Jesus Movement in Synoptic Gospels: Exegetical Study of Selected Texts

Course Code: BBN04/BBN05

Jesus Movement in Synoptic Gospels: Exegetical Study of Selected Texts

(English/Regional language-BBN04 and Greek-BBN05)

BDII, Semester II, 4 Credit Hours, Senate Paper

Course Objectives

1. To enable the students to read the Synoptic gospels by using the various critical methods.
2. To retrace the context, origin, and development of the Jesus Movement in the light of the synoptic gospels.
3. To explain the unique theological and communitarian perspective and specificity of each Evangelist with reference to his context.
4. To explain the person, teachings, and practices/work of Jesus.
5. To interpret the Gospels contextually and preach relevantly.
6. To discern the relevance of the Jesus Movement for contemporary emancipatory witness and praxes.

Course Requirements

• Final Examination: 100%

Course Outline

I. Reading Synoptic Gospels with Critical Tools and Perspectives

• Genre of the Gospels—Gospels as biographies, histories, narratives (stories), theologies.
• The formation of the synoptic gospels, similarities and differences, and the synoptic problem: historical-critical tools.
• Reading the synoptic gospels with new literary tools.

II. Socio-Political and Religio-Cultural Locations of the Jesus Movement

• The political conditions of first-century Palestine.
• Socio-Religious and Cultural conditions of first-century Palestine.
• Economic conditions for the first century Palestine.
• Importance of social history, sociological, and cultural studies in understanding the Jesus movement.

III. Formative Factors of the Jesus Movement

• Infancy Narratives.
• The Movement of John the Baptist.
• Baptism and temptations of Jesus.

IV. Teachings and Praxes of Jesus and the Jesus Movement

• Teachings of Jesus and his movement.
• Praxes of Jesus: fore-taste of the basilica of God.

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V. The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus

• Formation of the Passion Narratives
• Self-Giving Life of Jesus: ‘Ransom for Many’
• Meaning of Suffering and Cross in Synoptic Gospels
• Formation of Resurrection Narratives
• The resurrection narratives were developed to affirm the belief in Jesus’ victory over death and his divine identity. These stories are foundational to Christian faith.
• Meaning and Significance of Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus (Texts for In-Depth Study: Mark 1:40-3:6; 8:27-31; 10:33-45; 14:22-25 Matthew 8:5-13; 10:5-15; 28:16-20 Luke 4:16-30; 11:1-8)

VI. Jesus of the Jesus Movement

1. Self-Understanding of Jesus

Messiah, Son of God, the Human One (Son of Man), King, Servant, Teacher, and Lord. The Gospel writers interpreted his life and death through these Christological lenses.

2. Portraits of Jesus: Liberator (Mark 1:40-3:6; Luke 10:25-37), Co-Sufferer (Matt. 25:31-46; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 16:19-31), Dalit and Adivasi-Christ (Matt. 25:31-46; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 16:19-31), Friend of Children and Women (Mark 5:26-34; Luke 13:10-17; Mark 10:13-16), Life-Giver, the Guru (Mark 4 and parallels), Empowerer, Enabler, Healer, Self-Giving Servant (Mark 10:45), Righteous Martyr (Mark 8:31-38; 9:31; 10:33f.; 15:39 and parallels), Representative of the New Creation (Mark 4:1-41; Luke 12:22-31)

3. The Historical Jesus in Modern Scholarship: from the first to the third quest of historical Jesus

VII. Exegesis

1. Texts for Exegesis in English

• Mark: 3:1-6; 4:10-12; 8:27-38; 10:41-45; 13:32-37; 14:22-25
• Matthew: 2:16-18; 5:1-13; 10:5-15; 18:10-14; 25:31-46; 27:27-54
• Luke: 1:46-55; 4:16-19; 11:1-13; 16:1-14; 18:1-8; 24:13-27

