THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS: A Course Syllabus


NT 721                                                                                  Houston Graduate School of Theology

Fall 2006                                                                                   Professor Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.

Three hours                                                                                                        rdworden@hgst.edu

rworden@houston.rr.com


COURSE DESCRIPTION


            Studies in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke with a view to understanding them as wholes as well as in various parts and kinds of content. Attention is given to exegetical methods, historical and literary contexts, to the Synoptic problem, and to appropriate interpretation and application.



COURSE OBJECTIVES


            You should be able to demonstrate that you can:

 

1.         Describe and outline the contents of these books in general and in representative detail.

 

2.         Draw upon Biblical scholarship and the various methods applied to the study of the Gospels in order to explain their unusual features and distinctive contents and patterns.

 

3.         Evaluate various critical approaches to the study of the Gospels; enlarge, revise, and sharpen your own theoretical understanding of the Biblical material and its theological importance.

 

4.         Identify the basic principles in the teachings of Jesus and apply them to our own world.

 

5.         Develop an increasing appreciation of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, and the Redeemer of humanity.



COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

            1.         Read the assignments from the Assignment Schedule.

            2.         Seek to understand the biblical passages and books assigned. Suggestions for understanding:

                        a.         Basic outline of content and structure

                        b.         Genre and form (or element of form)

                        c.         Main point, for the evangelist (Matthew, Mark or Luke) and his first readers

                        d.         Stein’s summaries and conclusions.

                        e.         Identify and use commentaries and supplementary reference works

                        f.         Place within the larger context (larger section or whole epistle)

                        g.         Appropriate application in a modern Christian setting

            3.         Read the assignments from textbooks before the class for which they are assigned.

            4.         A term paper of a minimum of twelve typewritten double-spaced pages, written according to the HGST Writer’s Manual, and the style presented in Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. The thesis topic and outline is due October 2 (four weeks from the beginning of the class), and the completed paper is due November 27 (the first class session after Thanksgiving).

            5.         Two examinations: Mid-term Examination, October 24, and Final Examination December 12.



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.


            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.


The following is school policy.

 

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.



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

 

Burridge, Richard A. Four Gospels, One Jesus? A Symbolic Reading. Second ed.; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.

 

Stein, Robert H. Studying the Synoptic Gospels; Origin and Interpretation. Second ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001. This is a revision of The Synoptic Problem, 1987.

 

One of the following, Student’s choice:

 

Aland, K[urt], ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels - Greek/English. Twelfth ed.; New York: American Bible Society (United Bible Societies), 2001. The English text is the Revised Standard Version, second ed., 1971, 1973.

 

OR

 

Aland, K[urt], ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels - English Edition. Revised Printing, New York: American Bible Society (United Bible Societies), 1985. The English text is the Revised Standard Version, second ed., 1971, 1973.

 

Books on Reserve in the HGST Library

 

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

 

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

 

Robinson, James M., ed. The Critical Edition of Q. Hermeneia–A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible: Supplements. Minneapolis: Fortress Press; Leuven: Peters Publishers, 2000. Personal Copy

 

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

 

_______. Jesus the Messiah; A Survey of the Life of Christ. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1996. 232.9 Ste

 

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

 

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

 

Sept. 5             Course Introduction, Approaches to the Gospels

Burridge, chaps. 1 “Four Gospels . . . (and 6 . . . One Jesus)

Stein, Introduction, pp. 17-29

Traditional Outline of the Life and Ministry of Jesus (Vollmer)

Harmonies, Synopses, and Comparative Outlines of the Gospels

 

Sept. 12           Gospel of Mark

Burridge, chap. 2, The Roar of the Lion–Mark’s Jesus

Stein, chap. 1, The Literary Interdependence of the Synoptic Gospels

Mark, chapters 2 and 3

Miracles and Miracle Stories

Cartlidge-Dungan, “Miracles”

 

Sept. 19           Stein, chap. 2, The Priority of Mark

Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 137-149, “Teachings”

Pronouncement Stories and Other Stories

Sayings and Teachings of Jesus

Mark, chapters 8, 9, 10

 

Sept. 26           Burridge, chap. 3, The Teacher of Israel, Matthew’s Jesus

Stein, chap. 3, The Existence of Q

The Sermon on the Mount/Plain

Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49

Worden, R., Ph.D. Dissertation (copy on reserve)

 

Oct. 3              Stein, chap. 4, The Matthew-Luke Agreements against Mark

Parables and other Figures of Speech

Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 140-141, “Rabbinic Parables”

Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8

 

Oct. 10            Stein, chap. 5, The “Solution” to the Synoptic Problem

                        Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 19-29, Gospel of Thomas

Apocryphal Gospels

                        The DaVinci Code 

 

