Entering the World of the New Testament (BN8000Y)

Tuesday Evening 6.00pm - 9.00pm WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION: General introduction to the course and other formalities needed; Bible Canon and introduction to the NT books; The World and literature of the New Testament; Miscellaneous: Introduction of some basic biblical terms, Glossary, Bibliography READING: Introductory chapter of Pheme Perkins, “Why Study the Bible?” In Reading the New Testament, An Introduction, 3rd ed., New York: Paulist, 2012. 1-9; The Gospel of Mark 1—16.

WEEK 2.MARK 1: The development of the Gospels; The synoptic Gospels/Synoptic hypothesis; Group discussion on the Gospel of Mark; Gospel of Mark: overview; The Reign of God: a basic understanding in the Synoptic Gospels; Miscellaneous: Bibliography; literary forms in Mark 1. READING: The Gospel of Mark right through, preferably without any interruption. Complete the related worksheet - Handout; Perkins, Chapter 12: “Mark: Jesus, Suffering Servant,” 189-198; Minor, Mitzi L. “Mark as Story.” TBT 47, no.1 (2009): 5-10. ARK; Donald, senior. “The Gospel of Mark in Context.” TBT 34, no. 4 (1996):215-221.

WEEK 3. MARK 2; Discussion on Sim article; Synoptic parallels of Jesus’ baptism; Parables: Overview in the NT; Controversies / Religious Authorities / Pronouncement Stories; Discipleship in Mark; Miscellaneous: Exegetical methodology-an introduction. READING: Sim, David C. “The World and Literature of the New Testament.” In Reading the Bible: An Introduction for Students, edited by Maurice Ryan, 107- 115. Tuggerah, NSW: Social Science Press, 2003; Sweetland, Dennis. “Parables in Mark.” TBT 49, no. 6 (2011): 353-358. Found on ARK; Eliott, C. Maloney. “’He is Going Before You to Galilee’: Discipleship in Mark.” TBT 47, no.1 (2009):25-29; Mark 1:1- 4:34; Background material on Parables; Handout notes on: a] The Reign of God; b] Parables; Frank Moloney. A Friendly Guide to Mark’s Gospel. On Reserve in Library.

WEEK 4. Matthew 1; Gospel of Matthew: an overview; Ways in which Matthew revised Mark; Infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke: parallels; Mighty Deeds/Exorcisms; Call of disciples in Matthew; Miscellaneous: Exegetical study of Mark 1:14–15; Matt 4:18–22. READING: Perkins Ch. 13 (p.199-211) on Matthew’s Gospel; Hall, Gerard. “Jesus Parables and Miracles.” In Reading the Bible: An Introduction for Students. Tuggerah, NSW: Social Science Press, 2005. P176-195; Crotty, Robert. “The Holy Night: Reflections on the Infancy Narrative.” In Reading the Bible: An Introduction for Students. Pp 159-174. Matt 1-10 (compare infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke); Handout on Mighty Deeds: Mullins. Comparative work with Synoptic texts.

WEEK 5. MATTHEW 2; General similarities and differences in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke; Five great blocks of teaching in Matthew; Beatitudes in Matthew and Beatitudes and Woes in Luke; The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus in Mark, Matthew and Luke; Miscellaneous: Comparative work with selected synoptic texts. READING: Rhoads, David. “Losing Life for Others in the Face of Death: Mark’s Standard of Judgement.” In Reading Mark, Engaging the Gospel, 44-62. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2004; Re-read Perkins on The Gospel of Matthew, noting general development of Gospel Text; Matt 5:1-12//Luke 6:17-26; Matt 26:1—28:15//Mark 14:1—16:8//Luke 22:1—24:52. (Compare and contrast the texts).

WEEK 6. LUKE-ACTS 1; Luke-Acts: an overview; Universalism in Luke; Hospitality in Luke; Some particular Lukan parables; Texts: Luke 2:22-38; 4; 24:44-39; Miscellaneous: Bibliography, Significant dates. READING: Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2; Observe sheet with Distinctive Teachings in Matthew and Luke; Chapter 14 on the Gospel of Luke in Pheme Perkins’ book: pages 212-223; McBride, Denis. “The Virtue of Disloyalty.” Parables of Jesus (1999). 145-167; McBride, “The Lord and the Slaves.” The Parables of Jesus, pp73-89.

WEEK 7. LUKE-ACTS 2; Ministry in Galilee verses ministry in Jerusalem; Journey theme in Luke; Mission as a major theme of Luke-Acts; Miscellaneous: carry-over topics from the past and other necessary discussion items. READING: Perkins on Acts, pages 236-247; Green, Joel B. “To Proclaim good news to the poor”: Mission and Salvation.” The Theology of Luke. Cambridge: CUP, 1994. P 76-101; Floyd V. Filson, “The Journey Motif in Luke-Acts," W. Ward Gasque & Ralph P. Martin, eds., Apostolic History and the Gospel. Biblical and Historical Essays Presented to F.F. Bruce. Exeter: The Paternoster Press, 1970. Pages 68-77; Luke 4:14-9:50;9:51—19:44.

WEEK 8. JOHN 1; Johannine literature: an overview; Key differences from the Synoptic Gospels; Important vocabulary and literary techniques; Reading John’s Gospel; Book of signs; Miscellaneous: Essay tips—format, citation, bibliography. READING: Perkins, Chapter 15 on Gospel of John, pages 224-234; Mary Coloe. A Friendly Guide to the Gospel of John; R.E. Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament. Chapter 11 (116-132); Dorothy Lee, “Friendship, Love and Abiding in the Gospel of John” (pp. 57-74).

WEEK 9. JOHN 2; Chapters 13—17: the final meals and teachings; Chapters 18—20: Passion, Death and Resurrection appearances; Chapter 21: Epilogue Appearance by the Sea; Miscellaneous: Importance of wind and water in scripture, esp. the Sea. READING: Francis Moloney. “God so Loved the World: the Jesus of John’s gospel.” ACR 178 (1998):195-205. Mary A. Beavis. “Reconsidering Mary of Bethany.” CBQ 74 (2012):281-297. Mary Coloe. “The Grden as a New Creation in John.” Bible Today, 53 no. 3 (2015):159-164.

WEEK 10. PAUL 1; Conversion stories; Three conversion stories in Acts: 9:1-31; 22:1-21; 26:2-23; His life and ministry. READING. “Paul’s life and ministry,” Perkins Chs 8 and 9 on Paul pp. 110--150; Read Acts 9:1-31; 22:1-21; 26:2-23 (comparatively); Handouts on ARK concerning Dunn’s Synthesis of Paul with texts embedded.

WEEK 11. PAUL 2; Paul’s writings; Galatians in particular; Glossary of Pauline terms and concepts; Miscellaneous: Hebrews and the Catholic Epistles READING: Letter to the Galatians accompanied by a Bible Commentary; Brendan Byrne. “Glossary of Pauline terms and Concepts.” Galatians and Romans. (St Paul, 2010). Pp 174-188; “An Appreciation of Paul.” Raymond Brown’s ch 17 on Paul pp. 159-162.

WEEK 12. REVELATION; Some thoughts on and insights into the book of Revelation; Attending to other concerns; Students invited to present some concluding reflection/thoughts; Concluding remarks READING. “Mark’s Eschatological Perspective” by E. Maloney; Perkins, Pages 287-301 (on Revelations); Francis J. Mololey. “The Book of Revelation: Hope on dark Times” Religions 239, 10 (2019): 1-15.