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Syllabus

Jesus and the Gospels (6p/3cr) Level: Basic Subject area: Bible Studies Course code: BVNT 310

Course Prerequisites Specific eligibility for university studies.1 Course Goals As a result of successfully completing this course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding -be familiar with the political, religious and socioeconomic background of the Gospels -have a good knowledge of the historical criticisms of the Gospels, such as form criticism, source criticism, redaction criticism and canon criticism -understand the significance of literary criticisms, such as narrative criticism, reader-response criticism -account for the Synoptic problem and the approaches that have been suggested -understand the significance of oral history and the transmission of Gospel history by eyewitnesses -account for the basic structure and outline of each Gospel -account for the distinctive contribution of each Gospel in terms of theology, style and themes -be acquainted with the discussion of authorship for each of the Gospels -be able to account for the quests of the historical Jesus -be familiar with the criteria of authenticity -account for the chronology of the life of Jesus Christ -account for the events of the life of Jesus Christ, including his birth and childhood, his baptism, the different states of his ministry, his last week, the passion, the crucifixion, the resurrection and his ascension -geographically identify on a map (see attached map at the end of this syllabus) the places where significant events in the life Jesus took place -discuss the trustworthiness of the Gospels in terms of archaeology, Greco-Roman sources, Jewish sources, post-New Testament Christian sources and the rest of the New Testament

1 Basic eligibility + Historia A, Samhällskunskap A eller Historia 1b/1a1 + 1a2, Samhällskunskap 1b/1a1 + 1a2 (eligibility 1/A1)

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Skills and Abilities -use a synopsis in English to identify the distinct features of each Gospel /writer/ (vertical analysis) and to note the differences between them (horizontal analysis) -use and make reference to commentaries on the Gospels -write a well-structured and well-argued paper on a topic in the Gospels, using various sources, such as monographs, journals, commentaries and dictionary articles -write a book report, identifying key points and formulate a reasoned and pertinent assessment of the work in question Assessment and Approach -assess the validity of historical critical methods, such as form criticism, source criticism and redaction criticism in the analysis of the Gospels -assess the validity of literary critical methods in the analysis of Gospels -assess the validity of criteria of authenticity

Course Contents A study of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as presented in the Gospels and early Christian literature. Course Procedures The teaching has form of recorded online lessons. Examination Evaluation Procedures: A = 90-100 Excellent knowledge and a high degree of independent thinking B = 80-89 Good level of knowledge and some independent thinking C = 70-79 Basic knowledge and abilities D = 60-69 Fulfilment of minimum requirements F = below 60 Fail

Assignments: The assignments, as listed below, are each assessed on a scale ranging from 59–100 % (which e.g. means that a book report [see below] that gets the grade 80% is worth 8%).

Summary 1, DJG 5% Summary 2, DJG 5% Synoptic analysis 1 5% Synoptic analysis 2 5% Synoptic analysis 3 5% Term paper – outline 5% Book report 10% Term paper 25% Final Exam 35% TOTAL 100%

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Study & Assignment Schedule: Week 1: Lesson 1: Historical background – politics, Lesson 2: Historical background –

religion Week 2: Lesson 3: Historical background – socioeconomics, Lesson 4: Critical Methods –

Historical Criticism 1 Week 3: Lesson 5: Critical Methods - Historical Criticism 2, Lesson 6: Critical Methods –

Literary Criticism, Assignment: handing in Summary 1 of article/s from Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels.

Week 4: Lesson 7: Introduction to the Gospels – Mark, Lesson 8: Introduction to the Gospels – Matthew, Lesson: 9 Introduction to the Gospels – Luke, Assignment: handing in Summary 2 of article/s from Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Week 5: Lesson 10: Introduction to the Gospels – John, Assignment: handing in Synoptic

analysis 1: The Cleansing of the Temple Week 6: Lesson 11: Survey - Historical Jesus, Assignment: handing in Synoptic analysis 2:

Stilling the Storm Week 7: Lesson 12: Survey - Birth and Childhood, Assignment: handing in Synoptic analysis

3: Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman with Haemorrhage Week 8: Lesson 13: Survey – Beginnings, Assignment: handing in Term paper – outline Week 9: Lesson 14: Survey - Earlier Stages, Lesson 15: Survey - Later Stages Week 10: Lesson16: Survey - Additional Teachings, Lesson 17: Survey - Judean Ministry Week 11: Lesson 18: Survey - Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection 1, Lesson 19: Survey –

Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection 2 Week 12: Lesson 20: Historical Trustworthiness, Assignment: handing in Book report on