Oct. 17            Stein, chap. 6, The Value of Source Criticism

                        Review

 

Oct. 24            Mid-Term Examination, first class “hour”;

Second class “hour”:

Stein, chap. 7, The Rise and Presuppositions of Form Criticism

Composition and Redaction of the Gospel

Burridge, pp. 15-23 (repeat, from chap. 1)

Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 5-16 (editors’ introduction, “Savior Gods”)

Mark 6-8 and parallel passages

 

Oct. 31            Stein, chap. 8, The General Reliability of the Oral Transmission of the Gospel

Form Criticism

Composition and Redaction of the Gospels, continued

                        Various Examples (Marxsen, Trilling, Conzelmann...)

                        The “Jesus Seminar”

Mark 9-10 and parallels

 

Nov. 7             Stein, chap. 9, The Value of Form Criticism

Luke’s Sources and his Travel Narrative (Burridge, pp. 104-8)

Luke 9:51-19:27, including several parables, e.g. Prodigal Son, Good Samaritan, etc.

 

Nov. 14           Stein, chap. 10, The Rise of Redaction Criticism

Stein, chap. 11, The Method and Practice of Redaction Criticism

Luke’s two-volume work: Luke-Acts

Burridge, chap. 4, The Bearer of Burdens–Luke’s Jesus

                        Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 121-127, “Prefaces”

Luke 1:1-4; 24:36-53; Acts 1:1-11 and the general structure of Luke-Acts

 

Nov. 21           Stein, chap. 12, The Value of Redaction Criticism

The Gospel of John

The Passion Narratives of the Gospels

                        Burridge, chap. 5

Worden, R., “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.

 

Nov. 28           Christmas and Easter (Burridge, pp. 67-71, 92-97, 100-104, 124-9)

                        Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 129-136, “Birth and Youth”

Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2; and various appearance narratives (Mt. 28, etc.)

                        Student Papers due (and shared)

 

Dec. 5             Further Sharing of Student Papers, Review

 

Dec. 12           Final Examination


Possible added assignments:

 

Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 185-199, “Ascensions and Epiphanies”

Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 171-184, “Apocalyptic Predictions”

Cartlidge-Dungan, pp. 203-228, Apollonius of Tyanna



SYNOPTIC GOSPELS TERM PAPER TOPICS


The following list is suggestive rather than comprehensive.


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)

20th 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



GOSPELS BIBLIOGRAPHY


On the Synoptic Gospels


            Texts


Aland, Kurt, ed. Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorum. 1969 ed., Rice, BS 2560.A2 A35 1969. Fifteenth rev. ed; Stuttgart: German Bible Society, 1996 (available from the American Bible Society in New York). This has extensive footnotes of parallels and quotations in the early Christian Fathers and related literature which are lacking in the Greek-English or English only editions.


_______, ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels. Ninth ed., New York: United Bible Societies, 1987. This has the Greek text (Nestle-Aland, 26th ed.) and the English translation (RSV, 2nd ed.) on facing pages.

 

_______, ed. Synopsis of the Four Gospels - English Edition. New York: United Bible Societies, 1982; revised printing, 1985. This has only English text, but includes cross references within the New Testament.

 

Burton, Ernest DeWitt and Goodspeed, Edgar Johnson, joint author. A harmony of the synoptic gospels: for historical and critical study. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, [1929]. 226.1 Bur

 

Burton, E. D., and E. J. Goodspeed. A Harmony of the Synoptic Gospels in Greek. 1922; A Harmony of the Synoptic Gospels. New York: Scribners, 1945. Rice, BS 2560.B8 1945

 

Throckmorton, Burton H., Jr. Gospel Parallels; A Synopsis of the First Three Gospels. Fourth ed., rev.; Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1979.

 

A Modern “Diatessaron”

 

Zarley, Kermit. The Gospels Interwoven. Reference edition “with harmonization endnotes . . .”; Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, a division of Scripture Press Publications, Inc., 1987. 226.05 Zar. [I believe this book was donated to HGST by the author, a professional golf player who produced the book as a concerned Christian. There may be more about him that I should know, but don’t. I met him once. RW]

 

Zarley, Kermit. The Gospel. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, a division of Scripture Press Publications, Inc., 1987. 226.05 Zar. This is the text-only version of the above, but with a table of contents and with an index of scripture references.

 

            Recent Works

 

Black, David Alan, and David R. Beck, edd. Rethinking the Synoptic Problem. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001. 226.066 Ret. Five essays, including an introductory essay, three challenges to the two-document hypothesis, and a concluding response.

