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Synoptic Gospels (A255-051 & A706-051) 

MW 4:55-6:10   BO 208 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:

 

1. Introduction

2. Mark
3. Matthew

4. Luke

A. Syllabus

(a) Introduction

    Jan  9 m     1. Introduction to Synoptic Study
    Jan 11 w     2. Hist/¹oc/Cultural Introduction to Synoptics
    Jan 16 m    3. Methodological Introduction to Synoptics (1)
    Jan 18 w     4. Methodoloaical Introduction to Synoptics (2)
 [  Feb 20 m    5. Brief Discussion of Q-Source
                         & Joh Sign Gospel & Later Jesus Material (eg: Thomas)  ]

(b) Gospel of Mark

    Jan 23 m    6. Mark: General Literary Introduction
    Jan 25 w     7. Mark: Thematic, Structural Study in view of Author's Purpose
    Jan 30 m    8. Mark: Study of 1:1-6:6
    Feb 1 w      9. Mark: Study of 6:7-10:52
    Feb 6 m     10. Mark: Study of 11:1-13:37
    Feb 8 w      11. Mark: Study of 14:1-16:8
    Feb 13 m    12. Reading Mark with the Author's Purpose in Mind
    Feb 15 w    13. Exam on Gospel of Mark

(c) Gospel of Matthew

    Feb 20 m   [see # 5 above--especially Q-Source]
    Feb 22 w    14. Matthew: Literary, Narrative & Structural Introduction
    Mar 6  m    15. Matthew: Jewish Revision of Mark in view of the Author's Pupose
    Mar 8 w      16. Matthew: Study of 1:1-4:16
    Mar 13 m    17. Matthew: Study of 4:17-10:42
    Mar 15 w     18. Matthew: Study of 11:1-18:35
    Mar 20 m    19. Matthew: Study of 19:1-25:46
    Mar 22 w     20. Matthew: Study of 26:1-28:20
    Mar 27 m     21. Exam on Gospel of Matthew

(d) Gospel of Luke

    Mar 29 w     22. Luke-Acts: Literary, Theological Introduction
    Apr 3 m       23. Luke: Redactional, Structural Study in view of the âuthor's Purpose
    Apr 5 w       24. Luke: Study of 1:1-4:13
    Apr 10 m     25. Luke: Study of 4:14-9:50
    Apr 12 w     26. Luke: Study of 9:51-19:27
    Apr 17 m     27. Luke: Study of 19:28-21:38
    Apr 19 w     28. Luke: Study of 22:1-24:53
    Apr 24 m     29. Exam on Gospel of Luke

B. Goals

            1. Brief introduction to Synoptic studies: first an examination of the Greco-Roman and Jewish background
                        of the characters and of the authors and then a stress on the literary methods used for study of the
                        Synoptic Gospels.  This introduction will focus both on the methodology used for the study of these
                        three works and on the distinctive character of each author, work and intended audience.

            2. Brief Introduction to each Synoptic writer: author and text, structure & message, characters & story.

            3. Study of each gospel: seven class periods on each work--two on introduction & five on narrative, textual,
                        and theological study.  The focus of each study will be to discern why each writer composed a life of
                        Jesus and in light of this to disccern the author's message to the intended audience.

            4. Overall Goal: Ïability to read & interpret religious (biblical) textsÓ (see Department Goals:
                        II. A-D for text see http://loyno.edu/~richard/ntaslit/syn.html )

C. Required Texts & Supplementary Reading             
                                                 
    Req          The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) (Bookstore)
                    B.H. Throckmorton, ed., Gospel Parallels  (Bookstore)
                    D.J. Harrington, What Are They Saying about Mark (Bookstore)
                    D. Senior, What Are They Saying about Matthews (Bookstore)
                    M.A. Powell, What Are They Saying about Luke (Bookstore)
                    E. Richard, Jesus, One & Many  (chapters 1-5 on WebPage)
                    "Readings form NJBC"--class handouts on Mark, Matthew & Luke

  Recom      D.J. Harrington, Interpreting the New Testament (Bookstore)
                  C.J. Roetzel, The World That Shaped the New Testament (Bookstore)
                  K.F. Nickle, The Synoptic Gospels (Library reserve--for "NT as Lit")

 Consultation & on library reserve:
                  "Sacra Pagina Series": Harrington on Matthew, Donahue/Harrington on Mark, Johnson on Luke

  CP            E. Richard, "Observations" (Course Page)

 

D. Requirements & Grading

            a short, 2-4 page take-home exam on each of the three gospels the evening before the major exam.

            3 exams: one on each gospel--see dates given.

           a major paper for graduates (10-12 pages)---choice of topic in consultation with professor.
                      

E. Professor:            Earl Richard                   Off. Hours         MWF 10:30-11:30; 2:30-3:30
                                Off. Bobet 403                                        TR by appointment
                                Teleph. ext. 3943                                    e-mail: richard@loyno.edu
                                                Course page: http://www.loyno.edu/~richard/ntaslit/