Jesus and the Eyewitnesses Week 13 Handing in Term paper Week 14 Preparation for final exam Week 15 Final Exam Description of assignments: 1. Reading: Bible: the four gospels; Aland: only to be used in synoptic analyses; Blomberg:

all pages except ch 19; Green et al [number of pages indicated within parenthesis]: Antisemitism (5), Birth of Jesus (13), Burial of Jesus (3), Canonical Criticism (3), Chreia/Aphorism (2), Criteria of Authenticity (9), Dead Sea Scrolls (7), Death of Jesus (20), Feminist and Womanist Criticism (6), Form Criticism (6), Gospels: genre (7), Gospels: history of interpretation (8), Historicisms and Historiography (5), Jesus in non-Christian sources (5), Josephus (3), Languages of Palestine (8), Miracles and miracle stories (10), Narrative Criticism (5), Orality and Oral Transmission (10), Postcolonial Criticism (3), Q (7), Quest of the historical Jesus (39), Redaction Criticism (3), Resurrection (15), Social-Scientific Criticism (7), Synoptic problem (9), Textual Criticism (4).

2. Summaries 1 & 2 of Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. This assignment includes writing two summaries of articles in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. For each summary you should select (see list below of topics that you can choose from) one or several articles of a total of 15 pages or more and write a two-page summary (single-spaced, 12 points, Times New Roman).

Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels: topics (number of pages indicated within parenthesis): Anointing (2), Apostle (11), Archelogy and Geography

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(14), Ascension of Jesus (3), Authority and power (4), Baptism (3), Beloved disciple (3), Canon (5), Christ (9), Christology (9), Chronology (4), Church (3), Demon, Devil, Satan (9), Disciples and Discipleship (11), Divorce (6), Eschatology (8), Essenes (3), Ethics of Jesus (9), Faith (4), Family (3), Feasts (7), Forgiveness of sins (4), Gentiles (7), God (12), Gospel: good news (3), Healing (8), Heaven and Hell (5), Hellenism (4), Holy Spirit (6), “I am” sayings (3), Incarnation (4), Israel (3), Jerusalem (7), John, gospel of (16), John the Baptist (9), Josephus (3), Judaism, common (6), Kingdom of God / heaven (14), Lamb of God (2), Last supper (9), Law (10), Logos (3), Lord (9), Love, love command (4), Luke, gospel of (12), Mark, gospel of (13), Mary, mother of Jesus (4), Matthew, gospel of (14), Mercy (4), Midrash (5), Mission (6), Moses (5), New birth (3), Old Testament in the Gospels (10), Parables (12), Passion narrative (4), Pharisees (6), Pontius Pilate (2), Prayer (8), Predictions of Jesus’ passion and resurrection (4), Rome (10), Sabbath (4), Sadducees (2), Salvation (7), Samaritans (5), Sanhedrin (4), Scribes (4), Sermon on the Mount / Plain (10), Sin, sinner (6), Slave, servant (6), Son of David (5), Son of God (8), Son of Man (7), Synagogue (7), Synoptics and John (4), Targums (4), Teacher (6), Temple (9), Theological interpretation of the gospels (3), Trial of Jesus (8), Triumphal entry (6), Typology (5), Witness (5), Women (10), Worship (5).

3. Synoptic analysis 1, 2 and 3: In this assignment you should perform three synoptic analyses. In these analyses you should: 1) Make use of Synopsis of the Four Gospels (Aland). 2) Compare and contrast the different gospel accounts (see Lesson 5 again where synoptic analysis is briefly discussed) and make insightful observations with regard to the different theological perspectives of the evangelists as well as characteristic features of each Gospel writer. That is, you should, on the one hand, make a horizontal analysis where you note and comment on differences and similarities between the synoptic Gospels and, on the other, make a vertical analysis where you note and comment on features that seem to be characteristic of each Gospel writer. 3) Make use of one commentary (see bibliography below listing Gospel commentaries) for each Gospel. Using a commentary involves finding and using (either referring to the commentary or quoting it) information aiding you in your analysis. When you refer to or quote the commentaries you should indicate this with footnotes in which you include the last name of the author, the publication year and page number (e.g. Guelich, 1989, 263). 4) Create a bibliography at the end of your assignment: follow the format in which the required texts books for this course are listed (see below, p. 7). Each analysis should be 1,500 words (+/– 10%). 5) The three passages that you should analyse are a) The Cleansing of the Temple b) Stilling the Storm c) Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman with Haemorrhage (see Aland).

4. Term paper – outline: As a preparation for the term paper you shall: (1) Choose a paper topic from the list below (2) Find your topic in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and, using the article as a point of departure for your paper, summarize it on 2-3 pages (1,5 space, 12 points, Times New Roman (3) Create an outline that includes an introduction with a description of the question you want to investigate and find an answer to, ideas for the content of the body of the text, a tentative conclusion and a bibliography with at least 10 sources (these may be journal articles, commentaries, book chapters, monographs) on your topic.