 

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

 

 

Hultgren, Stephen. Narrative Elements in The Double Tradition: a study of their place within the framework of the gospel narrative. Berlin; New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2002.

 

Linnemann, Eta. Biblical criticism on trial: how scientific is "scientific theology"? Robert Yarbrough, trans. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, c2001.

 

Nickle, Keith Fullerton. The Synoptic Gospels: an introduction. Keith F. Nickle. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, c2001.

 

Hoffmann, Paul. Synoptic Concordance: a Greek concordance to the first three Gospels in synoptic arrangement, statistically evaluated, including occurences in Acts = grieschische Konkordanz zu den ersten drei Evangelien in synoptischer Darstellung, statistisch ausgewertet, mit Berücksichtigung der Apostelgeschichte. Paul Hoffmann, Thomas Hieke, Ulrich Bauer. Berlin; New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1999-2000.

 

Hall, David R. The gospel framework: fiction or fact?: a critical evaluation of Der Rahmen der Geschichte Jesu by Karl Ludwig Schmidt. David R. Hall. Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 1998

 

Robinson, James M., ed. The Critical Edition of Q. Hermeneia–A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible: Supplements. Minneapolis: Fortress Press; Leuven: Peters Publishers, 2000.

 

Thomas, Robert L., ed. Three views on the Origins of the Synoptic Gospels. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional, c2002..

 

            Modern Authors

 

I. Abrahams. Studies in Pharisaism and the Gospels. Two vols.; Cambridge, I, 1917; II, 1922; New York: KTAV, 1967. Rice, BS 2555.A32

 

Barclay, William. Introduction to the First Three Gospels. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975. A revised ed. of The First Three Gospels (SCM Press Ltd., 1966).

 

Bellinzoni, Arthur J. The Sayings of Jesus in the Writings of Justin Martyr. Supplements to Novum Testamentum, XVII; Leiden: Brill, 1967.

 

Black, Matthew. An Aramaic Approach to the Gospels and Acts. Second ed., Oxford, 1954; 3rd ed., 1967.

 

Black, Matthew, "The Recovery of the Language of Jesus," New Testament Studies, III (1957), 305-13.

 

Bruce, F. F., "Tradition and the Gospel," Tradition Old and New (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970), 39-57.

 

Bultmann, Rudolf. Die Geschichte der synoptischen Tradition. 1921; 8th ed.; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1970; trans., John Marsh; The History of the Synoptic Tradition, 1963; 2nd ed., Oxford, 1968; New York: Harper & Row, 1976. 226.06 Bul

 

Bultmann, Rudolf, "Ist voraussetzungslose Exegese möglich?" Theologische Zeitschrift, XIII (1957), 409-17; trans., Schubert M. Ogden, Existence and Faith: Shorter Writings of Rudolf Bultmann (Cleveland and New York: World, 1960), 289-96.

 

Bultmann, Rudolf. Jesus. 1926; trans., L. P. Smith and E. H. Lantero, Jesus and the Word; New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934 and 1958.

 

Bultmann, Rudolf, "The New Approach to the Synoptic Problem," Journal of Religion, VI (1926), 337-62; reprinted in Existence and Faith, 35-54.

 

Bultmann, Rudolf. Die Erforschung der Synoptischen Evangelien. Second ed.; 1931; trans., F. C. Grant, "The Study of the Synoptic Gospels," Form Criticism: Two Essays on New Testament Research (1934; New York: Harper and Row, 1962), 11-76.

 

Bultmann, Rudolf. Theology of the New Testament. Trans., Kendrick Grobel; New York: Charles Scribner's Sons I, 1951; II, 1955; reprinted, two vols. in 1; New York: Harper & Row, 1976.

 

Dalman, Gustaf. Jesus-Jeschua; Die drei Sprachen Jesu; Jesus in der Synagoge, auf dem Berge, beim Passahmahl, am Kreuz. Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung, 1922; trans., Paul P. Levertoff; London: S.P.C.K., 1929; reprinted, New York: KTAV, 1971.

 

Dibelius, Martin. Die Formgeschichte des Evangeliums. 1919; 5th ed., Tübingen, 1966; trans., B. L. Woolf; From Tradition to Gospel; New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, n.d. [trans. from the 2nd German ed. of 1933].

 

Doty, William G. "The Concept of Genre in Literary Analysis," Society of Biblical Literature 1972 Proceedings, Lane C. McGaughy, ed., II (prepared for the 108th annual meeting, Los Angeles, Sept. 1-5, 1972), 413-48.

 

Downing, F. Gerald, "Redaction Criticism: Josephus' Antiquities and the Synoptic Gospels," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 8 (1980), 29-48.

