NT744i / NT689i / NT489i JESUS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPELS July 25-29, 2016 Brisbane School of Theology is an operating name of Bible College of Queensland. We are an affiliated college of the Australian College of Theology, our ABN no. is 55009670160 and the ACT CRICOS no. is 02650E.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS UNIT Description A study of the record of the life of Christ, responding to the quest for the historical Jesus, critical concerns such as the extrabiblical Gospels and the Gospels within the canon, and how to show the relevance of Jesus message for our world today. Teaching staff Lecturer Dr Darrell Bock Phone Ph: (07) 3870 8355 (BST) Email astanley@bst.qld.edu.au Additional information Credit points 8 (NT744i); 4 (NT689i & 489i) Co/pre-requisites N/A Assessment Summary NT744i Biblical Theology Essay NT689i Exegetical Essay NT489i Biblical Theology Essay
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES AND UNIT CONTENT Learning Outcomes On completion of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Discuss current issues in the interpretation of the life of Christ with particular reference to the canonical Gospels. 2. Evaluate current methods of research on the Gospels and related sources for the life of Christ. 3. Assess contemporary presentations of the life of Christ. 4. Apply the results of current research on the life of Christ in ministry settings. Unit Content 1. Extra Biblical Evidence for Jesus 2. Putting Jesus in Context: The Jewish Setting and The Use of Ancient Sources 3. The Infancy Accounts 4. Backdrop to Jesus Ministry and the Early Galilean Ministry 5. Early Galilean Ministry 6. Sermon on Mount and Plain 7. Galilean Ministry: Miracles and Mission 8. Galilean Ministry: Kingdom Teaching to Confession; Confession and Prediction: The New Reality 9. Toward Jerusalem; Toward Jerusalem and Into the City 10. The Passion Week 11. John 1-6 12. John 7-12 13. John 13-17 14. John 18-21 15. Jesus Early Years and the Kingdom 16. Jesus Titles 17. Jesus Actions 18. Jesus and the New Community 19. A Look at the Debate over Jesus Resurrection 20. Jesus and Extra-Biblical Gospels; The Gospels and the Canon
CLASS SCHEDULE Mon July 25 8.30-10.30am 10.30-11am 11am-1pm 1-2pm 2-3pm Tue July 26 8.30-10.30am 10.30-11am 11am-1pm 1-2pm 2-3pm Wed July 27 8.30-10.30am 10.30-11am 11am-1pm 1-2pm Topic Syllabus and Introduction to Course Extra Biblical Evidence for Jesus Morning Tea Putting Jesus in Context-The Jewish Setting and The Use of Ancient Sources- I The Infancy Accounts Lunch Backdrop to Jesus Ministry and the Early Galilean Ministry Early Galilean Ministry Sermon on Mount and Plain Morning Tea Sermon on Mount contd. Galilean Ministry: Miracles & Mission Lunch Galilean: Kingdom Teaching to Confession; Confession and Prediction: The New Reality Toward Jerusalem; Toward Jerusalem and Into the City The Passion Week: Parts 1-3 (Summary) Morning Tea Passion Week contd. John 1-6 Lunch 2-3pm John 7-12 Thu July 28 8.30-10.30am John 13-17 10.30-11am 11am-1pm 1-2pm 2-3pm Fri July 29 8.30-10.30am 10.30-11am 11am-1pm 1-2pm 2-3pm John 18-21 Morning Tea John 18-21 contd. Review: Jesus Early Years and the Kingdom Lunch Review and Synthesis: Jesus Titles Review and Synthesis: Jesus Actions Review and Synthesis: Jesus and the New Community Morning Tea New Community and Era contd. A Look at a Debate over Jesus Resurrection Lunch Jesus and Extra-Biblical Gospels; The Gospels and the Canon
ASSESSMENT NT744i Pre-Reading Assignments 1. Read the Bock materials. Use Jesus in Context as a background supplement to your reading of passages. Stein is a wonderful resource on Gospel issues and matters of background. Everyone should have it. The Borg/Wright volume gives you a glimpse of how two scholars handle Jesus differently. Although not required, it is highly recommended. 2. Write two critical reviews (1,000 words total) on one of the Bock books and either Stein or Borg/Wright. (15%) Due July 29 th Written Assignments 3. Essay: write a 3,000-word essay on a Gospel passage. 1. Choose either Luke 7:36-50 (parallel passages in Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9) or Mark 2:1-12 (parallel passages in Matt 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26). 2. Develop its argument as an independent unit in the particular Gospel chosen. 3. Discuss how each of the other Gospels make use of this passage. 4. Consider any background issues that are relevant to understanding the passage. (35%) Due September 30 th 4. Biblical Theology essay: write a 4,000-word essay that is an exegetical and synthetic study of a biblical text, texts, or section of the Gospels that seeks to determine the theological meaning of that portion as it was written and then to explicate what that theology means for today. You may write on one of the following. (50%) Due October 28 th The Kingdom in any Gospel The Kingdom in any two Gospels The Son of Man in any Gospel The Son of Man in any two Gospels Christ in any Gospel Christ in any two Gospels Wealth in any Gospel Wealth in any two Gospels The portrait of John the Baptist in all four Gospels Israel in any Gospel Israel in any two Gospels Producing a biblical theology involves setting forth what God has revealed in the Bible within a designated section of Scripture (e.g. the Gospels), through a writer of Scripture (e.g. Luke), material in a selected period of time (e.g., post-exilic prophets), or across the entire canon, using the categories of the unit in question. When a student writes a biblical theology essay, the student must set forth what God has revealed in a specified portion of the Bible (e.g. the Gospel of Matthew) on a particular subject (e.g., the kingdom of God). The student must organize the divine revelation in the essay using categories that arise out of the study, or categories that the professor may specify, according to the professor s discretion. The criteria by which the essay will be evaluated are the comprehensiveness of the coverage of the revelation, the quality of the presentation of the material, and any other criteria the professor may specify. In an essay involving more than one Gospel, the student is to look especially at the similarities and differences between the portraits of the theme. Be sure to work clearly with and discuss the key texts as well as use any biblical theologies of the New Testament that can be of help.
