Spring 2005/Pasadena
ST833/533
Brown
ST833/533: THE POLITICS OF JESUS. Colin Brown.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed as part of a two-tier seminar sponsored by
the Center for Advanced Theological Studies. The upper tier will consist of
graduate students working at the PhD and ThM levels. The lower tier will
consist of advanced MDiv and MA students. The seminar will investigate the
politics of Jesus in the context of social, economic, political, and religious
life in Second Temple Judaism under the Romans. Attention will be paid to
primary sources including the Gospels, Josephus, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, in
the light of contemporary research.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The seminar will meet once a week for three hours. Each session
will be devoted to a topic designated in the seminar outline. Additional
material will be made available to registered students on the Fuller
Pipeline.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE MATERIAL:
- All members of the seminar should be familiar with the issues as
set out by the following:
- Borg, Marcus J. Jesus in Contemporary
Scholarship. Trinity Press International, 1994, pp. 97-126.
- Kealy, Seán P. Jesus and Politics. The Liturgical Press,
1990.
- Mendels, Doron. "Jesus and the Politics of his Day." Pages 98-112 in J.H.
Charlesworth and W. P. Weaver, eds., Images of Jesus Today. Trinity
Press International, 1994.
- Theissen, Gerd and Annette Merz. The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive
Guide. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1998.
- Study will also be made of current literature including the
following:
- Bammel, Ernst and C. F. D. Moule, eds. Jesus and the Politics of
His Day. Cambridge University Press, 1984 (and paperback reprints).
- Hengel, Martin. The Charismatic Leader and his Followers. Crossroad,
1981.
- __________. The Zealots: Investigation into the Jewish Freedom Movement
in the Period from Herod I until 70 A.D. T. & T. Clark, 1989.
- Horbury, William; W. D. Davies; and John Sturdy, eds. The Cambridge
History of Judaism. Vol. 1. Cambridge University Press, 1999.
- Horsley, Richard A. Jesus and the Spiral of Violence: Popular Jewish
Resistance in Roman Palestine. Harper & Row, 1987.
- Horsley, Richard A. and John D. Hanson. Bandits, Prophets, and Messiahs:
Popular Movements in the Time of Jesus. Winston Press, 1985.
- Mendels, Doron. The Rise and Fall of Jewish Nationalism. New York:
Doubleday, 1992.
- Yoder, John Howard. The Politics of Jesus. Eerdmans, (1972) 1994.
- Stegemann, Wolfgang; Bruce J. Malina; and Gerd Theissen, eds. The Social
Setting of Jesus and the Gospels. Fortress Press, 2001.
- Wright, N. T. Christian Origins and the Question of God. Vols. 1-2.
Fortress Press, 1992, 1994.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- All members of the seminar must study the designated readings prior
to the class. Attendance is required at all sessions. Each member will make one
or more oral presentations to the seminar and write a research paper on an
approved topic.
PREREQUISITES:
- ST502, LG512, NS500, and students must receive Dr. Brown's
permission in order to register for the seminar.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.