Rel 211: The New Testament Gospels

Dr. Eric D. Huntsman

Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture; Affiliated Faculty, Classics and Ancient Near Eastern Studies

316-L JSB, ext. 2-3359

eric_huntsman@byu.edu, http://www.erichuntsman.com

Consultations: MW 2–2:50 p.m.; TTh 9–9:50 a.m.

Winter 2011

Course Description: Rel 211 is a survey study of the four New Testament gospels intended to illustrate the life, teachings, and, above all, the suffering, sacrifice, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will examine the gospels as scripture and ancient texts, setting them in their ancient historical and cultural contexts while examining them as testimonies of the atoning mission of the Savior. As texts, we will work to appreciate their literary artistry, identifying their structures, imagery, and themes. As works of scripture, we will study them in order to realize more fully the promise of John 20:31 that "these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

After reviewing the background of the gospels, we will first examine Mark, perhaps the earliest written of the four gospels, to understand its approach and to gain a better understanding of the basic life and mission of our Lord. We will then proceed to survey Matthew and Luke, comparing and contrasting them to each other and with Mark. The final unit will study John and then culminate in a consideration of the Passion Narratives in all four gospels, reflecting upon the pivotal events from the Last Supper through the Resurrection.

FOCUSES

  • Mortal Ministry

  • Suffering (Passion)

  • Sacrifice (Crucifixion)

  • Resurrection

Course Objectives: This section of Rel 211 has three major objectives:

  • First, to increase the student’s knowledge of the gospels—that is, to familiarize him or her with their basic storylines, characters, themes and theological concepts.
  • Second, to help the student read, analyze, discuss, and write about the Bible as both a source of scriptural knowledge and as a sacred text.
  • Third, to strengthen individual testimonies of sacred truths, particularly by an increased understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the Restoration.

Class discussions, quizzes, and exams will all be formatted with these three overarching objectives in mind.

Links and Bookmarks

Upcoming Dates:

Lecture outlines and presentations Handouts of each in-class presentation (2 slides per page) are available at each link below.

Introduction

  • 1. Course Introduction.

    Description, Course Objectives, and Requirements. What does the term "gospel" mean? What are the New Testament gospels? Focuses: Mortal Ministry, Suffering (Passion), Sacrifice (Crucifixion) Resurrection. Suggestions for Class Preparation. See also: JCWNT, "The World of the Gospels," 46–57 (out of order in packet).

Updated 2/7/11

Unit 1: Background, Beginnings (Infancy Narratives), and Mark

7. The Galilean Ministry Concludes: The First Mission of the Twelve, Great Deeds, Christ on the "Hollowness" of the Pharisaic Traditions, and Peter’s Declaration. Christ’s Mission Begins to Expand Beyond Galilee, Opposition Increases, Jesus Heals a Blind Man "In Stages," and the Disciples’ Faith Grows Even as They Misunderstand. Mark 6:6b–8:30. Take-home quiz #1 due.  Revised 9/21/05 with new slide on healing the blind man "in stages."

Exam 1 Materials

 

Unit 2: Matthew and Luke

  • 9a. Gospel of Matthew. Introduction—Matthew the Scribe. Authorship, Internal and External Evidence. The Synoptic "Problem." Authorship, Audience, and Features. 9b. Proclamation of the Kingdom. Part 1 (narrative): The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus. Reading: Matthew 3–4. Matthew," BD 729; Millet, "The Testimony of Matthew," 38–60; JCWNT, 62–67 (online). See also: Hall and Welch, chart 7.3 (packet).
  • 10. Matthew’s Sermon the Mount. Christ, the New Moses. The Beatitudes. Fulfilling the Law—Six Antitheses. True Piety and the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew 5–7. See also: Hall and Welch, chart 9.3 (packet).

