The Four Gospels

NT 1501/1501p  David Trobisch
Bangor and Portland Campus -- Videolink
Wednesday 6:00-8:50 PM

e-mail: DTrobisch@BTS.edu // Class Homepage: http://www.bts.edu/trobisch/FourGospels/GospelsHome.htm

Course Description

The objective of this course is to introduce you to the literary characteristics, the historical background, and hermeneutic significance of the canonical collection of four gospels.

The course will feature different approaches.

1. Canonical approach. The editorial effort, which led to the formation of the collection, will be described and interpreted. We will focus on redactional elements of the collection like the arrangement of the gospels, the alleged authorship, the titles, and the cross-links to the other books of the Christian Bible.
2. Literary approach. Each gospel will be studied individually in the final form, as they were included in the New Testament. We will allow the alleged authors to introduce their works to us, show us how they structured the book and where they wanted to put their emphasis. To widen the horizon and to recognize the individual character of each book, we will compare the canonical gospels to extra-canonical works.
3. Source critical approach. We will study the history of each gospel before it was edited to its final form to become part of the canonical collection.

1. We will look at sources indicating and documenting earlier editions of the specific book.
2. We will look at critical theories about the written sources, which were used to produce the specific gospel.
3. We will study various historical conclusions drawn by modern scholarship.

4. Hermeneutical approach. How can we make the message of the canonical Four-Gospel-Book be heard in our modern environment?

How We Will Work Together

In class we will read passages from the New Testament and from extra-canonical gospels. We will discuss literary, methodological, historical, theological, and hermeneutical questions. Much will depend on your interests and on your active participation.

Every student will have to turn in a written analysis and interpretation of  a passage that is represented in at least two gospels. This assignment should be completed during the semester. 10-15 pages.

In addition every student will have to read one scholarly book from a book list and write a book review. The list will be distributed in class. 

There will be two written quizzes. They will cover the essence of what was discussed during the sessions. A list of potential questions will be available to help you prepare for the quizzes.

Text Books

Books can be ordered through the BTS bookstore: bookstore@bts.edu 

• Barbara Aland, Kurt Aland, Greek-English New Testament (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1994). (It is very important to me that everyone uses this scholarly edition of the New Testament. It will help reduce confusion in class.)

• The Complete Gospels: Annotated Scholars Version. Robert J. Miller (ed.) (Sonoma, CA: Polebridge Press, 1994).

Students are strongly encouraged to buy a synopsis, but it is not required. I will make paper copies of specific texts available for the class:

• Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English Edition, Kurt Aland (ed.) Hardcover: 728 pages ( United Bible Societies) ISBN: 3438054051; 3rd edition (June 1979). (Expensive: ca. 100.00$)
• Throckmorton, Burton H., Jr. (ed.); Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels With Alternative Readings From the Manuscripts and Noncanonical Parallels; Text used is the New Revised Standard Version, 1989, the arrangement follows the Huck-Lietzmann Synopsis, 9th Edition, 1936; 5th ed. (Nashville: T. Nelson, 1992).

Graded Work

• Quizz (20%) Paper (40%) Book Review (20%) Cooperation in Class (20%)

• Grade Distribution: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%; C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%.

Outline (Last Updated:  9/22/2005)

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