2. Texts for Translation and Exegesis in Greek

• Mark: 3:1-6; 4:10-12; 10:41-45; 14:22-25
• Matthew: 5:1-13; 10:5-15; 18:10-14; 27:32-44
• Luke: 4:16-19; 11:1-4; 18:1-8; 24:13-27

Bibliography

Basic Books

• Carter, Warren, Matthew and the Margins: A Socio-political and Religious Reading, Maryknoll: Orbis, 2000.
• Dunn, James, Christianity in the Making: Jesus Remembered, vol.I, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.
• Green, Joel, The Theology of the Gospel of Luke (New Testament Theology), Cambridge: CUP, 2000.
• Myers, Ched. Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1988.
• Neyrey, Jerome, Social World of Luke-Acts: Models of Interpretation, Peabody: Hendrickson, 2008.
• Sobrino, John, Jesus the Liberator: A Historical-Theological Reading of Jesus of Nazareth, Maryknoll: Orbis, 1993.
• Theissen, Gerd. The Gospels in Context: Social and Political History in the Synoptic Tradition. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991.
• Merz, A. Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide, Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.

Other Books

• Aune, D. The New Testament and its Literary Environment. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1987.
• Bammel, E. and C.F.D. Moule, eds. Jesus and the Politics of His Day. Cambridge: CUP, 1992.
• Belo, Fernando. A Materialist Reading of the Gospel of Mark. Translated by M.J. O’Connell. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1981.
• Best, E. Disciples and Discipleship: Studies in the Gospel According to Mark. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1986.
• Blomberg, Craig. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels. London: IVP, 1987.
• Borg, M.J. Jesus: Conflict, Holiness and Politics in the Teachings of Jesus. New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 1984.
• Brown, R.E. The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke, New York: Image Books, 1977.
• Caird, G.B. The Gospel of Luke. London: Penguin, 1963.
• Carr, Dhyanchand. Re-Reading the Bible with New Eyes: Some Basic Questions. Bangalore: UTC, 2008.
• Chilton, Bruce. God in Strength: Jesus’ Announcement of the Kingdom. Freistadt: Ploechl, 1979.
• Collins, A.Y. The Beginning of the Gospel: Probings of Mark in Context: Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992.
• Crossan, John Dominic. The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant. New York: Harper San Francisco, 1992.
• Donaldson, Laura E., ed. “Post-colonialism and Scriptural Reading.” Semeia 75 (1998).
• Esler, Philip. Community and Gospel in Luke-Acts: The Social and Political Motivations of Lukan Theology, Cambridge: CUP, 1989.
• Eisler, Robert. The Messiah Jesus and John the Baptist. London: Methuen, 1931.
• Evans, C.A. Luke. NIBG, Peabody: Hendrickson, 1990.
• Fiorenza, E.S. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins. London: SCM Press, 1983.
• Freyne, Sean. Galilee from Alexander the Great to Hadrian: A Study of Second Temple Judaism. Wilmington, Del.: Glazier, 1980.
• George, Roji T. “Luke’s Portrayal of Paul’s Ephesian Ministry in Acts 19:11-41: A Postcolonial Reflection.” Doon Theological Journal 10.1, 2013, pp. 5-29.
• Green, Joel. The Gospel of Luke (NICNT), Michigan: Eerdmans, 1997.
• Guelich, R.A. Mark 1-8:26. WBC 34a, Dallas: Word Books, 1989.
• Hengel, Martin. Crucifixion: In the Ancient World and the Folly of the Message of the Cross. Translated by J. Bowden. London: SCM Press, 1977.
• Herzog II, William R. Parables as Subversive Speech: Jesus as Pedagogue on the Oppressed. Louisville: WJK Press, 1994.
• Hill, D. The Gospel of Matthew. London: SCM Press, 1972.
• Hooker, M.D. A Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Mark. London: A & C Black, 1991.
• Horsley, Richard A. and J.S. Hanson. Bandits, Prophets, and Messiahs: Popular Movements in the Time of Jesus. San Francisco: Harper, 1985.
• Horsley, Richard A. Jesus and the Spiral of Violence: Popular Jewish Resistance in Roman Palestine. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987.
