION. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1908. BR 142 R14 A.T. Robertson. LUKE THE HISTORIAN IN THE LIGHT OF RESEARCH. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1920. BS 2589.R6 Other Topics Kenneth E. Bailey. THE CROSS AND THE PRODIGAL. THE 15TH CHAPTER OF LUKE, SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF MIDDLE EASTERN PEASANTS. St. Louis: Concordia, 1973 BS 2595.3.B27. JESUS THROUGH MIDDLE EASTERN EYES: CULTURAL STUDIES IN THE GOSPELS. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2008. William Barclay. THE FIRST THREE GOSPELS. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1966. Craig G. Bartholomew, Joel B. Green, and Anthony C. Thiselton, eds. READING LUKE: INTERPRETATION, REFLECTION, FORMATION. Scripture and Hermeneutics Series. Vol. 6. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005. BS 2595.52.R43 MaryAnn Beavis. Ancient Slavery as an Interpretive Context for the New Testament Parables with Special Reference to the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-8). JBL 111 (Spring 1992): 37-54. Craig L. Blomberg. INTERPRETING THE PARABLES. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1990.
François Bovon. LUKE THE THEOLOGIAN: 55 YEARS OF RESEARCH. 2d ed. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2006. Bibliography and summary of issues Wayne Brindle. The Census and Quirinius: Luke 2:2. JETS, 27 (March, 1984), 43-52. Royce G. Gruenler. NEW APPROACHES TO JESUS AND THE GOSPELS. Grand Rapids: Baker 1982. [Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock] BT 202.G79 Colin J. Humphreys. The Star of Bethlehem, A Comet in 5 B.C. and the Date of Christ s Birth, TYNDALE BULLETIN 43 (1, 1992), 31-56. Eta Linnemann. HISTORICAL CRITICISM OF THE BIBLE. Grand Rapids: Kregel. 9780825430954. Helpful for doctoral candidates.. IS THERE A SYNOPTIC PROBLEM? RETHINKING THE LITERARY DEPENDENCE OF THE FIRST THREE GOSPELS. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992. J. Gresham Machen. The Integrity of the Lucan Narrative of the Annunciation. PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL REVIEW XXV, Oct., 1927. Defense of historicity of virgin birth. David E. Malick. The Significance of Three Narrative Parallels of Men and Women in Luke 1, John 3-4, and Acts 9. PRISCILLA PAPERS 28:3 (Summer 2014): 15-25. Allan J. McNicol, ed. BEYOND THE Q IMPASSE LUKE S USE OF MATTHEW. Valley Forge: Trinity Press Int., 1996. BS 2555.2.B488 Dane C. Ortlund. And Their Eyes Were Opened and They Knew: An Inter-Canonical Note on Luke 24:31. JETS 53:4 (Dec 2010): 717-28. David P. Seccombe. POSSESSIONS AND THE POOR IN LUKE-ACTS. Linz: Studien zum Neuen Testament und seiner Umvelt, 1982. Turid Karlsen Seim. THE DOUBLE MESSAGE: PATTERNS OF GENDER IN LUKE-ACTS. Nashville: Abingdon, 1994. Jeffrey S. Siker. First to the Gentiles: A Literary Analysis of Luke 4:16-30. JBL 111 (Spring 1992): 73-90. Aida Besançon Spencer. Mary s Influence on Jesus Message. DAUGHTERS OF SARAH, 14 (Nov./Dec. 1988), 28-29. *. Fear as a Witness to Jesus in Luke s Gospel. BBR 2 (1992), 59-73.. PAUL S LITERARY STYLE: A STYLISTIC AND HISTORICAL COMPARISON OF II CORINTHIANS 11:16 12:13, ROMANS 8:9-39, AND PHILIPPIANS 3:2 4:13. Lanham: University Press of America, [1984] 1998.. What Does the Bible Say About Elizabeth An Upright Woman and the Mother of Christ s Forerunner. DECISION, 29 (June, 1988), 31-33. Reprinted in SHAPED BY GOD. Minneapolis: World Wide, 1990.. Virgin Birth. HOLMAN BIBLE HANDBOOK, 1992.. Literary Criticism. THE NEW TESTAMENT CRITICISM AND INTERPRETATION. eds. D. Black and D. Dockery. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991. Robert H. Stein. Luke 1:1-4 and Traditionsgeschichte. JETS, 26 (December, 1983), 421-430. Reuben Swanson, ed. NEW TESTAMENT GREEK MANUSCRIPTS: LUKE. Sheffield: Sheffield, 1995. Ref. BS 1965 Charles H. Talbert, ed. PERSPECTIVES ON LUKE-ACTS. Special Studies Series. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1978. BS 2589.Z72.P47 Paul W. Walaskay. AND SO WE CAME TO ROME : THE POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF ST. LUKE. Cambridge: University, 1983. BS2589.W34 John Wenham. REDATING MATTHEW, MARK AND LUKE: A FRESH ASSAULT ON THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1992. BS 2555.2.R35 8
American and British Committees of the International Greek NT Project, eds. THE NEW TESTAMENT IN GREEK: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 2 Vols. Oxford: Clarendon, 1984. Ref. BS 1965 1983b exhaustive listing of textual evidence. 9