DESCRIPTION: This is a 6-unit seminar for doctoral students, also offered at the 500-level as a 4-unit course open to a limited number of master's level students. This seminar focuses on specific important topics in the study of the historical Jesus, and addresses various literary, historical, and theological questions that arise in interpreting the Gospels' witness to Jesus. In Winter 2009, the primary topic for consideration will be the Gospels' presentation of Jesus as an interpreter of Scripture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated

1. An understanding of the range and kind of issues in interpreting the Gospels that give rise to the quest of the historical Jesus;

2. The ability to identify important early Jewish and Christian ways of interpreting the Scriptures of the Old Testament, and to use them fruitfully in interpreting the Gospels;

3. The ability to articulate and defend a preliminary thesis concerning how Jesus of Nazareth interpreted the Scriptures of Israel in the context of his own mission.

Alexander, Patrick H., et al., eds. The SBL Handbook of Style for Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Christian Studies. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1999; available to SBL members as a PDF file: http://www.sbl-site.org/publications/publishingwithsbl.aspx.

Evans, C. A. Ancient Texts for New Testament Studies: A Guide to the Background Literature. Rev. ed. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005.

Mulder, Martin Jan, et al., eds. Mikra: Text, Translation, Reading, & Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible in Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005.

Additional required readings will be listed on the syllabus.

1. Class Preparation, Attendance, and Participation. Attendance at and readiness to participate in all sessions of the Seminar is expected.

2. Weekly Assignments: Study of Gospel texts. Weekly exercises provide opportunities for working with texts in the Synoptic Gospels throughout the Seminar. Five papers required for master's students. (30%)

3. Critical Review. Each CATS student will prepare and present a response (ca. 1200 words, typed, double-spaced) to an article or chapter in a book that treats a topic relevant to the course.

4. Major Research Paper. The preparation of a paper of about 15-20 pages (10 pp. for master's level students) on a relevant text in the Synoptic Gospels.