Synoptic Gospels

BIBL 458.01 Spring 2010

College Mission

CBS seeks to fulfill ACU’s mission to educate

students for Christian service and leadership
throughout the world by providing leadership
preparation and resources for effective worldwide
ministry in the cause of Christ.

Class Description

This class will engage the text of Matthew, Mark,

and Luke looking specifically at their literary
relationships, witness to Christ, and unique mes-
sages. This course assumes that the biblical text is
able to challenge and shape the class according to
the needs, backgrounds, questions, and interests of
the individuals in it, spiritually transforming people.

Class Objectives

By the end of the semester the student can:

A. Describe the so-called “Synoptic Problem” and
evaluate strengths and weaknesses of proposed
solutions,
Contact Information:
B. Identify tensions in the accounts of the historical
Jesus and defend a conservative Christian belief Curt Niccum
in Jesus and the “faith”fulness of the Gospels,
674-3764 (office) Office Hours:
C. Understand the narrative structures, theological
and literary themes, and unique messages of 232-6441 (home) MW 1-3
each of the Synoptics.
[email protected] TR 9:30-11

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BIBL 458.01 Spring 2010

Course Requirements
Class Attendance. Attendance and punctuality
are expected. A student is permitted two
unexcused absences for the semester, there-
after; each unexcused absence will lower the
final grade at the rate of 50 points per absence.
When tardy, students must report their
presence to the instructor immediately after
class (otherwise the student will receive an
unexcused absence for the day). Two unex-
cused tardies count as one unexcused absence.
In order to be excused for an absence or tardy,
students must report their absence or tardiness
and excuse to the instructor prior to the class to
be missed. Excusing an absence or tardy re-
mains at the discretion of the instructor. A
student who leaves during class and returns
will be marked for an unexcused tardy, unless
excused by the professor; a student who leaves
and fails to return will be marked for an unex-
cused absence. After six unexcused absences,
the student will be dropped from the class.
Class Preparation (250 points). Preparation is
critical for productive class discussion and
We who say we love God: why are we not as student learning. Satisfactory completion of
anxious to be as perfect in our art as we pretend we daily assignments will be evaluated through
want to be in our service of God? If we do not try to
be perfect in what we write, perhaps it is because we
quizzes and/or other forms of assessment,
are not writing for God after all. In any case it is typically ten points in value for each class
depressing that those who serve God and love Him period. Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
sometimes write so badly, when those who do not For students who have made arrangements in
believe in Him take pains to write so well. I am not advance for an excused absence, a brief
talking about grammar and syntax, but about having assignment can be completed in order to re-
something to say and saying it in sentences that are
ceive a preparation grade for that day. The
not half dead. Saint Paul and Saint Ignatius Martyr
did not bother about grammar but they certainly knew professor will decide the due date for each
how to write. . . . assignment so given.

The fact that your subject may be important in itself Research Paper (200 points). A five page paper
does not necessarily mean that what you have responding to a claim about the historical
written about it is important. A bad book about the unreliability of the Gospels will be due at the
love of God remains a bad book, even though it may beginning of class on March 25th. Specific
be about the love of God. There are many who think details will be provided separately.
that because they have written about God, they have
written good books. Then men pick up these books Tests (125 points @). Two exams will assess
and say: If the ones who say they believe in God student knowledge of the material. Questions
cannot find anything better than this to say about it, will generally consist of true/false and
their religion cannot be worth much. multiple choice questions, although at least
one short answer or essay component will also
Thomas Merton, from a meditation on 14 August 1947 typically be included.

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BIBL 458.01 Spring 2010

Blog (100 points). The student must make at least ten informed
comments on the course blog. A minimum of five must be Grading
responses to entries posted by the professor (maximum of one
per entry) and five must be contributions to ongoing discussion A 900-1000 points
through responses to other students’ comments. Each comment Excellent in nearly all aspects. Ele-
(up to a total of ten) will be worth up to ten points, graded on gantly combines clarity and economy
relevance to the topic, depth of thought, clarity of expression, of expression. Flawless knowledge,
deep comprehension, critical analysis
and respect for others. Not all responses to posts count towards and evaluation, creative synthesis and
the ten minimum. Some posts will be informational in nature mature application. Full test answers,
only (such as the “writing hints”). reflecting the entire breadth of the
pertinent material to which the
Final Exam (200 points). The final will focus primarily on topics student has been exposed, with depth
from the last part of the semester but will include at least one of comprehension, nuanced by broad
reliance on primary sources. Creative-
comprehensive component measuring student synthesis.
ly relates material to other areas of
knowledge and practice, exhibiting a
Administrivia high level of interdisciplinary skill.

