Summer 2008/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: June 23- July 3
NS500
Powery
NS500: NEW TESTAMENT 1: GOSPELS. Emerson B. Powery.
DESCRIPTION: This course covers the study of the four canonical Gospels and
their witness to Jesus in historical context. In addition to considering and
employing methods appropriate to the study of the Gospels, participants will
explore the theological and literary purposes of each Gospel.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who have completed this course will be able to
- demonstrate a basic knowledge of the content, structure, and message of the
four Gospels;
- express an awareness of cultural, literary, and historical issues that
inform interpretation of the Gospels;
- demonstrate interpretive skill in the exegesis of the Gospels; and
- articulate the particular contribution of each Gospel to the witness of the
fourfold gospel, with their diverse portraits of Jesus, and to the message of
the New Testament.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course lays the foundation for the study of the
Gospels. Satisfactory completion of the course should increase the student's
confidence in reading, studying, and teaching the Gospels, as well as in
understanding and interpreting the work of New Testament scholars.
COURSE FORMAT: Meeting daily for two weeks (except July 4), for four-hour
sessions, the course will provide a series of lectures on various topics. Daily
engagement with specific passages will be central to classroom discussions.
Students are expected to keep their reading current and to be prepared to
discuss topics in class.
REQUIRED READING:
- Achtemeier, Paul, Joel Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson.
Introducing the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
- Aland, K. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English
Edition. . . . 10th ed. [Nestle-Aland26 and the RSV2]
OR English edition of the Synopsis. United Bible Societies, 1993.
- Malina, Bruce J., and Richard L. Rohrbaugh. Social-Science Commentary on
the Synoptic Gospels. 2nd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003.
- Perkins, Pheme. Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2007.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Powell, Mark Allan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels.
Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1998.
- Stanton, Graham. The Gospels and Jesus. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2002.
- Theissen, Gerd. The Shadow of the Galilean. Minneapolis: Fortress,
1987.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Regular completion of the reading in the Gospels and secondary sources
- Preparation for each meeting of the course by carefully reading the
assigned Gospel texts (10% of final grade)
- Two "text analyses" (i.e., exegetical assignments) on designated passages
(2-3 pages each) (#1 due on June 30th; #2 due on July 30th; 30% of final
grade)
- A critical, essay review of one of Pheme Perkins's chapters (due on July
30th; 20%)
- A final examination, covering lectures and reading (July 3rd; 40%)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 1
(NT1).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (4/08)