SYNOPTIC GOSPELS
Class Meetings & Assignments
19 April 2006
Introduction: Ratio et Instrumenta studiorum evangeliorum.
Syllabus, Texts,
Introductory Materials,
Internet resources for Synoptic study
Peruse: Textual
Criticism and Manuscript Interpretation. Biblical texts & translations
and their impact on Gospels research.
Choose the passage
or site that
will be the focus of your term paper
Is there a "Synoptic
Problem"? A brief history of research. What difference does it
make how the Gospels were formed?
The Apocalyptic Context
of I CE Judaism (Read: 1
Thess; Mk 13 and Mt 25) Historical and Cultural Contexts of Early
Christianity (See Religio-National
Groups in First-Century Judaism; review Lenski outline of "Social
Classes in Agrarian Societies") When possible during the coming week,
visit the Jerusalem Mosaic to see
what life was like in ancient Palestine (see especially the Second Temple
and Roman periods).
| Four Main Theories of Synoptic Relations & Why Anyone Cares Read & Do for class tonight: Mahlon
Smith's Synoptic Gospels Primer Trajectories in Early Christianity (Review Raymond Brown's Four Groups in Jewish-Gentile Christianity) Workshop:
The process of exegesis—who, what, when, where, how, why?
How to read an exegetical article. |
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Suppose
Mark Was First: Mark, the Markan Community, & the First Judaeo-Romano
War.
Mark's Jesus: Magician or Messiah?
Read: Mark (entire); focus on Chapters 1–5, 12–16
The Synoptic Problem
Text Excavation
Synoptic Project; Synoptic
coding systems
Workshop: How to write a critical
review.
Schedule class
presentations of reviews and research papers
Matthew
& the Matthean Community
Matthew's Use of Mark
Matthew & "Q"
Matthew's "Special Source"
Matthew's Jesus: a Greater than Moses
What If Matthew Were First?
Read: Matthew (entire); focus on Chapters 4–7, 18–20, 25–28 Workshop: How to write an annotated bibliography
Luke
& the Lukan Community
Luke's Use of Mark
Luke & "Q"
Luke's "Special Source"
Luke's Jesus: Forgiveness for the World
What If Luke Was First? (discussion of proto-Luke 1
2)
Read: Luke (entire); focus on Chapters 15; 18–24
Workshop: How
to write an exegetical paper
Other interesting topics related to Luke: matrilineality in I CE Judaism; Roman patria potestas; Pliny on Fire Brigades; Religion of Jesus)
Will the real Jesus please stand up? (Quest
1; Strauss)
LINK:
Bethsaida Excavations
Workshop: Developing
an outline; see also some tips for organizing
your argument
The Infancy Narratives (Mt
1–2, Lk 1–3)
Also read: The
Infancy Gospel of Thomas & The
Protoevangelion of James
Topic
sentence outline of paper due; Final
deadline for Critical reviews
Guest Lecturer, Prof.
Aaron Gale: "The Jewish Scribal Framework of Matthew's Gospel"
Recommended reading: Aaron Gale, Redefining Ancient Borders: The Jewish
Scribal Framework of Matthew's Gospel (Continuum International Publishing
Group/T&T Clark, 2005)
First
draft of research paper due; NB: Be sure to use inclusive
language, and remember to proofread
it first! Hints for proofreading,
editing, and revising
The
Passion-Resurrection Narratives (Matt 26–28; Mark 14–16; Luke
22–24; John 12–19; see Passion
Chart) Also read: the
Gospel of Peter;
"Passions About the Passion:
Portrayals of the Passion of Christ from A.D. 200-2004" (audio)Workshop: How to give critical feedback on a colleague's paper
Second draft of paper due on 04/05; submit two copies, one for instructor and one for your colleague who will critique it.
Synoptic Gospels Research and Contemporary Christian Theology
Final Course Evaluation
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