Spring 2008/Pasadena
NS500
Green
NS500: NEW TESTAMENT 1: GOSPELS. Joel B. Green.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to the content, structure, and
message of the four New Testament Gospels (with brief attention to Acts, as a
follow-up to the Gospel of Luke). In addition to considering and employing
methods appropriate to the study of the Gospels, participants will explore the
theological and literary purposes of each Gospel.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will be
able to
- demonstrate familiarity with the content, structure, and message of the New
Testament Gospels;
- demonstrate developing interpretive skill in the exegesis of the Gospels as
appropriate for effective leadership in Christian communities.
- articulate the particular contribution of each Gospel to the witness of the
fourfold Gospel and to the message of the New Testament.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: For readers of the Bible as Christian Scripture, the
Gospels are situated centrally as witness to the significance of Jesus.
Intimacy with this witness thus anchors ongoing Christian life and ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions for lectures
and regular discussion.
REQUIRED READING:
- Achtemeier, Paul J., Joel B. Green, and Marianne Meye Thompson,
Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Message. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2001.
- Theissen, Gerd. The Shadow of the Galilean. Minneapolis: Fortress,
1987.
- Choose one text from the following contributions to the New
Testament Theology series (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press):
- Luz, Ulrich. The Theology of the Gospel of
Matthew (1995).
- Telford, W. R. The Theology of the Gospel of Mark (1999).
- Green, Joel B. The Theology of the Gospel of Luke (1995).
- Smith, D. Moody. The Theology of the Gospel of John
(1995).
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Preparation for each meeting of the course by carefully reading the
assigned Gospel texts
- A critical review of Theissen (20% of final grade)
- A critical review of one volume from the New Testament Theology series
(Luz, Telford, Green, or Smith) (20% of final grade)
- Two interpretive exercises on selected passages (2 pages each) (25% of
final grade)
- Research essay on a selected Gospel text (8-10 pages) (35% of final
grade)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament 1
(NT1).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)