Gospels – NBST 815

CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

A study of select portions of the Gospels, including a treatment of introductory issues, aspects of historiography in the first century, hermeneutical principles regarding narrative literature and the diverse literary features within the Gospels, and a functional analysis of key interpretive issues in the study of the Gospels. The course engages with current evangelical scholarship on critical issues that relate to the study of the four gospels. Special emphasis is placed on biblical-theological motifs within the Gospels, and expositional strategies to integrate standard exegesis with biblical theological awareness.  

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The rationale for this class is to advance the student's knowledge in regard to Gospel studies. This will require a reassessment of introductory issues, an evangelical appraisal of historical Jesus research and an evaluation of narrative/literary reading of the Gospels. The purpose is to enable greater understanding when both studying and teaching the Gospels. 

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread (800 word minimum) in response to the provided prompt. Additionally, students are expected to participate in robust dialog within the discussion, not simply replying to fellow students, but also responding to replies. Each discussion has specific requirements as detailed in the discussion prompt. The student must have a minimum of two replies (150 word minimum for each reply).  (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Research Paper: Proposal Assignment

The student will write a rough draft of his or her final Research Paper: Final Submission Assignment. This rough draft needs to have the major paragraphs and major argument stated within the paper. The rough draft needs to be 1,200–2,400 words with at least 10 references in addition to course textbooks and the Bible in current Turabian format. 

Paper topics are to address an interest area of the student. Four main areas that the student should choose form are the following:

  • Addressing an introductory issue to a particular Gospel
  • Addressing a historical issue in regard to a particular Gospel
  • Evaluating a literary reading of a particular Gospel passage  
  • Developing a theological theme within a Gospel  (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Research Paper: Annotated Bibliography Assignment

The student will compose an annotated bibliography consisting of 15–20 scholarly sources to be utilized in the research paper. The bibliography must contain at least 5 academic books, at least 5 scholarly journals, and contain no more than 5 websites. Additionally, the student will provide a 2–3 sentence summary for each source to generalize the source as it relates to the research. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E)

Research Paper: Final Submission Assignment

The student will write a 3,750–5,000-word research-based paper in current Turabian format that focuses on an issue in Gospel studies. The paper must include at least 15 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. Paper topics are to address an interest area of the student. Three main areas that the student should choose form are the following:

  • Addressing an introductory issue to a particular Gospel
  • Addressing a historical issue in regard to a particular Gospel
  • Evaluating a literary reading of a particular Gospel passage  
  • Developing a theological theme within a Gospel  (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F)