 

Edwards, Richard A. The Sign of Jonah: In the Theology of the Evangelists and Q. Studies in Biblical Theology; Naperville, Ill.: Allenson, 1971.

 

Farmer, William R. The Synoptic Problem, a critical analysis. New York: Macmillan, 1964.

 

Farmer, William R. Jesus and the Gospel; Tradition, Scripture and Canon. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1982. 226.012 FAR

 

Gaboury, Antonio, "Christological Implications Resulting from a Study of the Structure of the Synoptic Gospels," Society of Biblical Literature 1972 Proceedings, Lane C. McGaughy, ed., vol. I (prepared for the 108th annual meeting, Los Angeles, Sept. 1-5, 1972), 97-146.

 

Gaboury, Antonio. La Structure des Évangiles Synoptiques: La structure-type a l'origine des synoptiques. Supplements to Novum Testamentum, XXIII; Leiden: Brill, 1970.

 

Gerhardsson, Birger. Memory and Manuscript. Oral Tradition and Written Transmission in Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity. Acta Seminarii Neotestamentici Upsaliensis, 22; trans., E. J. Sharpe; Lund: C. W. K. Gleerup, 1961.

 

Gerhardsson, Birger. Tradition and Transmission in Early Christianity. Trans., E. J. Sharpe; Lund: C. W. K. Gleerup, 1964.

 

Glover, Richard, "The Didache's Quotations and the Synoptic Gospels," New Testament Studies, V (1958), 12-29.

 

Grant, F. C. The Gospels: Their Origin and their Growth. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1957. Rice, BS 2555.G684

 

Güttgemanns, Erhardt. Offene Fragen zur Formgeschichte des Evangeliums: Eine methodologische Skizze der Grundlagenproblematik der Form- und Redaktionsgeschichte. Beihefte zur Evangelische Theologie, LIV; Munich: C. Kaiser, 1971; trans., Candid Questions Concerning Gospel Form Criticism: A Methodological Sketch of the Fundamental Problematics of Form and Redaction Criticism. Pittsburgh: Pickwick, 1979.

 

Harnack, Adolf von. Sprüche und Reden Jesu ["Sayings and Speeches of Jesus”]: die zweite Quelle des Matthäus und Lukas. Beiträge zur Einleitung in das Neue Testament, II; Leipzig: J. C. Hinrichs'sche Buchhandlung, 1907; trans., J. R. Wilkinson; New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, and London: Williams & Norgate, 1908.

 

Hawkins, John C. Horae Synopticae: Contributions to the Study of the Synoptic Problem. Oxford: Clarendon, 1899; 2nd ed., 1909. Rice, BS 2555.H25 1968

 

Hill, David. New Testament Prophecy. Richmond: John Knox, 1979.

 

Honoré, A. M., "A Statistical Study of the Synoptic Problem," Novum Testamentum, X (1968), 95-147.

 

Jeremias, Joachim, "Abba," trans., John Bowden, The Prayers of Jesus (Studies in Biblical Theology, 2nd ser., VI; London: SCM, 1967), 11-65.

 

Kee, Howard Clark. Jesus in History: An Approach to the Study of the Gospels. Second ed.; New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, c. 1977.

 

Kelber, Werner H. The Oral and the Written Gospel. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983. Rice, BS 2555.2.K44 1983

 

Knox, W. L. The Sources of the Synoptic Gospels. Two vols.; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1957.

 

Köster, Helmut, "éîùïÇê âêÇöÄÉÄê: The Origins and Nature of Diversification in the History of Early Christianity," Harvard Theological Review, LVIII (1965), 279-318; reprinted with minor changes, James M. Robinson and Helmut Koester, Trajectories through Early Christianity (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971), 114-57.

 

Köster, Helmut, "One Jesus and Four Primitive Gospels," Harvard Theological Review, LXI (1968), 203-47; reprinted with minor changes in Trajectories, 158-204.

 

Kümmel, Werner G., ed. Introduction to the New Testament, founded by Paul Feine and Johannes Behm. Fourteenth ed., trans., A. J. Mattill, Jr.; Nashville and New York: Abingdon, 1966.

 

Kümmel, Werner G. Das Neue Testament: Geschichte der Erforschung seiner Probleme. Orbis Academicus, III, part 3; 2nd ed., Freiburg, München: Karl Alber, 1970; trans., S. McLean Gilmour and Howard C. Kee; Nashville and New York: Abingdon, 1972.