Paper Topics: Anointing; Antisemitism; Burial of Jesus; Demon, Devil, Satan (in the Gospels); Christology (of Matthew / Mark / Luke / John); The Birth of Jesus; The Death of Jesus; Disciples and Discipleship; Divorce; The

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Ethics of Jesus; Family; Forgiveness of Sins; Healing; Heaven and Hell; Holy Spirit, “I am” – sayings; Incarnation; John the Baptist; The Lamb of God; Love, love commandment; Mary, the Mother of Jesus; Old Testament in the Gospels; Pharisees; Prayer; Resurrection; Samaritans; Sin, sinner; Slave, servant; Son of Man; Synagogue; Teacher; Typology; Women; Worship

5. Book report: Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: Write a five-page book report (single-spaced, 12 points, Times New Roman). Your report should include 1) key points from each chapter 2) a short assessment at the end of the report where you express your well-considered response to the book.

6. Term paper: On the basis of the term paper outline you should complete your paper. Your paper should be 3,500 words (+/– 10 %) and written in English. Your paper should have 1) a front page indicating the title of the paper, your name, which term it is (autumn/spring/summer) and year 2) a clear structure (with introduction, body and conclusion). 3) an introduction where you describe the object of your investigation, i.e. the issue you will investigate and/or the question/s you want to find answers to 4) a body of text where you investigate the thing/s that you mentioned in the introduction 5) a conclusion that reflects the introduction in such a way that the questions and issues raised in the introduction are picked up again as you account for the results of your investigation 6) a bibliography where you under the heading Bibliography alphabetically list your sources (in the same format as Required Text Books below).

7. Final exam based on Blomberg, Bauckham, Green et al, selected articles from Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (as listed above under Reading [Description of assignments: i]) and the map of Israel (see below).

Course Literature Required Textbooks Aland, Kurt (ed.), Synopsis of the four Gospels: Greek-English Edition of the Synopsis quattuor evangeliorum, 14 ed., Stuttgart: German Bible Society, 2009. Bauckham, Richard, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony, 2nd ed., Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2017. Blomberg, Craig L. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey, 2nd ed., Nottingham: Apollos, 2009. Green, Joel B. (gen. ed.), Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship, 2nd ed, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013.

Recommended Literature and Literature to be used in the completion of assignments: Commentaries that are particularly good on Greek have an asterisk at the end of the entry. Commentaries that are generally recommended have an # before the entry.

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Commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew Albright, W.F., and C.S. Mann. Matthew. AB. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1971.

Allen, W.C. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to S. Matthew. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1907.* Beare, F.W. The Gospel according to Matthew. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1981. Bruner, D. Matthew: A Commentary. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004. # Carson, D.A. “Matthew.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, ed. F.E. Gaebelein, 1-599. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.* Davies, W.D., and D.C. Allison, Jr., A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. ICC. 3 vols. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1988-97.* Filson, F.V. The Gospel according to St. Matthew. BNTC. London: A&C Black, 1960. France, R.T. Matthew. TNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985. # France, R.T. The Gospel of Matthew. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.* Gaechter, P. Das Mattäus Evangelium. Innsbruck: Tyrolia-Verlag, n.d. Gundry, R.H. Matthew: A Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.* # Hagner, D.A. Matthew. WBC 33A, B. 2 vols. Dallas: Word, 1993, 1995.* Hill, D. The Gospel of Matthew. NCB. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972. Inniker, T. Kommentar zum Evangelium des heiligen Matthäus. Graz: Verlagsbuchhandlung “Styria,” 1918. # Keener, C.S. A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.* Lagrange, M.-J. Evangile selon Saint Matthieu. EB. Paris: Gabalda, 1923.* Lohmeyer, E., with W. Schmauch. Das Evangelium des Matthäus. KEK. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1967.* M’Neile, A.H. The Gospel according to St. Matthew. London: Macmillan, 1928.* # Morris, L. The Gospel according to Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992. # Nolland, J. The Gospel of Matthew. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.* Plummer, A. An Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to S. Matthew. London: Scott, 1909.

