NT201 - Jesus and the Gospels

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 5
    AQF level
  • new testamentUnit Discipline

Exclusions

NT240 if enrolled simultaneously or completed prior to commencement in NT201

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

  1. The contents, themes and character of the canonical Gospel traditions
  2. The life and ministry of Jesus

B. Be able to

  1. Describe the historical, socio-cultural, religious and political setting of first-century Palestine as the context of Jesus’ life and ministry
  2. Identify the distinctive features of the four gospels and the interrelationships between them
  3. Sketch the life and identity of Jesus
  4. Outline the message and ministry of Jesus

C. Be in a position to

  1. Use perspectives from ‘Jesus and the Gospels’ for personal understanding and in teaching 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:

  1. A detailed study of one or more gospels
  2. Distinctive features of the Gospels
  3. The interrelationship of the Gospels

(c) The identity and life of Jesus:

  1. The designations and titles of Jesus
  2. The passion and resurrection narratives

(d) The message and ministry of Jesus:

  1. The Kingdom of God in the proclamation of Jesus
  2. The significance and interpretation of the parables
  3. The ethics of Jesus, including the Sermon on the Mount
  4. 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

Recommended:

Bailey, K. E., Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes (Downers Grove: IVP, 2008).

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).

Bock, D. L., and Wallace, D. B., Dethroning Jesus: Exposing Popular Culture's Quest to Unseat the Biblical Christ (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007).

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).

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

Burridge, R. A., Four Gospels One Jesus (2nd & updated ed.; London: SPCK, 2005).

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

Martin, R. P., New Testament Foundations: A Guide for Christian Students Vol. 1: The Four Gospels (Rev. Ed.; Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 1999).

Painter, J. W., New Testament Readings: Mark's Gospel (New York: Routledge, 1997).

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

Walker, P. W. L., In the Steps of Jesus (Oxford: Lion, 2007).

Wright, T., Who Was Jesus? (London: SPCK, 2005).