THE MINISTRY AND MESSAGE OF JESUS: A Course Syllabus

NT 620 Houston Graduate School of Theology

Fall 2007 Professor Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The life of Jesus of Nazareth as presented by the four Gospels and such secondary sources as are available, and understood within the context of the Roman Empire, Hellenization of the East, and the situation of the Jewish people. Prerequisite NT 501. Three hours.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

You should be able to demonstrate that you can:

1. Describe commonly used methods of studying Jesus in the Gospels of the New Testament as outlined in a typical textbook for a graduate level course in the Introduction to the New Testament.

2. List and briefly characterize major periods within the last two centuries of criticism of the Gospels and responses of those representing more traditional approaches.

3. Identify scholars and schools of thought that represent different approaches, assumptions, methods, and conclusions in their study of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament.

4. Describe how such scholars and schools of thought relate to the tradition of Christian orthodoxy, that is, the traditional Christian understanding of Jesus’ life and ministry, including the significance of his death and resurrection.

5. Present a critical review of two such scholars or schools of thought with significantly different perspectives and conclusions about Jesus.

6. Draw conclusions from these studies that relate to your faith and commitment to Christ, and your life within your church or Christian community.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

I. Standing Assignment for each Lesson

Read and prepare to discuss the assigned readings.

II. Other Assignments

A. Two examinations, as scheduled in the Course Outline and Schedule.

B. Two Critical Reviews of prominent “Jesus” scholars’ works, or the works of two schools of thought (or one scholar and one group/school of thought). See Course Objectives number 3, 4 and 5 (above).

C. One Major Term Paper.

A term paper or project (perhaps to use as a seminar paper) of twelve to fifteen typewritten double-spaced pages and standard thesis style (Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations) which deals with an important aspect of the course as well as necessary related and illustrative material. Include eight or ten works in the bibliography of your paper Note especially the works included in the course bibliography.

Proper documentation of sources of quoted material is required. Quotations should be marked with quotation marks or the indented block quotation form. They should provide examples for your own ideas expressed in your own words. Don’t use quotations to make your points; use them rather to illustrate and elaborate. Plagiarism will invalidate any assignment.

Plagiarism is presenting the work of another person as your own without giving proper credit for the use of the information. Students must not quote books, articles, essays, or internet sites without giving proper credit to the author(s) of the work. Any student who is found guilty of plagiarism is subject to a range of consequences including failure of this course work and dismissal from HGST.

Note: Examinations not taken when scheduled will be made up with more difficult alternate exams and/or substitute additional written assignments with a maximum grade of B.

PLAGIARISM POLICY

One might not expect that plagiarism would occur in a seminary class, but it is important to do and understand your own work. Written assignments should not be shared among students nor borrowed from any work published in written form, on the Internet, or elsewhere.

The following is school policy.

GRADING

The following percentage scale applies to objective test questions and in general to the quality of complex assignments. There may be minor adjustments for the difficulty of some assignments:

A = 94 -100%, B = 86 - 93%, C = 78 - 85%, D = 70 - 77%

The final grade will give equal weight to three components: the two examinations and the term paper. This average may be adversely affected by inadequate class preparation, participation or attendance.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is expected. Your work is bound to suffer if you miss more than two class sessions during the term. The material is cumulative and complete classroom instructions and discussions are difficult to reproduce. Absences in excess of two weeks of class sessions will lower the grade, by one letter for each week of absence. Two weeks means two class sessions, since we will be meeting one time per week.

LATE WORK

Timely work is necessary. Late work may receive some credit, depending on the circumstances, but not full credit. Within the term difficulties are compounded by untimely work.

Work completed late and submitted before the end of the semester

Grades for work that is submitted late within the semester will be reduced proportionately..

Work not completed by the end of the semester

The following is seminary policy:

Any student who requests an extension for this course must complete a “Request for Extension/Grade Change” form, which can be obtained from the Registrar. The form must be signed by both the student and the instructor and returned to the Registrar’s Office along with a fee of $25.00 before the deadline for extensions (December 12, 2005). Extensions are granted only for extenuating circumstances and may not exceed thirty calendar days from the end of the semester (January 18, 2006). All extensions are subject to review by the Dean of the Faculty.