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Schweizer, E. The Good News according to Matthew. Trans. D.E. Green. Atlanta: John Knox, 1975. Turner, D.L. Matthew. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008.* Wiefel, W. Das Evangelium nach Matthäus. THNT. Leipzig: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, 1998.* Commentaries on the Gospel of Mark Anderson, H., The Gospel of Mark. NCB; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1976. Cranfield, C.E.B., The Gospel According to St Mark. CGTC; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1959. * # Evans, C.A. Mark 8:27-16:20. WBC 34b; Dallas: Word, 2001. * # France, R.T., The Gospel of Mark. NIGTC; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. * # Guelich, R.H., Mark 1-8:26. WBC 34A; Dallas: Word, 1989. Gould, E.P., A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to St Mark. ICC; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1901. * Gundry, R.H., Mark: A Commentary on his Apology for the Cross. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993. * Hooker, M.D., The Gospel According to Saint Mark. BNTC; Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1991. van Iersel, B.M.F., Mark: A Reader-Response Commentary. JSNTSup 164; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998. Klostermann, E. Das Markusevangelium. HNT 3; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1936. Lagrange, M.-J., Évangile selon Saint Marc. EB; Paris: Gabalda,1947. * Lane, W.L., The Gospel of Mark. NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974. Légasse, S., L’Évangile de Marc. Paris ; Cert: Lectio Divina Commentaires 5; 2 vols.;, 1997). Lohmeyer, E., Das Evangelium des Markus. Meyer K; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1967. * Mann, C.S., Mark. AB 27; New York: Doubleday, 1986. Marcus, J., Mark 1-8. AB 27; New York: Doubleday, 1999. Schmid, J., The Gospel according to Mark. Regensburg New Testament; trans. K. Condon; Staten Island, NY: Alba House, 1968.

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Schweizer, E., The Good News According to Mark. London: SPCK, 1971. Stein, R.H. Mark. BECNT; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. Swete, H.B., The Gospel According to St Mark. London: Macmillan, 3rd edn, 1913. * Taylor, V., The Gospel According to St Mark. London: Macmillan, 2nd edn, 1966. * # Witherington, B., III, The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. Commentaries on the Gospel of Luke # Bock, D.L., Luke. Baker Exegetical Commentary 3A, 3B. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996. Ellis, E.E., The Gospel of Luke. NCB. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1866. # Evans, C.A., Luke. New International Biblical Commentary. Grand Rapids: 1990. Fitzmyer, J.A., The Gospel According to Luke. AB 28, 28A. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1981, 1985. # Green, J.B., The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Johnson, L.T., The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991. # Marshall, I.H., The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974. * # Nolland, J., Luke. 3 vols.. WBC. 35A, B, C. Waco, Texas: 1993. Plummer, A., A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to S. Luke. * Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1896. Schweizer, E. The Good News according to Luke. Trans. D.E. Green. London: SPCK, 1984. Stein, R.H., Luke. NAC. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1992. Tannehill, R.C. The Narrative Unity of Luke–Acts: A Literary Interpretation. Volume One: The Gospel according to Luke. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986. Commentaries on the Gospel of John Barrett, C.K. The Gospel According to St. John. 2d ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1978. * Bauer, W. Das Johannesevangelium. Handbuch zum Neuen Testament 6. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1933. * # Beasley-Murray, G.R. John. 2d ed. Word Biblical Commentary 36. Nashville: Nelson, 1999. *

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Bernard, J.H. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to St. John. Ed. A.H. McNeil. International Critical Commentary. 2 vols. Edinburgh. T&T Clark, 1928. * Borchert, G.L. John 1–11, 12–21. 2 vols. New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997, 2002. Brodie, T.L. The Gospel According to John: A Literary and Theological Commentary. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993. Brown, R.E. The Gospel According to John. Anchor Bible 29, 29A. 2 vols. New York: Doubleday, 1966, 1970. # Bruce, F.F. The Gospel of John. Basingstoke: Pickering & Inglis, 1983. Bultmann, R. The Gospel of John: A Commentary. Trans. G.R. Beasley-Murray. Oxford: Blackwell, 1971. # Carson, D.A. The Gospel According to John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991. Godet, F. Commentary on the Gospel of St. John. 3 vols. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1899–1900. Haenchen, E. A Commentary on the Gospel of John. 2 vols. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1984. Hoskyns, E.C., with F.N. Davey. The Fourth Gospel. 2d ed. London: Faber & Faber, 1947. # Keener, C.S. The Gospel of John: A Commentary. 2 vols. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2003. Köstenberger, A.J. John. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004. Lightfoot, R.H. St. John’s Gospel: A Commentary. Ed. C.F. Evans. Oxford: Clarendon, 1956. Lindars, B. The Gospel of John. New Century Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972. # Morris, L. The Gospel According to John. New International Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1971. Sanders, J.H., and B.A. Mastin. A Commentary on the Gospel According to St. John. Black’s New Testament Commentaries. London: A&C Black, 1968. Schlatter, A. Der Evangelist Johannes. 4th ed. Stuttgart: Calwer, 1975. * Schnackenburg, R. The Gospel According to St. John. 3 vols. New York: Crossroad, 1990. * Syllabus completed 2020-01-31. Syllabus is valid from 2020-01-31.

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