Not updated after this point

  • 12. Galilean Ministry and Growing Opposition to Jesus. Part 2: Ten Miracles Reminiscent of Moses; The Healing Power of Christ: "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses"; Matthean Controversy Narratives. The Mission Sermon. Part 3: Opposition to Jesus Narrative; John the Baptist; Jesus Prayer; More Controversy Narratives. Sermon in Parables. Matthew 8:1–13:52. See also: Peek, "Early Galilean Ministry and Miracles," 288–93.
  • 13. Rejection by Israel and the Sermon on the Church. Part 4: "A Prophet is not without honor . . ." The Leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees; Peter’s Declaration and the Keys of the Kingdom; Fulfillment of God’s Purposes Will Continue in Christ’s Church. Sermon on the Church. Matthew 13:52–18:25.
  • 14. Journey to and Ministry in Jerusalem and the Great Eschatological Sermon. Teachings on the Road to Jerusalem. Rejection of the Leaders of Israel. Prophecies of the End Time. The Necessity of Watchfulness. Matthew 19:1–25:46.
  • 15a. Gospel of Luke. Introduction—Luke, the Detailed and Compassionate Evangelist: Authorship, Internal and External Evidence. Luke the Physician. "Theolphilus" and Luke’s Original Audience. Dating, Sources, and Composition (Two-source vs. Three-stage). Style and Characteristics. Lucan Christology. Purpose and Structure of Luke’s Gospel. 15b. Preparation for the Ministry: Baptism, Genealogy, Temptation. Reading: Luke 3:1–4:13; esp. JST Luke 3:5–9. "Luke," BD 726; Anderson, "The Testimony of Luke," 88–108 (packet); JCWNT 108–116 (online).
  • 16. Galilean Ministry. Good News of the Kingdom; Call of the Twelve; Sermon on the Plain; the Compassion of Jesus; Women in Luke; Mighty Miracles; Jesus and the Twelve. Luke 4:14–9:50. See also: Hall and Welch, 9.12–15 (packet); Huntsman, "Galilee and the Call of the Twelve Apostles"; Wayment, "The Sermon on the Plain"; Peek, "Early Galilean Ministry and Miracles," 293–99 (packet). Take-home quiz #2 distributed.

Quiz 2 Materials

  • 17. Journey to Jerusalem 1. Mission of the Seventy. The Lawyer’s Question—the Good Samaritan and the Mary and Martha stories. Teachings on Prayer—the Lord’s Prayer, the Friend at Midnight, and Bread from a Father to a Son. Healing the Bent Woman and a Woman Mixing Dough. Luke 9:51–13:21. Take-home quiz #2 due.
  • 18. Journey to Jerusalem 2: The Perean Ministry. More Lucan parables, including the Parables of the Lost and Found; Warnings about Wealth; the Widow and the Unjust Judge; the Scope of Salvation, including the Pharisee and the Publican and the story of Zacchaeus. Luke 13:22–19:27.
  • 19. Jerusalem Ministry. Triumphal Approach to Jerusalem; Parable of the Pounds; Jesus and Jerusalem; Teachings in the Temple; Eschatological Sermon. Luke 19:28–21:38.