NT689i (MDiv) Pre-Reading Assignments 1. As above 2. Write 1 critical review (1000 words total) on one of the Bock books. (15%) Due July 29 th Written Assignments 3. Biblical Theology essay: write a 2,500-word essay that is an exegetical and synthetic study of a biblical text, texts, or section of the Gospels that seeks to determine the theological meaning of that portion as it was written and then to explicate what that theology means for today. You may write on one of the topics listed for NT744i above. Your essay must include some discussion and evaluation on the various historic and contemporary interpretations today. (35%) Due September 30 th 4. Essay: write a 3,500-word exegetical essay on a Gospel passage. 1. Choose either Luke 7:36-50 (parallel passages in Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9) or Mark 2:1-12 (parallel passages in Matt 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26). 2. Develop its argument exegetically as an independent unit in the particular Gospel chosen. 3. Discuss how each of the other Gospels make use of this passage. 4. Consider any background issues that are relevant to understanding the passage. 5. Critically interact with at least three main commentataries on their assessement of the relationship between the main text and the parallel passage. (50%) Due October 28 th NT489i (Degree) Pre-Reading Assignments 1. As above 2. Write 1 book review (1,000 words total) on one of the Bock books. (15%) Due July 29 th Written Assignments 3. Biblical Theology essay: write a 2,000-word essay that is an exegetical and synthetic study of a biblical text, texts, or section of the Gospels that seeks to determine the theological meaning of that portion as it was written and then to explicate what that theology means for today. You may write on one of the topics listed for NT744i above. (35%) Due September 30 th 4. Essay: write a 3,000-word exegetical essay on a Gospel passage. 1. Choose either Luke 7:36-50 (parallel passages in Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9) or Mark 2:1-12 (parallel passages in Matt 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26). 2. Develop its argument exegetically as an independent unit in the particular Gospel chosen. 3. Discuss how each of the other Gospels make use of this passage. 4. Consider any background issues that are relevant to understanding the passage. (50%) Due October 28 th
HOW TO STUDY THIS UNIT This unit will be taught as an intensive block of 26 class hours over five days. The purpose of these hours is (1) to help you to consolidate what you have read, and put it together into a coherent framework of understanding; (2) to help you develop your skills of reading and biblical interpretation; (3) to enable you to take part in a scholarly conversation through interaction with your peers; (4) to prepare you for the research and writing you will be doing after the intensive block is completed. In the month before the intensive block you will be expected to devote 10 hours a week to your set reading. This works out to around 130 pages of weekly reading. As you read you should make notes, to help you remember and reflect on what you read. Students will further interact with the lecturer in the formation of their own essay topics, and engage in research and writing. The book review offers an opportunity to interact with a major thinker in the field. In these ways, research, analytical and synthetic skills are fostered as well as critical self-awareness.
LECTURE ATTENDANCE Please note the ACT policy (see also BST Student Handbook) on lecture attendance in the Undergraduate Handbook and the Graduate and Postgraduate Handbook. You are required to attend at least 80% of lectures. This means you can miss a maximum of one day. If you know that you will not be at a lecture, please phone or email the lecturer beforehand. If you miss more than one day in total, your enrolment for this unit may be ended. LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK Please note the ACT Late Penalties Policy (including extensions; see also BST Student Handbook). Failure to submit any individual assignment on time may result in either a late penalty or a zero mark for the assignment. PASSING THIS UNIT To pass this unit you must complete and submit each assessment item. You must also attain an overall percentage mark of 50% or more. PLAGIARISM Please note the ACT Academic Misconduct Policy (see also BST student handbook) on plagiarism. This is a serious issue and it is your responsibility both to understand what plagiarism includes and to avoid it completely. If you are found to have plagiarised, there will be serious consequences as specified in the BST student handbook. Penalties for plagiarism are as follows (from ACT Academic Misconduct Policy). First offence: Students will be subject to academic counselling, with the maximum penalty being to fail the item with no marks awarded. Where deemed appropriate, the minimum penalty available will be that students may be granted an opportunity to resubmit the assessment with a maximum of 50% for the assessment. Second offence: Fail unit, with no remedial opportunity. Third or major offence: Exclusion from any award of the ACT, or exclusion from the award for up to two years, or other outcome appropriate to the case but with an impact less serious than exclusion. In the case of severe plagiarism and/or cheating, a student may be subject to a separate disciplinary process approved by the ACT Academic Board. Colleges are required to immediately report to the ACT Director of Academic Services all offences of wilful academic misconduct, for recording on TAMS.