 

Lachmann, Karl, "De ordine narrationum in evangeliis synopticis," Theologische Studien und Kritiken, VIII (1835), 570-90; reprinted in the preface to vol. II of Novum Testamentum Graece et Latine, 1850; extensively quoted in translation by N. H. Palmer, "Lachmann's Argument," New Testament Studies, XIII (1966-67), 368-78.

 

Liebermann, Saul. Greek in Jewish Palestine. New York: The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1942.

 

Liebermann, Saul. Hellenism in Jewish Palestine. Second ed.; New York: The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, 1962.

 

Lightfoot, R. H. History and Interpretation in the Gospels. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1935.

 

Longmann, Tremper, III. Literary Approaches to Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987.

 

McArthur, Harvey K., ed. In Search of the Historical Jesus. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1969.

 

McKnight, Edgar V. What is Form Criticism? Philadelphia: Fortress, 1969.

 

McKnight, Scot. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1988.

 

Manson, T. W. The Sayings of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels according to St. Matthew and St. Luke arranged with introduction and commentary. London: SCM, 1949; published earlier as "The Sayings of Jesus," The Mission and Message of Jesus: an exposition of the Gospels in the light of modern research, part II (1937; New York: E. P. Dutton, 1938), 299-639.

 

Manson, T. W. The Teaching of Jesus; Studies in its Form and Content. Second ed.; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1935; reprinted, 1967.

 

Marshall, I. Howard. I Believe in the Historical Jesus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977.

 

Metzger, Bruce M., "The Language of the New Testament," George A. Buttrick, ed., The Interpreter's Bible, VII (New York and Nashville: Abingdon, 1951), 43-59.

 

Meyer, Ben F. The Aims of Jesus. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.

 

Montefiore, C. G. The Synoptic Gospels, edited with an Introduction and Commentary. 2 vols.; KTAV, 1968. Rice, BS 2555.M63 1968

 

Neirynck, Franz. The Minor Agreements of Matthew and Luke Against Mark, with a Cumulative List. Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicccarum Lovaniensium, 37; Louvain: Louvain University Press, 1974.

 

Ogg, George. The Chronology of the Public Ministry of Jesus. Cambridge: Cambridgbe University Press, 1940.

 

Palmer, N. H., "Lachmann's Argument," New Testament Studies, XIII (1966-67), 368-78.

 

Piper, Otto A., "The Nature of the Gospel According to Justin Martyr," Journal of Religion, XLI (1961), 155-68.

 

Piper, Otto A., "The Origin of the Gospel Pattern," Journal of Biblical Literature, LXXVIII (1959), 115-24.

 

Reicke, Bo. The Roots of the Synoptic Gospels. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.

 

Rist, John M. On the Independence of Matthew and Mark. Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, 32; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1978.

 

Robinson, James M. A New Quest of the Historical Jesus. Studies in Biblical Theology, 25; London: SCM, 1959.

 

Rohde, Joachim. Rediscovering the Teaching of the Evangelists. London: SCM, 1968.

 

Stanton, Graham N. Jesus of Nazareth in New Testament Preaching. Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, 27; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974.

 

Stanton, Graham N. The Gospels and Jesus. The Oxford Bible Series; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989.

 

Stein, Robert. The Synoptic Problem: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987. 226.06 Ste

 

Stoldte, Hans-Herbert. History and Criticism of the Marcan Hypothesis. Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1980. Rice, BS 2585.2.S7613 (German ed., Rice, BS 2585.2.S76)

 

Stonehouse, Ned B. The Witness of the Synoptic Gospels to Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.

 

Streeter, B. H. The Four Gospels: A Study of Origins. London: Macmillan, 1924. Rice, BS 2555.S75 1930

 

Talbert, Charles H. What Is a Gospel? The Genre of the Canonical Gospels. Philadelphia: Fortress, c. 1977. Rice, BS 2555.2.T24

 

Taylor, Vincent. The Formation of the Gospel Tradition. Second ed.; London: Macmillan, 1935.

 

Taylor, Vincent. The Gospels. 5th ed.; London: Epworth Press, 1945. Rice BS 2555.T3 1956

 

Torrey, C. C. The Four Gospels. New York: Harper, 1933.

 

Tuckett, C. M. The Revival of the Griesbach Hypothesis; an analysis and appraisal. Cambridge University Press, 1983. Rice, BS 2555.55.T75 1983

 

Vaganay, L. Le problème synoptique: Une hypothèse de travail. Paris: Desclée, 1954.

 

Weiss, Johannes. Jesus' Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

 

Weisse, C. H. Die evangelische Geschichte kritisch und philosophisch bearbeitet. Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, 1838.

 

Westcott, B. F. Introduction to the Study of the Gospels. Eighth ed.; London: Macmillan, 1895.

