NT001-712 - Jesus and the Gospels

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 7
    AQF level
  • Category foundational unit
    A
  • new testamentUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code NT501. Unit exclusions: It is not permitted to enrol in this unit concurrently with NT003-512 or NT003-712.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Functional knowledge and understanding of the ministry of Jesus and the contents, themes and character of the canonical Gospels.

B. Be able to

1. Explain the influence of the historical, socio-cultural, religious and political setting of first-century Palestine as the context of Jesus’ life and ministry

2. Critically Analyse the distinctive features of the four Gospels and the interrelationships between them

3. Present Critical evidence-based perspectives on: a) the life and identity of Jesus; and b) the message and ministry of Jesus

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives from ‘Jesus and the Gospels’ to contemporary Christian living and ministry contexts

Content

Jesus’ life and ministry, with special reference to the following:

a. Context and setting: The historical, socio-cultural, religious and political setting of first century Palestine.

b. One Gospel and four Gospels:

i. A detailed study of one or more gospels.

ii. Distinctive features of the Gospels.

iii. The interrelationship of the Gospels.

c. The identity and life of Jesus:

i. The designations and titles of Jesus.

ii. The passion and resurrection narratives.

d. The message and ministry of Jesus:

i. The Kingdom of God in the proclamation of Jesus.

ii. The significance and interpretation of the parables.

iii. The ethics of Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount.

iv. The miracles of Jesus and their significance.

e. Reflection (through a-d) on the significance of Jesus Christ for contemporary life and ministry.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Barton, S. C., (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels, Cambridge Companions to Religion (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006).

Bauckham, R. (ed.), The Gospels for All Christians: Rethinking the Gospel Audiences (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998).

Becker, J., Jesus of Nazareth (New York: Walter de Gruyter and Co, 1998).

Blomberg, C. L., Jesus and the Gospels (Leicester: Apollos, 2002 repr).

Bockmuehl, M., The Cambridge Companion to Jesus (Cambridge: CUP, 2001).

Bock, D. L., Studying the Historical Jesus: A Guide to Sources and Methods (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002).

Bock, D. L. and G. J. Herrick. Jesus in Context: Background Readings for Gospel Study. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2005).

Bolt, P. G., The Cross from a Distance: Atonement in Mark’s Gospel (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2004).

Borg, M. J., Jesus (New York: Happer One, 2008).

Dungan, D. L., A History of the Synoptic Problem, Anchor Bible Reference Library (New York: Doubleday, 1999).

Edwards, J. R., The Gospel According to Mark (PNTC). (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002).

Gnilka, J., Jesus of Nazareth: Message and History (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1997).

Harding, M. and A. Nobbs (eds), The Content and Setting of the Gospel Tradition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010).

Hultgren, A. J., The Parables of Jesus: A Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

Malbon, E. S., Hearing Mark: A Listener's Guide (Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2002).

Rhoads, D., J. Dewey and D. Michie, Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel (2nd ed. Minneapolis:Fortress Press, 1999).

Seccombe, D., The King of God’s Kingdom: A Solution to the Puzzle of Jesus (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2002).

Stanton, G. N., The Gospels and Jesus, Oxford Bible Series, (2nd ed.; New York: Oxford University Press, 2002).

Stein, R. H., Studying the Synoptic Gospels. (2nd Ed.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001).

Strauss, M. L., Four Portraits, One Jesus: An Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007).

Wright, N. T., Jesus and the Victory of God. (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996).

Wright, N. T., The Resurrection of the Son of God. (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003).

Wright, N.T. and M. Bird. The New Testament in its World. Rapids: Zondervan, 2019