DESCRIPTION:

This introduction to the Four Gospels introduces students to (1) the content of each of the Gospels; (2) the historical setting of the Gospels, and of the life of Jesus; and (3) the various methods appropriate to studying the Gospels, and their implications for interpreting and understanding these beloved and familiar texts.

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. Since each gospel interprets the story of Jesus for a specific community, with particular needs, careful study of the way in which the authors of the Gospels contextualized their message will stimulate thinking about how we may do so today.

Lectures and discussion based on reading the New Testament and secondary sources. The course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.

Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels. 3rd ed. American Bible Society, 1979. (Prints the Nestle-Aland 26th edition of the Greek text with facing pages of the RSV, 2nd edition.) OR the same synopsis in English only.

Johnson, Luke. The Writings of the New Testament. Fortress, 1986.

Stanton, Graham. The Gospels and Jesus. Oxford, 1989.

Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 2nd edition. Eerdmans, 1993.

Green, J. B. and McKnight, S. Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. InterVarsity, 1992.

Ladd, George E. The Theology of the New Testament. Rev. ed. Eerdmans, 1993.

1. An exam on the content of the Gospels.

2. An essay on the theology of one of the gospels.

3. An essay answering the question, "What do we mean when we say that the Gospels are true?"

4. A final examination, covering lectures and reading.

None.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament "1" (NT1).

Yes.