DESCRIPTION: A close reading of selected passages in the Gospel of Luke, with special attention given to literary, socio-historical, and theological understandings of the first half of the Lukan narrative comprising the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to employ a range of exegetical approaches relevant to the interpretation of the Gospel of Luke; (2) to understand the Gospel of Luke within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (3) to identify central issues in the critical study of the Gospel of Luke; (4) to articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of the Gospel of Luke; and (5) to demonstrate proficiency in lexical semantics, identify grammatical constructions, engage in syntactical analyses, translate with minimal lexical assistance, and perform rudimentary exercises in text criticism in the Gospel of Luke.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Central to Christian discipleship and the various forms of Christian ministry is serious and faithful engagement with the biblical texts read as Christian Scripture. This course focuses on the development of competence among readers of New Testament narratives for this most essential grace of working with these texts.

COURSE FORMAT: This course is concerned with the practice of New Testament exegesis. As a result, participation will require regular preparation and exegetical practice. The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lectures, discussion, and break-out groups.

REQUIRED READING: Choose texts from each of the following sets:

Set 1: Choose either Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. United Bible Societies, 1993 [UBS4] (ISBN 9783438051103, $43.99); or Nestle, E. & K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece. 27th ed. Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1993 [NA27] (ISBN 9783438051004, $40.99).

Set 2: Choose two of the following: Bock, D.L. Luke. 2 vols. BECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994-96 (ISBN 9780801010538 & 9780801010521, $59.99 & $59.99); Green, J.B. The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997 (ISBN: 9780802823151, $55); Johnson, L.T. The Gospel of Luke. SP 3. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 1991 (ISBN 9780814659663, $29.95); and Vinson, R.B. Luke. S&HBC. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2008 (ISBN 9781573120784, $67).

Set 3: Choose one of the following: Green, J.B. The Theology of the Gospel of Luke. NTT. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995 (ISBN 9780521469326, $25.99); Hornik, H.J., & M. Parsons. Illuminating Luke: The Public Ministry of Christ in Italian Renaissance and Baroque Painting. London: T. & T. Clark, 2005 (ISBN 9780567028204, $39.95); or Resseguie, J.L. Spiritual Landscape: Images of the Spiritual Life in the Gospel of Luke. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2004 (ISBN 9781565638273, $19.95).

Students will need to consult the following resources throughout the quarter:

Danker, F.W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. University of Chicago Press, 2000 [BDAG] (ISBN 9780226039336, $150).

Wallace, D.B. Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the NT. Zondervan, 1996 (ISBN 978-0310218951, $44.99).

For further resources, see "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.