The Gospel of John, NT3210- S6

Fall Term, 2nd Six Weeks 2005

Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 9:00-9:50

 

James Boyce, Instructor jboyce@luthersem.edu http://www.luthersem.edu/jboyce

Office: Bockman 110, ext. 252 Hours: 9:00-10:00, M,W,Th; 10:45-12:00 T Other times by appointment

Course Description

A study of John's Gospel as the context for reflection on the mission of the church and preparation for pastoral leadership. The primary focus is on the Gospel of John with attention also given to issues in the Johannine community and the significance of this Gospel for ministry in the church and the world.

Course Objectives by Four Criteria

"Knowing the Story," "Interpreting/Confessing," "Leading in Mission"

 

Knowledge (of the Christian story/content of the tradition)

1. To have the ability to reflect on the similarities and differences with the Synoptic tradition and on central theological issues and themes in John

2. To continue development of your own exegetical method, including such aspects as analysis of unit, syntax, text, form, context, words, and intention of selected texts.

Attitudes (as faithful public interpreters/confessors)

3. To have an appreciation for the theological depth of the Johannine literature in Christian tradition.

4. To develop a leader's sense of accountability to scripture and the community of faith.

Skills (for effective leading)

5. To continue to develop skills in use of important primary resources (lexicons, concordances, grammars, translations, interlinears) and secondary works (word books, commentaries, monographs, articles

6. To gain skill through exegetical and interpretive work in critical use of Johannine themes and Trinitarian theology for pastoral ministry.

Character (in habits of Christian discipleship)

7. To grow in conviction of the power and promise of the  Johannine scriptures in evangelical public leadership for the mission of the Gospel of Jesus Crhist.

Required Texts

Gospel of John (in English, and portions in Greek)

R. Alan Culpepper,  Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Literary Design. Philadelphia, Fortress, 1983.

Mark Alan Powell. Fortress Introduction to The Gospels. Fortress, 1998.

EITHER/OR

Robert Kysar, John. ACNT. Augsburg, 1986.

D. Moody Smith, John. Proclamation Commentaries 2^nd ed. Fortress, 1986.

Recommended Texts

(For extensive bibliography, see Culpepper, Anatomy; for a more selective or user friendly bibliography, see Kysar, Maverick Gospel; and for an annotated bibliography, see Smith, John.)

Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John. vols. 1: 1-12 & 2:13-21  Anchor Bible Doubleday, 1966, 1970.

Craig R. Koester, Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel. 2nd ed. Fortress, 2003.

Robert Kysar, John: the Maverick Gospel .Westminster/John Knox, 1993.

Francis J. Moloney. The Gospel of John. Sacra Pagina. Liturgical, 1998.

Gail R. O'Day, Revelation in the Fourth Gospel. Fortress, 1986

Gail R. O'Day,"John" in NIB vol. 9

David Rensberger. Johanine Faith and Liberating Community. Westminster, 1988.

D. Moody Smith, John. ANTC. Abingdon, 1999.

D. Moody Smith, John Among the Gospels .U of So Carolina, 2001.

D. Moody Smith, Theology of the Gospel of John. Cambridge, 1995.

Course Requirements

1.      Participation in class presentations and discussions.

2.      Read through the Gospel of John in English.

3.      Read Culpepper, Anatomy.  This reading is to be completed for class discussion on Wednesday, November 2.

4.      Additional reading: Kysar OR Smith and supplementary reading of your choice. Total, approximately 600 pages on Gospel of John (commentaries, essays/articles [use ATLA index], etc.).

5.      As part of small working group, prepare exegetical/interpretive class presentations on two selected texts from John from the Revised Common Lectionary and lead class discussion based on these papers. For the lectionary texts from John see the attached copy from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts. Abingdon, 1992 (in Library Reference Room).

6.      For MDiv (Greek) students: Complete Basic Vocabulary Proficiency Quiz (by Friday, Dec. 2)

7.      Final Examination. The Final Examination will be an essay examination selected from a list of questions on Johannine interpretation to be distributed in advance. These questions may address aspects of overall interpretation of John, of particular themes in John in relation to the gospel as a whole, comparison of John to the Synoptics, or focus on interpretation of specific texts. Due by 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 17.

Course Schedule

Class sessions will be divided between 1) class presentations and discussion of selected texts chosen from the lectionary reading of John's Gospel, and 2) lecture and/or discussion of aspects of the overall structure and message of the Gospel of John as noted in the schedule below and as flowing out of the exegetical group presentations.

 

Fri Oct 28	Introduction to Course The Prologue of John: John 1:1-18
Mon Oct. 31	Read Gospel of John in English. Come prepared to discuss issues that arise in your reading that are striking or that raise questions: general outline, language and style, themes and images, theology and content, personal experience. Begin to shape some questions or issues that will focus your own study in light of concerns of preparation for leadership and mission in the church and the world. Lecture: The Testimony to Jesus: Christology. John 1:19-4:54
Wed Nov 2	Discussion  of Culpepper, Anatomy
Fri Nov 4	Group 1: John 2:1-11 OR 2:13-22
Mon Nov 7	Group 2: John 3:1-17 OR 3:14-21
Wed Nov 9	Group 3: John 6:35, 41-58
Fri Nov 11	Group 4: John 7:37-52
Mon Nov 14	Group 5: John 10:1-18
Wed Nov 16	Group 6: John 12:1-19 OR John 12:20-36
Fri Nov 18	Lecture: Book of Signs;The Light of the World; Claim and Controversy John 5-12
Mon Nov 28	Group 1: John 13:1-17
Wed Nov 30	Group 2: John 14:1-14
Fri Dec 2	Group 3: John 17:6-19
Mon Dec 5	Lecture: The Farewell Discourse: John 13:1-17:26
Wed Dec 7	Group 4: John 19:17-30
Fri Dec 9	Group 5: John 20:19-31
Mon Dec 12	Group 6: John 21:11-19
Wed Dec 14	Lecture: Passion and Resurrection: John 18-21
Frid-Sat Dec 16-17	Final Examination

