Content

This unit provides an in-depth study of the Gospel of Matthew. The primary focus is on the narrative shape and the core theological themes which make this Gospel unique. Attention will be paid to Matthew’s use of his sources, including the Old Testament Scriptures. It will also explore the issue of authorship and examine the community out of which the Gospel arose. The unit will consider the ways in which this Gospel addresses issues that are of continuing relevance for the life and mission of the church.

Unit code: BN3100T

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: New Testament

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

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Learning outcomes

1.

Discuss, with exegetical support, the different theories of the narrative structure of the Gospel of Matthew.

2.

Critically interpret key aspects of Matthew’s Gospel within its social and religious setting, including the question of authorship and Matthew’s relationship to the Gospel of Mark.

3.

Provide a critically informed account of the core theological themes of the Gospel, including its Christology, its view of the church, its apocalyptic focus, its approach to the Law, and its emphasis on mission.

4.

Explore the relevance of Matthew’s theological perspective to the context of the contemporary church today.

Unit sequence

18 points at foundational level in NT

Pedagogy

Lectures and seminars or similar

Indicative Bibliography

  • Boring, M. Eugene, ‘The Gospel of Matthew: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections’. In L. Keck (ed.), The New Interpreter’s Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995), 8:87-505.
  • Byrne, B. Lifting the Burden. Reading Matthew’s Gospel in the Church Today. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2004. (recommended for purchase)
  • Davies, W.D. & Allison, D.C. The Gospel According to Saint Matthew. 3 vols.; ICC; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1988-1997. (recommended for purchase)
  • France, R.T. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.
  • Hagner, D. Matthew. 2 vols; Dallas: Word Books, 1993, 1995. (recommended for purchase)
  • Levine, A.-J. with M. Blickenstaff (ed.), A Feminist Companion to Matthew. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.
  • Keener, Craig S., A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids/Cambridge: Eerdmans, 1999.
  • Luz, U. Matthew: A Commentary. 3 vols.; Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989, 2001-2007.
  • Nolland, J. The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
  • Talbert, C.H. Matthew. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegetical Essay

2,000 word exegetical essay

0 40.0
Essay

2,000 word thematic essay

0 40.0
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper

Tutorial exercise of 1000 words

0 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 27 Sep, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-09-27 15:39:27 +1000