The extension, if granted, may apply to all required assignments that are not competed before the end of the semester, subject to a half-letter grade or more reduction on the final grade (i.e. A to A-; B to B-; etc.). If an extension is granted, the instructor will record a grade of “I” (Incomplete) and set an extension of time within which to complete the work that shall not exceed thirty (30) calendar days from the end of the term. The student is responsible to ensure that all necessary paperwork is submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline listed in the school calendar.

Additional extensions may be granted only by the Dean of the Faculty and only after a student has petitioned the Dean in writing. If the course work is not competed within the extended time allotment, the grade of “I” will be converted to the grade earned by the student up to that point. A failing grade or “F” will be counted as hours attempted in computing the grade point average.

TEXTBOOKS

Required Textbooks

Stein, Robert H. Jesus the Messiah; A Survey of the Life of Christ. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996,

Wright, N. T. Jesus and the Victory of God. Christian Origins and the Question of God, vol. 2. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992.

Books on Reserve in the HGST Library

Baird, William. History of New Testament Research. Vol. Two, From Jonathan Edwards to Rudolf Bultmann. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003. 225.072 Bai v. 2.

Barclay, William. Introduction to the First Three Gospels. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1975. 226 Bar

Bultmann, Rudolf. History of the Synoptic Tradition. Rev. ed., trans., John Marsh; New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1963,1976. 226.06 Bul

Cartlidge, David R., and David L. Dungan, edd. Documents for the Study of the Gospels. Rev. ed.; Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994. 229.805 Doc

Charlesworth, James H. Jesus Within Judaism; New Light from Exciting Archaeological Discoveries. New York: Doubleday, 1988. 232.9 Cha

Crossan, John Dominic. The Cross that Spoke: the Origins of the Passion Narrative. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988. 229.8 Cro

Dunn, James D. G. Jesus Remembered. Christianity in the Making, vol. 1. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003.

Fredriksen, Paula. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews; A Jewish Life and the Emergence of Christianity. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999. 232.9 Fre

Horsley, Richard A., with John S. Hanson. Bandits, Prophets, and Messiahs: Popular Movements in the Time of Jesus. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985, 1988. 909.049 Hor

Sanders, E. P. The Historical Figure of Jesus. London: Allen Lane, the Penguin Press, 1993. 232.9 San

Schweitzer, Albert. The Quest of the Historical Jesus; A Critical Study of its Progress from Reimarus to Wrede. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1945. 232.908 Sch

Stein, Robert H. Gospels and Tradition; Studies on Redaction Criticism of the Gospels. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1991. 226.06 Ste

_______. The Synoptic Problem; An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1987. 226.06 Ste

Vollmer, Philip. The Modern Student’s Life of Christ; a textbook for higher institutions of learning and advanced Bible classes, New York: Fleming H. Revell Company [1912]. 233.9 Vol

Witherington, Ben, III. The Jesus Quest; The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth. New expanded edition; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995. 232.908 Wit

Schillebeecks, Edward. Jesus: an Experiment in Christology. New York: Crossroad, 1981. 232.09 Sch

Streeter, Burnett Hillman. The Four Gospels; A Study of Origins. London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1951 226.01 Str

Taylor, Vincent. The Formation of the Gospel Tradition. London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1949. 226.07 Tay

Worden, Ronald Dean. “A Philological Analysis of Luke 6:20b-49 and Parallels.” Ph.D. Dissertation, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1973. A copy by Xerox in two loose-leaf notebooks.

_______. “Redaction Criticism of Q: A Survey,” Journal of Biblical Literature, 94 (1975), 532-46. Two reprint copies are on reserve, and this issue of JBL is in the HGST Library.

COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE

NOTE: Readings marked with † are supplemental. Watch for further announcements.

August 30 - Course Introduction

Outline of the Life of Jesus, a class handout, based on Philip Vollmer, The Modern Student’s Life of Christ, New York: Fleming H. Revell Company [1912]. This book is on reserve in the HGST Library.