Exam 2 Materials

Unit 3: John and The Passion and Resurrection Narratives

  • 20a. Gospel of John. Introduction—John the Theologian. Authorship and Audience. The Beloved Disciple and the "Johannine Community." Style and Structure of the Fourth Gospel. The Synoptics and John. 20b. John 1 and the Logos Hymn: "And the Word was made flesh . . ." The Light and the Witness. Reading: John :1–18. "John," and "John, Gospel of," BD 715–716; Griggs, "The Testimony of John," 109–126; JCWNT, 126–133 (online). See also: Hall and Welch, chart 9.10 (packet).
  • 21. The Book of Signs. From Cana to Cana. First Sign: Water to Wine at the Wedding at Cana; Blood, Water, and the Incarnation; Jesus, Jerusalem, and the Cleansing of the Temple; Discourse on the New Birth: Dialogue with Nicodemus; Discourse on the Water of Life: Dialogue with the Samaritan Woman at the Well; Second Sign: Healing the Nobleman's Son in Cana. John 2–4. See also: Peek, "Early Galilean Ministry and Miracles," 299–304 (packet).
  • 22. Jesus and the Feasts of the Jews 1: The Sabbath—Healing at the Pool of Bethesda and the Discourse on the Divine Son. At Passover—Feeding of the 5,000 and the Bread of Life Discourse; Many Disciples Turn Away, but "Lord . . . thou has the words of eternal life." John 5–6 (start reading ahead on John 7–12). See also: Huntsman, "The Bread of Life Sermon" (packet).  Handout: Signs, Discourses, and Sayings.
  • 23. Jesus and the Feasts of the Jews 2: Tabernacles—Discourses on the Life-giving Spirit and the Light of the World; Healing of the Blind Man; Discourse on the Good Shepherd. At Dedication—Jesus the Messiah and Son of God.: "I and my Father are one." The Raising of Lazarus and its Aftermath—Jesus the Resurrection and the Life. Moving towards The Book of Glory. John 7–12.
  • 24. Passion Narratives and John’s Book of Glory. The Last Supper. The "Passion" of Jesus Christ; The Last Supper tradition; Setting the Scene for the Passion—the Anointing; the Institution of the Sacrament. Mark 14:1–31; Matthew 26:1–35; Luke 22:1–38; John 13. See also: Seely, "The Last Supper According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke," 59–107 (packet); Jeffrey R. Holland, "This Do in Remembrance of Me" (online).
  • 25. John’s Last Supper Discourses. The Paraclete Sayings; Jesus, the True Vine; Christ’s Imminent Departure; The Way, the Truth, and the Life; "As I Have Loved You . . ."; The Intercessory Prayer. John 14–17.  Homestudy!  Because of scheduling difficulties, please print this presentation and read over it carefully on your own!

Quiz 3 Materials

  • 26. Gethsemane. Gethsemane and the Atonement; Setting the Stage, Starting the Sacrifice; The Beginning of the Atoning Sacrifice; Luke, the Compassionate and Detailed Evangelist; Agonia; "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood . . ."; the Extent of Our Lord’s Sufferings; Jesus and the Olive. Mark: 14:32–42; Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46; John 18:1. See also: Skinner, "The Agony of the Bitter Cup," Gethsemane, 67–91 (packet).  Maundy Thursday, a Reflection. Take-home quiz #3 distributed.
  • 27. Arrest and Trial. Betrayal and Arrest; Jesus Before the Jewish Authorities; Peter’s Denial; Jesus in the Hands of the Romans—Delivered to Pilate; "What is Truth?"; Sent to Herod Antipas; Before the Mob; Judged, Scourged, and Mocked. Mark 14:43–15:20; Matthew 26:47–27:31; Luke 22:47–23:25; John 18:2–19:17a. See also: Huntsman, "Before the Romans," 269–317; Hall and Welch, charts 10.1–2, 10.8, and 10.13 (packet). Extra materials: Spencer W. Kimball, "Peter, My Brother" and Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Lengthening Shadow of Peter" online; also "On Peter's Denial," an overview.  The Trial(s) of Jesus, a Reflection. Take-home quiz #3 due.
  • 28. Crucifixion and Burial. On the Way to Calvary; At Calvary—Activities at the Cross, Last Moments, Signs and Reactions to Christ’s Death; Why the Cross? The Burial of Jesus. Mark 15:21–47; Matthew 27:32–66; Luke 23:26–56; John 19:17b–42. See also: Jackson, "The Crucifixion," 318–337, and Peek, "The Burial," 338–377; Hall and Welch, chart 10.14 (packet); The Crucifixion: A Reflection. Exegetical paper due.
  • 29. Resurrection Narratives. The Empty Tomb. Early Appearances. Apostolic Commissions. Mark 16; Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20–21. See also: Holzapfel and Wayment, "The Resurrection," 378–397. Jesus' Ministry in the World of Spirits.  Easter Sunday: A Reflection on the Resurrection.

Exam 3 Materials