Exegetical Presentations

Class sessions as noted in the schedule above will focus on the interpretation of selected Johannine texts, with attention to issues of moving from text to preaching or instruction/Bible study. The discussion will be guided by presentations lead by small groups who have worked in advance on the texts. The preparation should consider important aspects of:

1.      Text and translation (important grammatical, syntax or vocabulary)

2.      Exegesis (issues of Gospel of John/gospels/theology)

3.      Interpretation (issues of context, proclamation, teaching: sermon starters/Bible study)

See the attached suggested outline of exegetical method for more detailed aspects of each of these areas.

 

Students will work within groups of three to four persons on two passages during the course. Each group should prepare a summary/outline of major points of interpretation in the three areas above and duplicate copies to be distributed to members of the class at the time of the class session. In class we will read the text together; then the presenters will have time for a brief introduction (20 min.) followed by open class discussion of issues of interpretation in relation to the message of John for today's community of faith (25 min.).

 

Sudents who are not presenting are expected to have read and reflected on the assigned texts for the day in advance of class. Students who have had preparation in Greek should consider any important insights gained from looking at the text in the original language (use of an interlinear, lexicons, concordances, or other resources is encouraged in this task).  Students who are not required to have preparation in Greek should do this reading/reflection through comparison of several English translations of their choosing.

 

AN INTERPRETIVE APPROACH FOR NT STUDY

 

Exegesis aims at hearing and understanding a text in a conscious and deliberate way.  Exegesis is both a science and an art.  It is a form of disciplined meditation, whereby the exegete is opened by the Spirit to hear the text new or anew as the text is allowed to be what it is intended to be—the Word of God.  Exegesis should begin with an encounter between the exegete and the text in which the imagination is stimulated when fruitful questions are asked of the text.  Secondary resources are to be used only as a broader conversation to test and extend your own exegetical work.  Thus they should be read with your (1) developed questions, (2) identified problems, and (3) working conclusions in mind.  Still exegesis is never a private enterprise. Your own understanding will be revised as it is constantly (re)shaped within the hearing of others within the community.

The following list of questions may have some sequential sense, but not necessarily. The questions often move in a circular and interdependent fashion with the imagination.

TRANSLATION& COMPARISON	Derive a good working translation of the text, paying attention to ·         significant details of grammar and literary structure; ·         important textual variants and how modern translations have treated them; ·         comparison of the Greek text with how it has been translated in various modern translations. Does this comparison highlight any significant problems of interpretation?
BEGINNINGS & ENDINGS	Consider what is the proper unit for reading: ·         Are there any words, or shifts in scenery, subject matter, or thought that mark the beginning and end of the unit? ·         How does this compare with lectionary decisions?
LITERARY or NARRATIVE FORM	Pay attention to matters of: Movement or Plot: Read the text several times in Greek (or good English translations), seeking to follow the flow of the narrative or argument. ·         How would you outline the plot, argument, or flow of thought: beginning, middle, and end? ·         Do particular words, phrases, or structures contribute to the sense of flow in the story? Do the flow of thought and the narrative order coincide, or are there surprises or reversals? Time: How do details of the order, duration, or frequency of events effect the narrative? Geography: How do aspects of scenery or place affect the telling? Characters: Who are the main characters and how do they function in the story? in relation to Jesus? Narrator and Point of View: What do you detect of the attitude, point of view, or trustworthiness of the voice that tells the story? Implicit Commentary: Are aspects of misunderstanding, irony, or symbolism crucial to an adequate hearing of the story?
WORDS & THEIR LINKS	What important or thematic words shape the thought or movement of the narrative? Use a concordance to discover words that are important within this author or the biblical tradition.
CONTEXT and KNOWLEDGE of the HEARER	What difference does it make to imagine the hearer of this story as one located: ·         during the life and ministry of Jesus? ·         in the life and setting of the early church? ·         in the contemporary Christian community? ·         outside of the Christian community? What does the hearer need to know to hear the story in its full reference? ·         e.g. How do Scriptural citations, allusions, or themes shape the telling?
SYNOPTIC COMPARISON	Where applicable use a synopsis to compare with other tellings of the same story. What is different or distinctive about this telling? (consider aspects noted above; synoptic underlining with colors is useful)
HEARING in COMMUNITY	How does the text overall address the hearer —as conflict, proverb, parable, prophetic/apocalyptic saying, teaching, miracle (healing, nature), or narrative event? Allow the text to have its say: Can you state the central thought of the text in a single sentence? What does it say as a Word of God to the church today? Is it a word of judgment or hope; of law or promise? How will you proclaim or teach from this text in a way that addresses your community?