Stein, Preface, p. 10; Introduction, pp. 11-14; Ch. 1, Presuppositions, pp. 17-24; Ch. 3, Chronology, pp. 51-60

Wright, Preface, pp. xii-xx; Ch. 1, Jesus Then and Now, pp. 3-27; Ch. 14, Results, pp. 657-662 [NOTE: Some may carry over to next week.]

September 6 - Quests for Jesus

Stein, Ch. 4, Conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, pp. 63-80; Ch. 5, What was the Boy Jesus Really Like, pp. 81-89

Comments on Matthew 1:18-25, on the professor’s web site, at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2006,” “December 31, 2006"; for Matthew 2:1-12, go to “September 7, 2005” and for Matthew 2:13-23, go to September 8, 2005.

† The Infancy Gospel of James, discussed with links on the Internet, at http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

Wright, Ch1, Jesus then and Now, pp. 3-27, continued from last week

September 13 - Quests for Jesus, Continued

Stein, Ch. 2, Where Can We Go? Sources for Studying the Life of Christ, pp. 25-50

Comments on Mark 4:1-20, on the professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2007,” go to “July 23, 2007”

Wright, Ch. 2, The Wredebahn, pp. 28-82. (Wrede, pronounced Vrede, is a German author)

† Schweitzer, Albert. The Quest of the Historical Jesus; A Critical Study of its Progress from Reimarus to Wrede. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1945. 232.908 Sch, on reserve in the HGST Library; also available online:

† Schweitzer, Albert. The Quest of the Historical Jesus; A Critical Study of its Progress from Reimarus to Wrede. Trans., W. Montgomery, from the First German Edition, “von Reimarus zu Wrede,” 1906, online at http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/schweitzer/

Ch. 20, Results, pp. 398-403

The Gospel of Thomas, Translated by Stephen Patterson and Marvin Meyer, THE GNOSTIC SOCIETY LIBRARY, The Nag Hammadi Library, online at http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/gosthom.html; also at

http://www.misericordia.edu/users/davies/thomas/Trans.htm

September 20 - Quests for Jesus, Continued

Stein, Ch. 6, The Baptism of Jesus, pp. 90-101; Ch. 7, The Temptation of Jesus, pp. 102-111

Comments on Matthew 4:1-11 on the Professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2006,” “May 4, 2006”; cf. “Luke 4:1-13,” September 27, 2006"

Wright, Ch. 3, The Third Quest, pp. 83-124; Ch. 4, Profiles and Paradigms, pp. 125-144

† Robinson, William Childs, “Quest for Wrede’s secret Messiah,” Interpretation, 27, no. 1 (Jan., 1973), 10-30, available to HGST students through the ATLA Search program . This is a review of Wilhelm Wrede, The Messianic Secret, trans., J. C. G. Greig, 1972.

† Witherington, Ben, III. The Jesus Quest; The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth. New expanded edition; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995. 232.908 Wit, on reserve in the HGST Library

Preface, The First Two Quests, pp. 9-13.

September 27 - Jesus, the Prophet

Stein, Ch. 8, The Call of the Disciples, pp. 112-122

Comments on Mark 3:13-19 on the Professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2007,” “July 20, 2007”

Wright, Ch. 5, The Praxis of a Prophet, pp. 147-197

† Witherington, Ben, III. The Jesus Quest; The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth. New expanded edition; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995. 232.908 Wit, on reserve in the HGST Library

Chapter 3, Jesus the Itinerant Cynic Philosopher, pp. 58-92.

October 4 - The Message of Jesus

Stein, Ch.9, The Message of Jesus, pp. 123-140

Class Handout: PARABLES (Mt. 13 and Parallels)

Wright, Ch. 6, Announcement, pp. 198-243

† Baird, William. History of New Testament Research. Vol. Two, From Jonathan Edwards to Rudolf Bultmann. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003. 225.072 Bai v. 2. This book is on reserve in the HGST Library.

From Ch. 6, pp. 261-287

October 11 - Who is this Jesus?