 

Wilke, C. G. Der Urevangelist oder exegetisch-kritische Untersuchungen über das Verwandtschaftsverhältniss der drei ersten Evangelien. Dresden and Leipzig, 1838.

 

Matthew


            Modern Authors, Recent


Parambi, Baby, The Discipleship of the Women in the Gospel according to Matthew: an exegetical theological study of Matt. 27: 51b-56, 57-61 and 28: 1-10. Baby Parambi. Roma: Pontificia Università Gregoriana, 2003.

 

Steiner, Rudolf, 1861-1925. According to Matthew: the Gospel of Christ's humanity. Lectures by Rudolf Steiner; translated by Catherine E. Creeger; introduction by Richard Smoley. Great Barrington, MA: Anthroposophic Press, c2002


            Modern Authors, Older


Albright, W. F., and C. S. Mann, Matthew: Introduction, Translation, and Notes. Anchor Bible, 26; Garden City: Doubleday, 1981.

 

Allen, W. C. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to S. Matthew. Third ed.; International Critical Commentary; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1912.

 

Bacon, B. W. Studies in Matthew. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1930.

 

Barth, Gerhard, "Das Gesetzesverständnis des Evangelisten Matthäus" ["Matthew's Understanding of the Law"], G. Bornkamm, G. Barth, and H. J. Held, Überlieferung und Auslegung im Matthausevangelium; 4th ed. (Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testament, Neukirchen: Neukirchener Verlag, 1965), 54-154; Percy Scott, trans., Tradition and Interpretation in Matthew (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1963), 58-164.

 

Beare, F. W. The Gospel According to Matthew. Oxford: Blackwell, 1981.

 

Brown, Raymond E. The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives. Garden City: Doubleday, 1977. BS 2575.2.B76

 

Butler, B. C. The Originality of St. Matthew: A Critique of the Two-Document Hypothesis. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1951.

 

Davies, W. D. The Sermon on the Mount. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1966.

 

Davies, W. D. The Setting of the Sermon on the Mount. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1964.

 

Dodd, C. H., "The Beatitudes: a form-critical study," Mélanges Bibliques rédigés en l'honneur de Andrea Robert (Paris: Bloud & Gay, 1955); reprinted, in More New Testament Studies (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1968), 1-10.

 

Goulder, M. D. Midrash and Lection in Matthew. London: S.P.C.K., 1974. Rice, BS 2575.2.G68 1974

 

Gundry, Robert H. Matthew: A Commentary in His Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.

 

Hill, D. The Gospel of Matthew. New Century Bible; London: Oliphants, 1972.

 

M. J. Lagrange. Evangile selon Saint Matthieu. Paris: Lecoffre, 1948. Rice, BS 2575.L3 1941.

 

Lohmeyer, Ernst. Das Evangelium des Matthäus. Ed., W. Schmauck; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1956.

 

McNeile, A. H. The Gospel According to St. Matthew: The Greek Text with Introduction, Notes and Indices. London: Macmillan, 1915. This is still one of the best on this gospel.

 

Neirynck, F., "The Gospel of Matthew and Literary Criticism--A Critical Analysis of A. Gaboury's Hypothesis," Society of Biblical Literature 1972 Proceedings, Lane C. McGaughy, ed., vol. I (prepared for the 108th annual meeting, Los Angeles, Sept. 1-5, 1972), 147-79.

 

Plummer, A. An Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to S. Matthew. Second ed.; London: Elliot Stock, 1919; reprinted, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1953.

 

Ridderbos, H. N. Matthew. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987.

 

Shuler, Philip L. A Genre for the Gospels: The Biographical Character of Matthew. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982. Rice, BS 2555.2.S47 1982

 

Stendahl, Krister. The School of St. Matthew. Second ed.; Philadelphia: Fortress, 1968.

 

Strecker, Georg. Der Weg der Gerechtigkeit; Unterrsuchungen zur Theologie des Matthäus. Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments, 82; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1962. Rice, BS 2575.2 S82 1966.

 

van Tilborg, Sjef. The Jewish Leaders in Matthew. Leiden: Brill, 1972.

 

Trilling, Wolfgang. Das wahre Israel: Studien zur Theologie des Matthäus-Evangeliums. Munich: Kösel, 1964. Rice, BS 2575.2.T75 1964

 

Walker, R. Die Heilsgeschichte im ersten Evangelium. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1967.


Mark


            Mark, Recent


Dart, John. Decoding Mark. John Dart. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, c2003.

 

            Mark, Older


Cranfield, C. E. B. The Gospel According to Saint Mark: An Introduction and Commentary. Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary; Cambridge University Press, 1959.