Incomplete Policy An incomplete may be granted if a student has B 800-899 points

not met the requirements of the course due to illness, an Good in most aspects, though not
emergency, or some cause deemed reason-able by the marked by superiority throughout.
Accurate knowledge and good com-
professor; an incomplete is not given when a student has
prehension, exhibiting analysis and
simply been negligent toward class requirements. An “I” is evaluation, good synthesis with per-
removed by the completion of the necessary work within the haps the beginnings of application.
next long term or time approved in writing by the instructor, Good but partial test answers, re-
otherwise the “I” will become an “F” on the student’s record. flecting comprehension of at least all
the crucial components of the material
Late Policy All assignments are due at the beginning of class on to which the student has been
the date assigned. Late work will not be accepted and will exposed, with good comprehension
receive a “0.” and regular reference to primary
sources. Where appropriate, makes
Technology Policy realistic application, showing some
1. The Course Blog will serve as the primary vehicle for interdisciplinary sensitivity.
communication. Posts related to class topics will be C 700-799 points
designed to create dialogue and share ideas. Student
Competent in most aspects, with some
responses comprise 10% of the final grade (see above). lapses. General knowledge and com-
Other entries will provide helpful information or humor- prehension. Somewhat deficient test
ous material. (Frequently the latter is humorous only to answers, reflecting awareness of only
the professor.) Blog entries inviting graded student one or two of the most crucial com-
comments will be designated by an asterisk (*) in the title. ponents of the material and scarcely
nuanced by reference to the sources.
Comments on other entries are welcome, but will not Applications are fairly reasonable, but
contribute toward the student “blog” grade. do not have much interdisciplinary
creativity or appropriateness.
Documents and PowerPoint presentations will be access-
ible on the blog. The site will also provide links to websites D 600-799 points
containing relevant material or items deemed of some Exhibits effort, but marred by problems
interest to students. or flaws in thinking and development or
use of primary sources. Applications are
Assignments will also be posted on the blog. These take unrealistic and underdeveloped. Test
precedence over information provided elsewhere, answers provide little information, make
including the syllabus. It is the responsibility of the student major mistakes, and exhibit little or no
to inform the professor if an assignment does not get developed thought.
posted. F < 600 points
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BIBL 458.01 Spring 2010

Required Textbooks
New Testament (any version)

Jack Kingsbury, Matthew as Story (2nd ed.;

Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1988).

David Rhoads, et al. Mark as Story (2nd ed.;

Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1999).

Robert Stein, Studying the Synoptic Gospels (2nd ed.;

Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001).

Robert Tannehill, The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts,

You, however, continue in the things vol. 1 (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1991)
you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from
whom you have learned them; and that from childhood
you have known the sacred writings which are able to give You will also need a set of color pencils or pens,
you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith preferably black, blue, red, and green.
which is in Christ Jesus.

2. Blackboard technology (Bb) will be utilized in this course in a limited capacity. Grades will be updated
regularly under Tools - Gradebook. Some documents will be posted on Blackboard, but greater use
will be made of the course blog.
3. Electronics: Laptops are permitted in class for taking notes. Internet, Email and Instant Messaging
should be off during class. Laptops are a great tool when used with self-discipline. If you cannot
exercise self-discipline, turn off the laptop. If in the opinion of the instructor your laptop is a
distraction to you or others, he reserves the right to ban your use of the laptop during classes. Abuse
of this policy may also result in a “zero” for the preparation grade each day of offense.
4. Cell Phones should be turned to silent or airplane mode when in the classroom. If your phone rings in
class, you will be marked as tardy; if you answer your phone, you will be marked for an unexcused
absence.
5. Other devices (e.g., iPods, PDAs) are prohibited in class at the risk of an unexcused absence penalty.
Foreign students, with permission from the instructor, may use electronic dictionaries for certain
portions of the class and exams.

Intellectual Property
Copyright 2010: Abilene Christian University (the University) reserves all rights as to all class
materials and lectures, whether distributed in class, on Blackboard, on the course blog, or by
any other means. The University prohibits anyone from selling notes or being paid for taking
notes without the express written permission of the professor and Provost. Violation of
copyright may subject a person to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liabilities as well
as disciplinary action by the University.

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BIBL 458.01 Spring 2010

Academic Policy
Violations of academic integrity and other forms of cheating, as
defined in ACU's Academic Integrity Policy, involve the
intention to deceive or mislead or misrepresent, and therefore
are a form of lying and represent actions contrary to the
behavioral norms that flow from the nature of God. Violations
will be addressed as stated in the Policy, but any occurrence of
dishonesty will result in expulsion from the course. While the
university enforces the Policy, the most powerful motive for
integrity and truthfulness comes from one's desire to imitate
God's nature in life. Every member of the faculty, staff and
student body is responsible for protecting the integrity of
learning, scholarship and research. The full Policy is available
for review at the Provost's office website (http://www.acu.
edu/campusoffices/provost) and the following offices: provost,
college deans, dean of campus life, director of student judicial
affairs, director of residential life education and academic
departments.
Americans with Disabilities Act
If you have a diagnosed disability, please notify Alpha Academic Services (674-2750) before or
immediately after your first scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been verified, your
instructor will work with you and Alpha Academic Services to provide reasonable accommodations to
ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in the course.
Course Schedule
1/12 Intro to Course 3/9 Mark 5-10
1/14 History of the Synoptic Problem 3/11 Mark 11-16
1/19 Literary Dependence 3/16 Spring Break
1/21 Markan Priority I 3/18 Spring Break
1/26 Markan Priority II 3/23 Matthew 1-4
1/28 “Q” 3/25 Matthew 5-10
2/2 Other Gospels 3/30 Matthew 11-18
2/4 Other Solutions 4/1 Matthew 19-25
2/9 Mt-Lk Agreements against Mk 4/6 Matthew 26-28
2/11 Source Criticism 4/8 Test #2
2/16 Form Criticism I 4/13 Luke 1-4
2/18 Form Criticim II 4/15 Luke 5-9
2/23 Redaction Criticism I 4/20 Luke 10-14
2/25 Redaction Criticism II 4/22 Luke 15-19
3/2 Test #1 4/27 Luke 20-24
3/4 Mark 1-4 4/29 The Jesus Seminar
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, May 5, 8:00-9:45