• Jerald, Jayasree. “Philanthropic mission of Jesus: Kingdom values as paradigm for doing mission in Contemporary India,” SBSI, 2014.
• John, V.J. The Ecological Vision of Jesus: Nature in the Parables of Mark. Thiruvalla: CSS-BTTBPSA, 2002.
• Kee, H.C. Community of the New Age: Studies in Mark’s Gospel. London: SCM Press, 1977.
• Kingsbury, J.D. Conflict in Mark: Jesus, Authorities, Disciples. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989.
• Malbon, E.S. Narrative Space and Mythic Meaning in Mark. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1986.
• Marcus, Joel. Mark 1-8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. AB. Vol. 27. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
• Marshall, I.H. Last Supper and Lord’s Supper. Carlisle: The Paternoster Press, 1993.
• Mathew, Sam, P. Temple Criticism in Mark’s Gospel: The Economic Role of the Jerusalem Temple in the First Century CE. New Delhi: ISPCK, 1999.
• Moore, S.D. and F.F. Segovia, eds. Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: Interdisciplinary Intersections. London: T & T Clark International, 2005.
• Moxnes, H. The Economy of the Kingdom: Social Conflict and Economic Relations in Luke’s Gospel. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988.
• Oppenheimer, A. The Am Ha-aretz: A Study of the Social History of the Jewish People in the Hellenistic-Roman Period. Leiden: Brill, 1977.
• Perrin, Norman. What is Redaction Criticism? Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1969.
• Petersen, N.R. Literary Criticism for New Testament Critics. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1978.
• Robbins, Vernon K. Jesus the Teacher: A Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation of Mark. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984.
• Samuel, Simon. A Postcolonial Reading of Mark’s Story of Jesus. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2007.
• Sanders, E.P. The Historical Figure of Jesus. London: SCM Press, 1993.
• Schürer, E. The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ 175 B.C.-A.D. 135, 1973. Revised Edition. G Vermes, et al. Vols. III. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1987.
• Segundo, Juan L. The Historical Jesus of the Synoptics. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1985.
• Smallwood, Mary E. The Jews Under Roman Rule: From Pompey to Diocletian. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1976.
• Stagg, E. Women in the World of Jesus. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1978.
• Stuhlmacher, P., ed. The Gospel and the Gospels. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.
• Syiemlieh, B.J. God’s Favorites: A Socio-Narrative Analysis of the Characters in the Lukan Infancy Narratives (Luke 1:5-2:52). New Delhi: JRTS/ISPCK, 2005.
• Taylor, V. The Gospel According to St. Mark. London: Macmillan, 1953.
• Theissen, Gerd. Sociology of Early Palestinian Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1977.
• Varghese, B. Women in the Gospel of Luke. New Delhi: ISPCK, 2001
• Varghese, B. Synoptic Gospels. Adoor: el-Sholom Publishers, 2014.
• Varughese, Koshy P. King-Servant Christology in Matthew’s Gospel, New Delhi: ISPCK, 2013.
• Nermes, Geza. Jesus the Jew: A Historian’s Reading of the Gospels, 1973. London: SCM Press, 1993.
• Waetjen, Herman C. A Reordering of Power: A Socio-Political Reading of Mark’s Gospel. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1989.
• Weeden, T.J. Mark-Traditions in Conflict. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971.
• Wengst, Klaus. Pax Romana and the Peace of Jesus Christ. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1987.
• Wilson, Stephen G. The Gentiles and Gentile Mission in Luke-Acts. Cambridge: CUP, 1973.
• Witherington, Ben III. Women in the Ministry of Jesus: A Study of Jesus’ Attitude Towards Women and Their Role as Reflected in His Earthly Life. Cambridge: CUP, 1996.

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