Mid-Term Examination

Stein, Ch. 10, The Person of Jesus, pp. 141-155; Ch. 11, Caesarea Philippi, pp. 156-166

Wright, Ch. 7, Invitation, Welcome, Challenge and Situation, pp. 244-319

Charlesworth, James H. Jesus Within Judaism; New Light from Exciting Archaeological Discoveries. New York: Doubleday, 1988. 232.9 Cha

Chapter 6, Jesus’ Concept of God and His Self Understanding, pp. 131-172.

October 18 - Toward Confrontation

Stein, Ch. 12, Transfiguration, pp. 167-176; Ch. 13, Triumphal Entry, pp. 177-184

Comments on Mark 9:2-13 on the Professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2007,” “August 9, 2007”; and Mark 9:14-29, at “August 10, 2007”

Wright, Ch. 8, Judgment and Vindication, pp. 320-368

† Sanders, E. P. The Historical Figure of Jesus. London: Allen Lane, the Penguin Press, 1993. 232.9 San

Chapter 14, Contention and Opposition in Galilee, pp. 205-237.

October 25 - The Challenge in Jerusalem

Stein, Ch. 14, Cleansing the Temple, pp. 185-196

Comments on Mark 11:12-26 on the Professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2007,” “August 20, 2007”

Wright, Ch. 9, Symbol and Controversy, pp. 369-442

† Sanders, E. P. The Historical Figure of Jesus. London: Allen Lane, the Penguin Press, 1993. 232.9 San

Chapter 15, Jesus’ View of his Role in God’s Plan, pp. 238-248.

November 1 - Discipleship

Stein, Ch. 15, Last Supper, pp. 197-213

Comments on Luke 22:14-30 on the Professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2006,” “December 15, 2006”

Wright, Ch. 10, Questions of the Kingdom, pp. 443-472

November 8 - Final Confrontation

Stein, Ch. 16, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Arrest, pp. 214-223

Connents on Mark 12:28-34, 35-44 on the Professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2007,” “August 23 and 24, 2007”

Wright, Ch. 11, Meaning of Messiahship (part), pp. 477-510

† Fredriksen, Paula. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews; A Jewish Life and the Emergence of Christianity. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999. 232.9 Fre

Chapter 4 (Part), Contexts: The Galilee, Judea, and Jesus . . . Jesus and Purity, pp. 197-207; The Cleansing of the Temple, pp. 207-214; The Followers of Jesus, pp. 214-218; Galileans and Judeans in John, pp. 218-220; John’s Jesus, Mark’s Jesus, and the Crucifixion, pp. 220-225; The Temple, Again, pp. 225-234.

November 15 - The Trial

Stein, Ch. 17, The Trial, pp. 224-240

Comments on Matthew 26:57-68 on the Professor’s web site at http://rworden.markworden.com, “Devotions,” “Archive 2006,” “July 26, 2007”

Wright, Ch. 12, Reasons for Crucifixion (part), pp. 540-576

† Horsley, Richard A., with John S. Hanson. Bandits, Prophets, and Messiahs: Popular Movements in the Time of Jesus. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985, 1988. 909.049 Hor

Chapter 3, Royal Pretenders and Popular Messianic Movements, pp. 88-134

November 22 - Thanksgiving Break

November 29 - The Crucifixion

Stein, Ch. 18, Crucifixion, pp. 241-258

Wright, Ch. 13, Return of the King, pp. 612-653

Wright, Ch. 14, Results (again, cf. Aug. 30)

Class Handout: Professor’s unpublished review of John Dominic Crossan, The Cross that Spoke

December 6 - The Resurrection

Stein, Ch. 19, Resurrection, pp. 259-277

Review for Final Examination

December 13 - Final Examination

POSSIBLE TERM PAPER TOPICS

The following list is suggestive rather than comprehensive.

