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Canyon College

online Overview of the Gospels course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Overview of the Gospels

Course Title: Overview of the Gospels - TH325
Department: Bachelor of Theology
Instructor: Dona Williams, MTh, BS, E-Mail Vita
Prerequisites: None


PURPOSE OF THE COURSE
To research/contemplate the 4 Gospels in order to better understand their similarities, differences, and the message given (who it was written by, who was it written to, and how was it perceived at that time period and in the present).

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Canyon College is a non-sectarian, non-denominational school committed to the study of God in all the richness and diversity of God's revelations to humanity and an exploration of what those revelations mean to the everyday lives of finite human beings. Canyon College does not advocate any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than the reality of God and does not require that its students and faculty subscribe to any particular belief, creed, doctrine or idea other than a willingness to be challenged and a commitment to an investigation into truth and the pursuit of academic honesty and excellence.

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Students should strive to use inclusive language in their writings. By inclusive language is meant language that is not gender specific and which attempts to include as many people as possible. For instance, instead of writing that "God wills that every man obeys His will," inclusive language would require us to write, "God wills that everyone obeys God's will."

REQUIREMENTS

1. Readings. The required texts are:    Online Bookstore
- "The Writings of the New Testament, An Interpretation," by Luke T. Johnson. Augsburg Fortress, 2002. ISBN: 080063439X

- Bible (any modern translation)
Textbooks should be ordered from the Canyon College Online Bookstore to insure that the correct volume and edition is obtained.

2. Conferences. Students may schedule no more than two Internet conferences between the student and the professor. These should be scheduled as necessary by the student. Of course, students may ask questions of the professor at any time by sending an E-mail to the address at the link above or by posting them to the message board.

3. Exams. There will be no exams for this course

4. Papers. There will be a short paper of at least two single-spaced pages or 1,250 words (not counting end-notes and bibliography), due at the end of each week's readings in which students will answer the discussion questions and give a reaction to their readings. The final paper will be at least five single -spaced pages. The topic of this paper will be chosen by the student. The student will then present the final paper idea to the professor for permission. These papers are to be e-mailed to the professor. Those who do not feel comfortable with e-mailing the papers can contact the professor for a mailing address. Papers should conform to the form and style outlined in Kate L. Turabian's "A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations," 6th ed. Students should use end notes instead of footnotes. Finally, the papers are intended to be reflection papers and not research or the "author said" papers. Students should indicate their understanding of the texts and this cannot be done merely by quoting the authors.

5. Grades. Course work will be weighted as follows:
Weekly Papers 50%
Final Paper 50%

6. Grading Scale.
90-100% A - Excellent
80-89% B - Above Average
70-79% C - Average
60-69% D - Below Average
59% or below F - Failing Grade

A = Clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines. Anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be good to very good. Is an active listener and participant in chats, message boards, e-mails and conferences. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work is of high quality.

C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

D = Quality and quantity of work is below average and barely acceptable.

F = Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable.


WEEK 1 (The pre-history and beginnings of the Gospels)

Reading: Johnson: Part One and Part two

Questions:
  1. What is Hellensitic Philosophy?
  2. What does the author believe about the writers of the New Testament? (give examples of symbolic writing styles, prejudices, and motives)

WEEK 2 (Mark)

Reading: Johnson Part Three Section 7 (Mark), and the Gospel of Mark

Questions:
  1. What does Johnson say are some concerns with the beginning and ending of Mark?
  2. What is Mark 11:34-38 asking and what is the importance of it in the book of Mark?
  3. In Mark 11:1-13:37, who are the people that are opposing the teachings of Jesus and why are they doing so?

WEEK 3 (Matthew)

Reading: Johnson Part Three Section 8 (Matthew), The Gospel of Matthew

Questions:
  1. What makes the Gospel of Matthew different than the other Gospels?
  2. What are the similarities between Mark and Matthew?
  3. Are there any references to Old Testament scripture in Matthew, if so what is the importance of referring to them?

WEEK 4 (Luke)

Reading: The Gospel of Luke, the Book of Acts, and Johnson Part Three Section 9

Questions:
  1. Is Luke and Acts a part of the same book or two separate books (give support to your answer)?
  2. What is the difference between Luke’s writing style and Matthew’s/Mark’s?
  3. Contrast and Compare the Great Wedding and the Great Feast parables in Luke and Matthew.

WEEK 5 (John)

Reading: The Gospel of John, Johnson Part Six Section 24

Questions:
  1. Is the Gospel of John considered a Synoptic Gospel (support your answer as to why it is or why it is not)?
  2. Give examples as to how John uses symbols within Judaism to get his message across?
  3. What does Johnson believe the Christological Controversy is?  
All Topics for the Final Paper must be submitted for approval by the end of this week.


WEEK 6 (Comparison of the Gospels)

Reading: Johnson pg 530-548

Questions:
  1. After having read an overview of how the books of the Bible were canonized, why was it difficult to choose only four (you can give supporting research from other texts if you wish)?
Please have the final paper submitted by the end of this week