READING MATERIALS Texts are divided into required and suggested. The named and asterisked primary texts are translations of basic ancient extra-biblical works relevant to the world of Jesus. If one wants to gather an ancient resource library, these are the basic volumes. I have marked those volumes with an asterisk and placed them in a separate section. These volumes will be discussed the first day of class. Please do not purchase them ahead of time until we discuss them in class. Prescribed texts Kurt Aland, A Synopsis of the Four Gospels [Greek and English text version] (United Bible Societies). Darrell. L. Bock, Studying the Historical Jesus (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002). Darrell L. Bock, Jesus According to Scripture (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002). Darrell L. Bock, Jesus in Context (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005). Other recommended texts Robert Stein, Studying the Synoptic Gospels. 2 nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001). Marcus Borg and N. T. Wright, Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions (San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 2000). *Supplementary Bibliography Primary Resources NRSV with Apocrypha James Charlesworth, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha (2 vols.; Doubleday) Josephus (Hendricksen edition) Philo (Hendricksen edition) F. García-Martínez, Dead Sea Scrolls Translated J. Neusner, The Mishnah In addition, the following two works are helpful in terms of background: Craig Evans, Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies (Peabody, MA: Hendricksen, 2005). Joel Green, Scot McKnight, and I Howard Marshall, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992).
Graduate Attributes 1) They will be passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. Graduates will maintain a vibrant relationship with God, be passionate about following Jesus and walk by the Spirit in every area of life. They will seek to love God above all else and others as themselves in attitudes, words and deeds. They will be imitators of Jesus, obey His Word, deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus wherever He may lead (Mark 8:34). 2) They will have a sound knowledge of the Bible. Graduates will have an in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of the Bible. They will be committed to the infallibility and authority of the Bible as God s Word in everything pertaining to salvation and the Christian life (2 Tim 3:14-17). They will do their best to be good teachers of the Bible who correctly explain the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). 3) They will have genuine humility and demonstrate faithfulness in life and ministry. Graduates will live lives of holiness, humility and faithfulness. They will be willing to acknowledge their shortcomings and mistakes, and be open to receive constructive criticism and advice. They will do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility will consider others better than themselves (Phil 2:3). They will be prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ, knowing that we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). 4) They will be effective communicators of the Gospel. Graduates will know the Gospel and will be eager and able to communicate the Gospel, especially in word, but also through writing and other media, in ways that are culturally sensitive and intelligible to others. They will have compassionate hearts, listening empathetically to people in their particular contexts. They will be ready to preach the Word at any time with patience and care (2 Tim 4:2), trying to persuade people to believe the Gospel and to become followers of Jesus (2 Cor 5:11). 5) They will have a great commitment to God s mission. Graduates will be aware of the needs and opportunities of local and global mission. They will endeavour to see the coming of God s kingdom in every sphere of life, strive for justice for the poor and work towards community transformation. They will be passionately committed to and will be active in working towards the fulfilment of the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20). 6) They will be committed to team ministry and servant leadership. Graduates will be committed to the local church as the family of God and as their context for ministry and base for mission (Heb 10:24-25). They will work enthusiastically and cooperatively with others in ministry teams. They will be open to Christians across various evangelical denominations and churches (Luke 9:49-50). As leaders they will be disciple-makers, following the Lord Jesus in serving, leading by example, and training and mentoring other leaders (Mark 10:43-45). 7) They will be competent in basic ministry skills. Graduates will be competent in basic ministry skills, including preaching, teaching, leading and caring for people. They will use their gifts to implement constructive change in the church and community (1 Tim 4:6-16). They will be culturally attuned and flexible in dealing with a range of issues (1 Cor 9:19-23). They will embrace accountability and maintain professional standards in various contexts. They will be salt and light in the world (Matt 5:13-14) and be able to prepare God s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Eph 4:12). 8) They will be committed to lifelong learning and personal growth. Graduates will be proactive in expanding their knowledge and abilities. They will be open to new challenges, be willing to face unfamiliar problems and accept wider responsibilities. They will continue to grow in faith, knowledge and maturity, forgetting what is behind and pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:13-14).