Course Catalog

BIB341E The Gospels (3 credits) 9327

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to the study of the Gospels. This course stresses the life and teaching of Jesus Christ as set forth in the Synoptic Gospels and John. Attention will be given to these literary and theological characteristics of each individual gospel and to the development of gospel criticism. The primary focus, however, is on the words and works of Jesus Christ and their significance for Christians today.

LEARNING RESULTS
In taking this course the student will . . .
• Read and study the major extra-biblical historical references to Jesus and understand their limited value for reconstructing the life of Christ
• Understand the four stages in the historical development of gospel criticism
• Be able to explain the nature of the Synoptic Problem and describe three major hypotheses on the literary relationships of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (i.e., did one or more of the gospel writers use the information in another to compose their own?)
• Become familiar with the four stages in the oral transmission of the gospel and the five sources for the sayings of Jesus
• Learn the benefits and shortcomings of the historical-critical method and the presuppositions which control the method
• Understand the nature of "the burden of proof" and the criteria of authenticity
• Learn how to determine the overall structure of a gospel and study a particular feature or theme in a gospel.
• Learn how to exegete the gospel material and correctly apply gospel narratives in contemporary settings
• Write an exegetical paper on a passage in one of the gospels in accordance with a prescribed set of guidelines ** Thus, our objectives in this course entail both historical-critical and exegetical-hermeneutical concerns. We want to be able to read the Synoptic Gospels and John with confidence in their historical accuracy and reliability and with a sensitivity to their historical-theological meaning and significance for people today.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
• Blomberg, Craig. The Historical Reliability of the gospels. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
• Fee, Gordon D. and Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003.
• Walvoord, John F. and Zuck, Roy B, eds. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
The integration of faith and learning is readily apparent in this course as we directly study the four main books associated with Jesus' teachings and travels. We will interact with the life and teaching of Jesus and how his words and works relate to our life.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:
• Lesson 1: Jesus Outside the Gospels;
Jesus Outside the NT Jesus in Extra-Biblical Christian Traditions; Jesus in the NT Outside the gospels
• Lesson 2: Understanding the Gospel Message: Then and Now ; Exegesis, Hermeneutics, & Bible Translations; Reading the gospels
• Lesson 3: A Focused Reading of the Gospel of Mark ; The Portrait of the Disciples in the Gospel of Mark ; “The Disciples in Mark: The Function of a Narrative Role”
• Lesson 4: The Development of Gospel Criticism;
The Enlightenment & the Historical Critical Method; Source Criticism & the Synoptic Problem; Form Criticism & Redaction Criticism;
The gospels as Midrash; Recent Hermeneutical Developments
• Lesson 5: Miracles and Alleged Contradictions in the gospels; Miracles and the Ultimate Miracle: The Resurrection; Contradictions among the Synoptics; Final Questions on Historical Method
• Lesson 6: The Contents and Structure of the Gospel of Matthew
• Lesson 7: Message-Focus within Luke 1:1--8:56
• Lesson 8: Message-Focus within Luke 9:1--17:10
• Lesson 9: Message-Focus within Luke 17:11--24:53
• Lesson 10: John and the Synoptic Gospels • Lesson 11: Interpretation and Application in John 1--7
• Lesson 12: Interpretation and Application in John 8--14
• Lesson 13: Interpretation and Application in John 15—21
• Lessons 14-15: Exegetical Paper

There are 15 lessons and 0 examinations for this course.

LEARNING EVALUATION
Evaluation is based on a point system:
Learning Assignments #1 - #15 are worth 66 points each.
Total points = 990