 

Farrer, Austin. A Study in St. Mark. Westminster: Dacre, 1951; New York: Oxford University Press, 1952. Rice, BS 2585.F3

 

Guelich, Robert A. Mark 1-8:26. Word Bible Commentary; Waco, Tx: Word, 1987.

 

Haenchen, Ernst. Der Weg Jesu: Eine Erklarung des Markusevangelium und der kanonischen Parallelen. Berlin: Töpelmann, 1966.

 

Hengel, Martin. Studies in the Gospel of Mark. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1985.

 

Kee, Howard Clark. Community of the New Age: Studies in Mark's Gospel. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1977.

 

Kelber, Werner H. Mark's Story of Jesus. Philadelphia: Fortreess, 1979. Kelber is Chairman of the Department of Religious Studies at Rice University.

 

Kelber, Werner H. The Passion in Mark; Studies on Mark 14-16. Philadelphia: Fortress, c. 1976. Rice, BS 2585.2.P3

 

Kingsbury, Ja Dean. The Christology of Mark's Gospel. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983.

 

Lagrange, M.-J. Evangile Selon Saint Marc. Paris: Librarie Lecoffre. Rice, BS 2585.L3 1947

 

Lane, William L. The Gospel According to Mark. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.

 

Lohmeyer, Ernst. Galiläa und Jerusalem. Forschungen zur Religion und Litreratur des Alten und Neuen Testaments, 34; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1936.

 

Malbon, Elizabeth Struthers. Narrative Space and Mythic Meaning in Mark. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1986.

 

Mann, C. S. Mark. Anchor Bible, 27; Garden City: Doubleday, 1986.

 

Martin, Ralph P. Mark: Evangelist and Theologian. Contemporary Evangelical Perspectives; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 197 (Exeter: Paternoster, c. 1972).

 

Marxsen, Willie. Der Evangelist Markus, Studien zur Redaktionsgeschichte des Evangeliums. Forschungen zur Religion und Literatur des Alten und Neuen Testaments, LXVII; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1956; 2nd ed., 1959; trans., James Boyce et al., Mark the Evangelist, New York and Nashville: Abingdon, 1969.

 

Marxsen, Willi. Mark the Evangelist. Nashville: Abingdon, 1969.

 

Matera, Frank J. What Are They Saying About Mark? New York: Paulist Press, 1987.

 

Nineham, D. E. The Gospel of St. Mark The Pelican Gospel Commentaries; Baltimore: Penguin, 1964.

 

Peabody, David Barrett. Mark as Composer. Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1987.

 

Pryke, E. J. Redactional Style in the Marcan Gospel. Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, 33; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1978.

 

Rabinowitz, I. "'Be Opened' = Eph́phatha (Mk. 7, 34): Did Jesus Speak Hebrew?" Zeitschrift für die Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft, LIII (1962), 229-38.

 

Schweizer, E. The Good News according to Mark. Trans., D. H. Madvig; Richmond: John Knox, 1970.

 

Stock, Augustine. The Method and Message of Mark. Wilmington, Del.: Glazier, 1989.

 

Taylor, Vincent. The Gospel according to St. Mark: The Greek Text with Introduction, Notes and Indexes. Second ed.; London: Macmillan, and New York: St. Martin's, 1966. This is one of the best commentaries on Mark.

 

Tiede, David. The Charismatic Figure as Miracle Worker. Missoula, Mont.: Scholars Press, 1972.

 

Tolbert, Mary Ann. Sowing the Gospel: Mark's World in Literary-Historical Perspective. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress, 1989

 

Turner, H. E. W., "The Tradition of Mark's Dependence upon Peter," Expository Times, 71 (1959-60), 260-63.


Weeden, Theodore J. Mark: Traditions in Conflict. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.


Wrede, Wilhelm. Das Messiasgeheimnis in den Evangelien. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 19-01; 3rd ed., 1963; English trans., London: J. Clarke, 1971.


Wrede, Wilhelm. The Messianic Secret. London: J. Clarke, 1971; trans. of Das Messiasgeheimnis in den Evangelien, 1901; 3rd ed., Göttingen: Fandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1963.


Luke, Recent


Buehrens, John A., Understanding the Bible: an introduction for skeptics, seekers, and religious liberals. John A. Buehrens. Boston: Beacon Press, c2003.

 

Steiner, Rudolf, 1861-1925. According to Luke: the gospel of compassion and love revealed: a cycle of ten lectures by Rudolf Steiner; with an introduction and descriptive outline by Robert A. McDermott; [translation by Catherine E. Creeger]. Great Barrington, MA: Anthroposophic Press, c2001.


