Spring 2004/Pasadena
NS500
Matson
NS500: NEW TESTAMENT 1: GOSPELS. David L. Matson.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course introduces the student to a critical study of the four
New Testament Gospels, including (1) major interpretive approaches in
current Gospel research; (2) the distinctive literary and theological
characteristics of the Gospel portraits; (3) the historical setting of the
Gospel writers; (4) critical issues involved in "history of Jesus" research;
and (5) the relationship between faith and history and the relevance of Jesus
for today.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- This course is obviously basic to anyone who desires to live as a
disciple of Jesus, whom the Gospel writers proclaim "Christ." Successful
completion of the course will not only make one a better interpreter of the
life and teachings of Jesus (and thus a more effective follower) but a more
astute observer of the way the four evangelists shaped and contextualized their
respective christologies. In this way Gospel interpretation becomes a catalyst
for the application of contemporary insight into the significance of
Jesus.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course is primarily lecture in format, utilizing an inductive
approach that takes up critical issues of Gospel interpretation in the process
of reading the Gospels themselves. The Gospels will be read and studied as
narratives with their own literary and theological integrity, allowing each to
contribute its own unique Christological perspective to the church's overall
understanding of Jesus. The course will meet weekly for a three-hour
session.
REQUIRED READING:
- Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels. Greek-English,
10th ed. United Bible Societies, 1993; OR the same synopsis in English
only.
- Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to New Testament Christology.
Paulist Press, 1994.
- __________. An Introduction to the New Testament. Doubleday,
1997.
- Burridge, Richard A. Four Gospels, One Jesus? A Symbolic Reading.
Eerdmans, 1994.
- Dunn, James D. G. The Evidence for Jesus. Westminster Press,
1985.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Bauckham, Richard, ed. The Gospels for All Christians:
Rethinking the Gospel Audiences. Eerdmans, 1998.
- Cartlidge, David R. and David L. Dungan. Documents for the Study of the
Gospels. Rev. ed. Fortress Press, 1994.
- Green, Joel B., Scott McKnight and I. Howard Marshall, eds. Dictionary
of Jesus and the Gospels. InterVarsity Press, 1992.
- Hedrick, Charles W. When History and Faith Collide: Studying Jesus.
Hendrickson, 1999.
- Kingsbury, Jack Dean. Gospel Interpretation: Narrative-Critical and
Social-Scientific Approaches. Trinity Press International, 1997.
- Schnackenburg, Rudolf. Jesus in the Gospels: A Biblical Christology.
Westminster John Knox, 1995.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- A mid-term exam, based on the Gospels of Mark and Matthew (25%).
- A 15-page "Life of Jesus" research paper based on one of the
Gospels only (25%).
- A film critique, comparing two major films on the life of Jesus and
interacting with course materials (15%).
- A final exam, based on the Gospels of Luke and John as well as the
historical Jesus (35%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament 1
(NT1).
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.