Assignment:
Course Description:
The New Testament record of the development of Christianity from a sect within Judaism to becoming a world religion. This course will examine the foundational texts of Christian Scripture with attention to historical context, the intentions of the authors and the way the texts were edited.
Prerequisite:
None
Textbooks:
The Catholic Study Bible Third Edition, Edited by Donald Senior, et. al.(Oxford University Press, 2016).
Imperato, Robert. Portraits of Jesus. Revised edition. Lanham: Hamilton Books, 2018.
ISBN: 978-0-7618-6985-6
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to
1. Describe historical and editorial development of early Christianity as reflected in the New Testament assessed in first test and in papers.
2. Articulate the relationships between religious or philosophical traditions and their cultural, historical, and/or political context(s) by exploring how the historical and cultural settings of the New Testament, including geography of Israel, groups of Jews, and the concerns of early Jewish groups influence the writing of the New Testament texts through first test and paper 1.
3. Describe the formation of the New Testament writings through discussion questions, first test.
4. Identify the literary and theological characteristics of each gospel and of the Pauline letters through first test, final exam, discussion questions.
5. Analyze N.T. texts using contemporary interpretive approaches through discussion questions, papers, and test.
6. Analyze beliefs, practices, values, texts and/or figures of different traditions (religious/philosophical/ethical) through integration of scholarly biblical reference materials to research meanings of biblical themes, and passages through papers.
7. Explain and contrast understandings of different portraits of Jesus and the meaning of Christian discipleship through first test final exam and discussion questions.
8. Communicate effectively for a determined purpose while engaging in a critical reading of the New Testament which involves discovery of values, contexts, styles, assumptions and intentions. By leading the students beyond naïve reading to critical reading will exemplify the core value of excellence papers, first test, final exam, discussion questions.
Saint Leo Core Values
Core Value:
Excellence: Saint Leo University is an educational enterprise. All of us, individually and collectively, work hard to ensure that our students develop the character, learn the skills, and assimilate the knowledge essential to become morally responsible leaders. The success of our University depends upon a conscientious commitment to our mission, vision, and goals.
Choose just one of the two options below to complete this assignment.
Option A
Identify any historical purpose(s) behind the writing of Mark's and Matthew's Gospels. Include a reference to any historical factor mentioned in the recommended sources that may have triggered the writing of both Matthew's and Mark's Gospels as well as references to statements within both of the Gospels themselves. Class lesson material can be used in addition to the recommended sources. Include at least one historical factor and at least one reference to each Gospel studied. Restrict your resources to those below as well as any information within the course modules as well as your text Portraits of Jesus. Be sure to distinguish between paraphrase and direct quotes. Type a 350 to 750 word paper using MLA formatting.
Resources for this paper relative to Mark's Gospel:
See the ebook via SLU library: The Gospels of Jesus by Stanton (2002), pp. 48-53.
Resources for this paper relative to Matthew's Gospel:
See the ebook via SLU library: The Gospels of Jesus by Stanton (2002), pp. 74-78.
See the ebook via SLU library: New Testament History and Literature by Martin (2012), pp. 93-107.
Resources for this paper relative to Mark's Gospel:
See the ebook via SLU library: The Gospels by Barton and Muddiman (2010),
Resources for this paper relative to Mark's Gospel:
See the eBook via SLU library: The Gospel to The Romans: The Setting and Rhetoric of Mark's Gospel Leiden: Brill, (2003),
Resources for this paper relative to Matthew's Gospel:
See the eBook via SLU library: The Gospel of Matthew and Christian Judaism by T&T Clarke by Sim, David (1998), p. 113 and following
Option B
Explain how and why Matthew may have edited Mark's Gospel. Use the following two sets of passages to support your claim.
According to course materials (Bible, textbook, digital materials linked below, etc.):
1. How and why would Matthew have edited Mark 6:45-52 contrasted with Matthew 14:25-27,32-33?
2. How and why would Matthew have edited Mark 9:2-10 contrasted with Matthew 17:1-13?
Be sure to distinguish between paraphrase and direct quotes. Type a 350 to 750 word paper using MLA formatting.
Resources for this paper:
See the ebook via SLU library: New Testament History and Literature by Martin (2012), pp. 106-108.
See the ebook via SLU library: The Gospels by Barton and Muddiman (2010), p. 56.