Luke, Older


Argyle, A. W., "Evidence for the View that St. Luke used St. Matthew's Gospel," Journal of Biblical Literature, LXXXIII (1964), 390-96.

 

Arndt, W. F. The Gospel According to St. Luke. Bible Commentary; St. Louis: Concordia, 1956.

 

Barrett, C. K. Luke the Historian in Recent Study. London: Epworth, 1961.

 

Bock, Darrell L. Proclamation from Prophecy and Pattern: Lucan Old Testament Christology. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplements, 12; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1987.

 

Cadbury, Henry J., "Four Features of Lucan Style," L. E. Keck and J. L. Martyn, edd., Studies in Luke-Acts (Essays presented in honor of Paul Schubert; London: S.P.C.K., 1968), 87-102.

 

Cadbury, Henry J. The Making of Luke-Acts. New York: Macmillan, 1927; reprinted, London: S.P.C.K., 1968.

 

Cadbury, Henry J. The Style and Literary Method of Luke. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1919.

 

Caird, G. B. The Gospel of St. Luke. The Pelican Gospel Commentaries; Baltimore: Penguin, 1963.

 

Chance, J. Bradley. Jerusalem, the Temple, and the New Age in Luke-Acts. Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 1988.

 

Conzelmann, Hans. Die Mitte der Zeit; Studien zur Theologie des Lukas. Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 1953; 2nd ed., 1957, Rice, BS 2595.C58; trans., Geoffrey Buswell; The Theology of St. Luke; London and New York, 1960; London: Faber and Faber, 1961. Rice, BS 2589.Z75C63 1961

 

Creed, J. M. The Gospel according to St. Luke: The Greek Text with Introduction, Notes, and Indices. London: Macmillan, 1930.

 

Ellis, E. Earle. The Gospel of Luke. The Century Bible, New Ed.; London: Thomas Nelson, 1966.

 

Ellis, E. Earle. Eschatology in Luke. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1972.

 

Farris, Stephen. The Hymns of Luke's Infancy Narratives: Their Origin, Meaning, and Significance. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplements, 9; Sheffield: Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 1985.

 

Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Gospel According to Luke. Anchor Bible, 28, 28A; New York: Doubleday, 1983-85.

 

Fitzmyer, Joseph A., "The Priority of Mark and the 'Q' Source in Luke," Perspective, XI (1970), 131-70.

 

Flender, Helmut. St. Luke, Theologian of Redemptive History. London: S.P.C.K., 1967.

 

Godet, F. A Commentary on the Gospel of Luke. Two vols.; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, n.d.

 

Gooding, David. According to Luke: A New Exposition of the Third Gospel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.

 

Geldenhuys, Norval. The Gospel According to Luke. New International Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, [date? recent].

 

Jervell, J. Luke and the People of God: A New Look at Luke-Acts. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1973.

Juel, Donald. Luke-Acts: The Promise of History. Atlanta: John Knox, 1985.

 

Karris, Robert J. Luke: Artist and Theologian. Luke's Passion Account as Literature. New York: Paulist Press, 1985.

 

Maddox, R. The Purpose of Luke-Acts. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1982.

 

Marshall, I. Howard. Commentary on Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. The New International Greek Testament Commentary; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978. BS 2595.3.M37 1978

 

Marshall, I. Howard. Luke: Historian and Theologian. Exeter: Paternoster, 1970; new, enlarged ed., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.

 

Plummer, A. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Luke. Tenth ed.; International Critical Commentary; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1914; cf. 1922 ed., Rice, BS 2595.P5 1922

 

Rehkopf, Friedrich. Der lukanische Sonderquelle. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament, 5; Tübingen: Mohr, 1959.

 

Sabourin, Leopold. The Gospel According to St. Luke: Introduction and Commentary. Bombay: St. Paul, 1984.

 

Seccombe, David Peter. Possessions and the Poor in Luke-Acts. Linz: Studien zum Neuen Testament und seiner Umwelt, 1982.

 

Talbert, Charles H. Literary Patterns, Theological Themes, and the Genre of Luke-Acts. Society of Biblical Literature Monograph Series, 20; Missoula, Mont.: Scholars Press, 1974.

 

Talbert, Charles H. Reading Luke. New York: Crossroad, 1984.

 

Taylor, Vincent. Behind the Third Gospel. Oxford: Clarendon, 1926.

 

Taylor, Vincent. The Passion Narrative of St. Luke: A Critical and Historical Investigation. Ed., Owen E. Evans; Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, 19; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1972.

 

Wilcock, Michael. Savior of the World: The Message of Luke's Gospel. Leicester: InterVarsity Press, 1979.