1. Herod the Great

2. The Successors of Herod the Great

3. The Pharisees

4. The Sadducees

5. The Essenes

6. Zealots, Sicarii and the "Fourth Philosophy"

7. Jewish Apocalyptic Movements

8. The Temple in Jesus' Time

9. The Priesthood in Jesus' Time

10. Hellenistic Cities in or near Jewish Palestine

11. The Languages of Jewish Palestine

12. History of the Samaritans

13. The Perspectives (Biases) of Josephus as Historian

14. The Narrative Framework of the Ministry of Jesus

15. The Prefects and Procurators of Palestine

16. Roman Client Kings

17. The Sanhedrin(s)

18. Taxation in Jewish Palestine

19. Messianic (and/or Prophetic) Uprisings in Jesus' Time

20. Roman Provocations and the "Abomination of Desolation"

21. Jesus' Teaching about the Kingdom of God

22. Messianic Consciousness or Messianic Secret?

23. Decisive Moments (Turning Points) in Jesus' Ministry

24. Legal Aspects of the Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus

25. Jesus and the Major Jewish Festivals

26. Chronological Problems related to the Life of Jesus

27. The Parables of Jesus

28. The Miracles of Jesus

29. Village Life in Jewish Palestine

30. Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus

31. The "Quest of the Historical Jesus"

32. The "New Quest of the Historical Jesus"

33. The Twelve

34. Jesus and Women

Topics related to kinds of material

Miracles

A selected miracle (and comparison with others)

Parables

A selected parable (and comparison with others)

and so forth

Thematic Studies

The Kingdom of Heaven/God

Apocalyptic Material in the Gospels

Jesus and the Poor

Jesus and the Laws of Purity (and Sabbath and other OT regulations)

Conflict in the Gospels

and so forth

Studies of Special Sections

The Christmas Story in Matthew and/or Luke

Contrasting emphases on kings and shepherds in the above

The Passion Narrative

Resurrection Narratives (in various Gospels and 1 Cor. 15)

Matthew's Five Major Discourses (one or more)

Conflict, Plot, and Character in Mark

Luke's Special Sources and/or his Travel Narrative (chaps. 9-18)

Character Studies

Women in the Gospels

Mary

John the Baptist

Peter

(One or more) other Disciples

Critical Approaches to the Gospels (historical and/or contemporary)

Source Criticism

Form Criticism

Redaction Criticism

Quest of the Historical Jesus (as reviewed by A. Schweitzer, for example)

20^th Century Quests of the Historical Jesus

The “Jesus Seminar”

Pros and Cons regarding the source “Q” and/or the International Q Project which published The Critical Edition of Q (Minneapolis: Fortress Press & Leuven: Peeters Publishers, 2000)

Perspective, Emphasis, and/or Theology of Matthew, Mark or Luke

Such a study would focus on particular aspects of one gospel, perhaps review and critique of one or more "Redactional" studies, e.g.

Bornkamm, Barth, Held on Matthew

Trilling on Matthew

R. H. Gundry on Matthew

Marxsen on Mark

Kelber on Mark

Weeden on Mark

Conzelmann on Luke (or Luke-Acts)

Flender on Luke

BIBLIOGRAPHY

See the list of books on Reserve (pp. 4-5, above).

Note that both of the textbooks have extensive bibliographies, references chapter-by-chapter in Stein, and pages 671-704 in Wright.

On the Professor’s Internet web site:

There are extensive bibliographies on the gospels on the Professor’s Internet web site at http://rworden.markworden.com/. Click on “Gospels” and choose either “Bibliography” or “Jesus Books.”

An annotated list of comprehensive Internet web sites is also on the Professor’s web site. Go to http://rworden.markworden.com, click on “Gospels,” and then on “Related Web Sites.” This list includes, for example, the following among others:

Virtual Religion Index (Rutgers University, Religion Department)

http://virtualreligion.net/vri/

This site is designed to advance research in matters of religion. As a global forum that may be accessed instantaneously anywhere, the internet promises to surpass the impact of the printing press on the study of religion. Gutenberg made possible the family Bible. The WWW puts a global library of free information on the desk of anyone with a computer & telephone line.

Links on this page:

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e.g. Judaic Studies: http://religion.rutgers.edu/vri/judaic.html, subtopics: General Resources, Hebrew Bible, Judean Commonwealth, Tannaitic Period, Talmud, Jewish Diaspora, Mysticism (Kabbalah), Modern Judaism