The Synoptic Gospels

NT420/NT620/NT630

Learning Outcomes

This unit entails detailed studies of both the theology and the exegesis of various elements in the Synoptic Gospels, building upon the foundation laid in NT301 and 302.

  1. To enable candidates to exegete large sections of the text of the Synoptic Gospels.
  2. To develop in candidates the skills of appropriate exegetical methodology, employing the various interpretative methods of biblical criticism.
  3. To assist candidates to reflect upon the distinctive character, styles, themes and interrelationship of the Synoptic Gospels
  4. To appreciate the literary forms and socio-cultural context of the Synoptic Gospels
  5. To help candidates think through the implications of their studies for New Testament exposition in ministry.

 

Content

Candidates are required to learn to employ exegetical methods of modern critical scholarship. Candidates may not take any unit in which they repeat material completed in another unit.

  1. The theology and critical issues in modern study of the Gospel chosen, with the capacity to review and evaluate significant interpretive perspectives.
  2. Exegesis of the English text of Luke 14–24 (or a comparable block of chapters from a Synoptic Gospel).


Workload: One semester, 4 credit points, 39 contact hours
Status: Elective
Pre-requisites / Co-requisites / Exclusions: 16 credit points of core foundation units which include NT301 and 302.
When: Semester 1
Who: Doug McComiskey

 

Textbooks:

In preparation for exegesis in class, you should have ready access to a good commentary on Luke. The two-volume work by Darrell L. Bock, Luke 1:1–9:50 (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1994) and Luke 9:51–24:53 (BECNT; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1996), is excellent and most highly recommended for the subject. If it is too expensive, for English text students the commentary by Robert H. Stein, Luke (vol. 24, New American Commentary; Nashville, Tenn.: Broadman, 1992) is also excellent, but not as comprehensive, and for Greek text students the commentary by I. Howard Marshall, The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text (New International Greek Testament Commentary; Exeter: Paternoster, 1978) is excellent, though a little dated now and more difficult to read due to the format.

Throughout the semester, several recommended readings are from the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (Green, Joel B., Scot McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall eds.; Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1992). This is an important volume that is well worth purchasing not just for class, but for a lifetime of use in ministry.

If you wish, you might purchase a book covering the theology of Luke. Joel B. Green’s book, The Theology of the Gospel of Luke (New Testament Theology; Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1995) is useful, but limited in scope. I. Howard Marshall’s volume, New Testament Theology: Many Witnesses, One Gospel (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2004), is a theology of the entire New Testament, but the section on Luke is very helpful, though obviously brief. Nevertheless, it is an outstanding theology of the whole New Testament. One of these might be third on your list to purchase, but you might prefer to use the library copies in the reserve section of the library. Recommended readings on the theology of Luke are from several books on reserve, and only a few readings are from these two books.