Teaching
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Parables of Jesus (U136-001)
MWF 1:30-2:20 BO 212 Spring 2006
Professor Earl
Richard (ext 3058)
Hours: MWF:
10:30-11:30; 2:30-3:30 & TTh: by
appointment
e-mail: richard@loyno.edu
Observations:
A. Syllabus
1. Introduction to
Gospel Tradition as Source & Context of Parables (Parables Handbook)
1/9 Syllabus, Parables, Gospels
(Mark/Matthew/Luke/etc) & "Brief History"
1/11 Historical/Social Introduction to New
Testament Period (PH 1-10)
1/13 Literary Introduction to Gospel Tradition
(PH
10-28)
1/16 Gospel of Mark: Story, Characters &
Structure (PH
47-62)
1/18 Gospel of Mark: Purpose & Message (PH
47-62)
1/20 Gospel of Matthew: Jewish Revision of Mark (PH
62-76)
1/23 Gospel of Matthew: Purpose &
Perspective (PH
62-76)
1/25 Gospel of Luke: Gospel & the Greek World (&
Acts) (PH 76-91)
1/27 Gospel of Luke: Purpose & Perspective (PH
76-91)
1/30 Q-Source (Eschatology) & Gospel of Thomas
(Gnosticism) (PH 92-109)
2/1 Exam on Gospel Tradition
2.
Study of Parables [Boucher in PH,
115-161 & Donahue, Gospel; see CP
"Observations"]
Introductory Considerations (see PH 29-46, 110-14, 161-62,
185-91)
2/3 1. Reading Parables -- focus on story:
"Three Examples"; (PH185)
2/6 2. Schema & Interpretation -- focus on
context/written level: "Stray/Lost Sheep"
(Matt/Luke + Thomas)
2/8 3. Schema & Interpretation -- focus on
Jesus level (also written level): "Two Sons" (Matt)
2/10 4. Overview of Parable Interpretation
(bring texts to
class!)
study of
written/gospel level --> written context, Donahue
study of Jesus level
--> story, Jesus' teaching, Boucher (categories)
Study of Individual Parables (see/use PH
162-84 & bring Bible to class)
2/13
5. The Mustard Seed: Interpretation (Matt/Mark/Luke + Thomas)
2/15 6. The Marriage Feast/Great
Dinner & Wedding Robe (Matt/Luke + Thomas)
2/17 7. The Hidden Treasure & the
2/20 8.The Ten Bridesmaids (Matt)
2/22 9. The Sower
& Its Interpretation: Overall Process (Matt/Mark/Luke + Thomas)
2/24 10. The Pharisee & the Tax
Collector & 2 Debtors (Luke)
3/3 11. The Good Samaritan (Luke)
3/6 12. The Talents/Pounds (Matt/Luke)
3/8 Exam on Parables Seen
3/10 13.
The Weeds (Its Interpretation) & the Fishnet (Matt + Thomas)
3/13 14. The Laborers in the Vineyard
(Matt)
3/15 15. The Coin & the
Prodigal Son/Older Brother (Luke)
3/17 16. The Unjust Manager, Tower
Builder & Warring King (Luke)
3/20 17. The Rich Fool &
Barren Fig Tree (Luke + Thomas)
3/22 18. The Seed Growing
Secretly & the Yeast (Mark & Matt/Luke + Thomas)
3/24 19. Friend at Midnight, Slave's
Wages, Widow & Unjust Judge (Lukan parables)
3/27 20. The Wicked Tenants: A Difficult
Parable (Matt/Mark/Luke + Thomas)
3/29 21. Other Difficult Parables
3/31 21. Some Parabolic Sayings &
Their Use in the Gospels
4/3 Exam on Parables Seen Since Exam
3.
Conclusions:
Jesus' Teaching & the Parables
4/5 Overview of Jesus' Teaching
4/7 God's Activity in Jesus'
Parables
4/10 Human Response according to Jesus'
Parables
B. Goals of
Course:
1. to introduce students to literary study of gospels
formation of the Jesus tradition: Synoptic Gospels (Matt/Mark/Luke),
Q & Thomas
particular character of each gospel
gospels as
literary & ecclesial documents that preserve & employ Jesus' parables
& more generally his teaching
2. to study the literary form called the
"parable"
use in Jewish & Hellenistic world
literary, artistic & rhetorical characteristics
the parable as
teaching tool: both by early Christians and by Jesus
3. to examine all/most
of the Synoptic parables
as used
in gospels (level 3);
as expressive of early
Christian belief (level 2);
as vehicles of Jesus'
teaching (level 1) message of parables: teaching of/about Jesus
& overall conclusions
4. Overall Goal: "ability to read & interpret biblical texts" (see
Department Goals:
II. A-D--for text see http://loyno.edu/~richard/parables/intro.html
)
C. Requirements
& grading:
requirements:
lectures
on areas noted above & on syllabus
class discussion of
parables & a major statement/exams on interpretation
readings as indicated
on syllabus & in class
consult daily
"Observations" on Professor's Course Page
grading:
exam on "gospel tradition" (2/1--20%
of grade
paper (5-6
pages--mid/late Mar) on parable interpretation (Jesus/gospel levels--20%)
2 exams on parables
seen (3/8 & 4/3--20% each)
final:
interpretation/message of parables (4/22--20%)
attendance: class attendance required; students
missing more than 8 classes will receive a
failing grade (discuss any problem concerning
attendance with professor):
furthermore, attendance will be seriously considered
in awarding grade. Also, be on
time; no food, drink, or disruptive electronic devices
in class.
D. Required
Texts:
The Holy Bible: The New Revised Standard
(NRSV)
(Bookstore)
M.I.
Boucher, The Parables (a class handout--orig. in PH)
J.R. Donahue, The
Gospel in Parables
"
E. Richard, Parables
Handbook
"
E. Richard,
"Observations"
(Course Page)
E. Professor:
Earl Richard
Office Hrs: MWF 10:30-11:30; 2:30-3:30
Office Bobet
403
TR: by appointment
Teleph. Ext.
3058
E-mail: richard@loyno.edu
Course page: http://www.loyno.edu/~richard/parables/