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Homework for 2/6

1. Read the syllabus. Note questions.

2. Read one chapter of John every day, and write something nice to the implicit author of the gospel, John: 
   DEAR JOHN, 
   WHAT DID YOU ESPECIALLY LIKE?

Example 
Name: David T.
Reference: 1:1
Comment: I liked that you began your gospel with the exact same words that Genesis starts out with: In the beginning...

Homework for 2/13 Class cancelled (STORM)

Dear John,
Here is something I do not understand, please explain...

Homework for 3/12

1. Dear John,
   I found a parallel in Luke. Comparing your story with Luke's story I found the following difference. please explain...

Homework for 3/26

1. This Exercise is very important. Please do not take it lightly!

As you have seen in class, manuscripts in antiquity are written without spaces and punctuation. To a modern reader the text may look like one horribly long word. Now, imagine a Bible Society would give you the task to identify four places (only four, no more) where one could argue that the text displays a very clear structural signal. Where would you see such a break?

In order to to do this exercise well, you will have to re-read the whole gospel. Please identify four places, were you feel the publisher should signal to the readers that one part has come to an end and a new part starts. Write down your arguments and bring them to class.

We will discuss our observations next time we meet. You will then have another week to write a thought paper (1-2 pages) on how you would structure the Gospel According to John. This is one of the written requirements for the course.

Have fun with it.

2. If you have not done so yet, please finish your book review and submit it through the form on our website (see homework for 3/12).

Homework for 4/2

Write a two-page thought paper based on our class discussions. Due next session. I prefer that you email it to me, but handing it in on paper during class next week is possible as well.

Topic: How did the first editor of the Gospel According to John structure the text?

Here are suggested guidelines.

On Saturday 4/5 we will meet from 10 to 5 at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Waterville, 60 Eustis Parkway. Directions. Or Google Maps.

Homework for Saturday 4/5

Try to memorize the following text from John 3
If your family name begins with A to H:

3:1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."
3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?"

If your family name begins with J-M:

5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.'
8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

If your family name begins with N-Z:

9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"
10 Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.
12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

Homework for 4/9

Pick a story from John that has a parallel in Luke and start to work on your paper (10-15 pages).

In your paper you will explore three questions:

1. What does John's Gospel affirm about Luke's account?
2. What does John's Gospel correct in Luke's account?
3. What does John's Gospel want to say as it re-tells the story? Identify other passages in John's Gospel that make the same point.

Possible topics:

If you want to use another text, run it by me.

After next session (4/16, 5 o'clock) the Bangor group will go out. And we hope that Amanda will get her first lobster. Sea Dog, 26 Front Street, Map.

Homework for 4/16

1. Work on your paper.
2. Compare the story of Jesus walking on water (John 6:15-21 with Mt 14:22-33 and Mk 6:45-52)
   1. What does John's Gospel affirm about Mt/Mk's account?
   2. What does John's Gospel correct in Mt/Mk's account?
   3. What does John's Gospel want to say as it re-tells the story? Identify other passages in John's Gospel that make the same point.

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