DESCRIPTION: This Internet-based course, taught in Spanish, focuses upon a close reading of select passages in the Gospel of Luke. Special attention is 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.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to (1) articulate primary theological and ethical concerns of the Gospel of Luke; (2) interpret the text within its socio-historical, literary, and canonical contexts; (3) use resources that inform our understanding of the text; and (4) identify central issues in the critical study of the Gospel of Luke.

COURSE FORMAT: Conducted via the Internet, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves reading, writing, use of libraries and other resources, and interactive discussion. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the material through journaling and threaded discussion forums.

REQUIRED READING:

Kingsbury, Jack Dean. Conflicto en Lucas: Jesús, autoridades, discípulos. En Torno al Nuevo Testamento. Córdoba (España): Ediciones el Almendro, 1992 (ISBN 9788480050029, $12.50).

Padilla, Alvin. Lucas. Conozca su Biblia. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2007 (ISBN 9780806653372, $15).

Course reader, containing selections from: François Bovon. El Evangelio segun San Lucas, Tomos I-IV (Tomo 1: Lc 1-9; Tomo 2: Lc 9, 51-14, 35; Tomo 3: Lc 15, 1-19, 27; Tomo 4: Lc 19, 28-24, 53). Biblioteca de Estudios Bíblicos 85-87, 132. Salamanca: Ediciones Sígueme, 1995-2010 (ISBNs 9788430112579 / 9788430114054 / 9788430115358 / 9788430117451); and Joseph A. Fitzmyer. El Evangelio según Lucas. 4 vols. Madrid: Ediciones Cristiandad, 1986-2005 (ISBNs: 9788470573965 / 9788470574085 / 9788470574238 / 9788470574771).

Each of the following assignments is worth 20% of the final grade:

1. Weekly journal on assigned readings from the Gospel of Luke in Spanish, comparing one's observations with at least one of the required commentaries.

2. Two interpretive exercises on assigned pericopes in Luke (about 2 pages single-spaced).

3. Contributions to ongoing discussion forums, including responses to interpretive exercises.

4. A book review of Kingsbury, Conflicto en Lucas (4-5 pages).

5. Research paper on an assigned pericope in Luke (5-6 pages 1 and 1/2 spaced).