Fall 2004/Pasadena
NS509
M. Thompson
NS509: LIFE OF JESUS. Marianne Meye Thompson.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course deals with three main components and is divided into
three unequal sections, focusing on each of those components: (1) the history,
method, and assumptions of the so-called "quest for the historical Jesus"; (2)
a basic outline of Jesus' life, the key public events and their significance in
their first-century Jewish setting, and the content of his teaching; (3) issues
of continuity between the ministry and message of Jesus and the early church's
faith in and proclamation about him.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Jesus' mission, message, and identity are foundational to
understanding the Gospels, the ministry of the Church, the identity and
character of God, and God's mission in the world. Successful completion of the
course should equip the student to preach and teach from the Gospels with
greater sensitivity and skill, to understand Jesus more fully, and to interpret
the quest for Jesus to the church today.
COURSE FORMAT:
- Lecture and discussion of the Gospels and reading. The course will
meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Aland, Kurt, ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels.
Greek-English, 7th ed. United Bible Societies, 1984.
- Bockmuehl, Markus, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Jesus. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2001.
- Borg, Marcus J. and N. T. Wright. The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions.
San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1999.
- Green, Joel B.; Scot McKnight; and I. Howard Marshall, eds. Dictionary
of Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1991.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- The literature about Jesus is vast, and continues to grow. More
extensive bibliography will be discussed in class. Especially recommended for a
comprehensive survey of recent study is
James D. G. Dunn, Jesus
Remembered (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003).
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Assigned reading, coordinated with class lectures and discussion.
- Three written assignments based on the text of the Gospels and the assigned
readings.
- A final essay examination.
PREREQUISITES:
- NS500 New Testament 1.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes.