Content

This unit will explore theological approaches to parables of the Synoptic Gospels, giving particular attention to the hermeneutical qualities identified in parables, such as brevity and paradox, revelation and concealment, metaphorical images, narrative surprise, sense of momentous event and imperative to response. Exploration of the impact of these interpretive qualities on the use of language in Christian theology forms a complementary focus. Selected examples of theological writing that replicate many hermeneutical effects identified with parables will be used in these explorations.

Unit code: BN9718S

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Stirling College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Identify and critically evaluate diverse theological approaches to the parables of the Synoptic Gospels;

2.

Formulate and apply critical criteria for evaluating parable hermeneutics in contemporary use of language in Christian theology;

3.

Demonstrate a critical awareness of parable uses in diverse theological and literary contexts

4.

Formulate critical criteria for evaluating the function of literary genres in the communication of Christian theology

5.

Exhibit competence in formulating research criteria and methods for engaging New Testament writings and Christian literature

Unit sequence

If taken as a Systematic Theology unit, A foundational unit in Systematic Theology.

If taken as a New Testament unit, A foundational unit in New Testament

Indicative Bibliography

  • Donahue, J.R. The Gospel in Parable: Metaphor, Narrative, and Theology in the Synoptic Gospels. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988.
  • Drury, J. The Parables in the Gospels: History and Allegory. London: SPCK, 1985.
  • Ebeling, G. Word and Faith. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1963.
  • Jüngel, E. God as the Mystery of the World: In the Foundation of the Theology of the Crucified One in the Dispute between Theism and Atheism, trans. Darrell L. Guder. Grand Rapids and Edinburgh: Eerdmans and T&T Clark, 1983.
  • Kierkegaard, S. Philosophical Fragments, Ed. and Trans. Howard V. Hong and Edna H. Hong. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1985.
  • Longenecker, R.N. ed. The Challenge of Jesus’ Parables. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2000.
  • McFague, S. Speaking in Parables: A Study in Metaphor and Theology. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1975.
  • Oden, T.C. ed. Parables of Kierkegaard, illust. Lonni S Johnson. Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 1978.
  • Pascal, B. Pensées and Other Writings. Trans. Honor Levi, Ed. with Intro. & Notes by Anthony Levi. Oxford and New York, Oxford University Press, 1995, 1999.
  • Ricoeur, P. Figuring the Sacred: Religion, Narrative, and Imagination, trans. D. Pellauer, Edited. M. Wallace. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1995.
  • Thoma, C. & Wyschogrod, M. eds. Parable and Story in Judaism and Christianity. New York: Paulist, 1989.
  • Tolstoy, L. A Confession and Other Religious Writings, trans. Jane Kentish, London: Penguin, 1987.
  • Via, D.O. The Parables: Their Literary and Existential Dimensions. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1967.
  • Westermann, C. The Parables of Jesus in the Light of the Old Testament. Trans. F.W. Golka & A.H.B. Logan. Edinburgh: T&T Clark (Fortress Minneapolis), 1990.
  • Zimmermann, R. ed. Hermeneutik der Gleichnisse Jesu: Methodische Neuansätze zum Verstehen urchristlicher Parabeltexte. Tübingen: Geplante Publikation, 2008.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Document Study

750 word document study

0 12.0
Document Study

750 word document study

0 13.0
Document Study

750 word document study

0 12.0
Document Study

750 word document study

0 13.0
Essay

3000 word essay

0 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 12 Dec, 2014

Unit record last updated: 2020-10-28 14:50:33 +1100