NT1211 - Synoptic Gospels: Mark

Spring Semester 2008

Expectations/Assignments  Course Schedule  Readings  An Interpretive Model 

Instructor: James Boyce

Office: Bockman 110; Phone: 651-641-3252; E-mail: jboyce@luthersem.edu

Web site: www.luthersem.edu/jboyce;  MyLutherNet Web Course Site:  http://myluthernet.luthersem.edu  

Class: Mondays: 8:00 - 9:50 AM & Wednesdays: 9:00 - 9:50 AM -- Gullixson Hall #102

Office Hours:     Monday- Tuesday: 10:45-12:00; Thursday: 9:00 – 10:00 AM ; and other times by appointment

Grading Options

The default grading system at Luther Seminary is Pass-Marginal-Fail. Please see the "Letter Grade Option" in the Catalog. Students who elect the letter grade option must inform the instructor of this choice in writing within the first two weeks of the course. Forms for this purpose are available at the Office of the Registrar or on the web.

Course Description

A brief overview of the Synoptic Gospels, followed by a thorough analysis of the Gospel according to Mark with special attention given to its literary coherence, narrative rhetoric, historical contexts, and theological witness. Drawing upon various traditions of biblical interpretation to aid the development of students’ interpretive skills, the course explores Mark’s distinct voice among the Synoptic Gospels.

Course Objectives by Four Criteria

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

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

1. To gain a special understanding of the plot of one of the Synoptic Gospels.

2. To articulate the differences, similarities, and theological claims which each of the Synoptic Gospels makes

Attitudes (as faithful public interpreters/confessors)

3. To gain confidence in reading the gospel and in expressing what it means to interpret it faithfully and argue its claims, while appreciating the need to distinguish what the text says from what we might want it to say.

Skills (for effective leading)

4. To gain ability to read the text carefully and deal with issues raised by multiple witnesses to the story of Jesus.

5. To gain ability to make a balanced use of commentaries and other secondary literature.

Character (in habits of Christian discipleship)

6. To gain a deeper love for the story of Jesus

7. To experience a growing conviction of the power of the scriptures to nourish and transform communities.

TextBooks for the Course

Required:

Mark A. Powell. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels. Fortress
Donald H. Juel. The Gospel of Mark. Interpreting Biblical Texts. Abingdon

Alternative Concordance:
EITHER/OR Kohlenberger, Exhaustive Concordance to the Greek NT
EITHER/OR Kohlenberger, Greek-English Concordance to the NT (NIV)

Alternative Comentary:
EITHER/OR Donald H. Juel. Mark. Augsburg NT Commentary.
EITHER/OR John R. Donahue & Daniel Harrington. The Gospel of Mark.  Sacra Pagina.
EITHER/OR Morna D. Hooker. The Gospel According to St. Mark. Hendrickson

Recommended:

Synopsis of the Four Gospels (English  OR Greek Edition).

Paul J. Achtemeier.  Mark: Proclamation Commentaries. Fortress.

M. Eugene Boring. Mark: A Commentary. New Testament Library. Westminster John Knox.

Richard A. Burridge. Four Gospels, One Jesus. Eerdmans.

Ira Brent Driggers. Following God Through Mark: Theological Tension in the Second Gospel. Westminster John Knox.

Joel B. Green, ed. Hearing the New Testament : Strategies for Interpretation. Eerdmans.

Luke T. Johnson. The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. Fortress.

Donald H. Juel. A Master of Surprise. Fortress.

Amy-Jill Levine, Ed. A Feminist Companion to Mark. Pilgrim Press.

Frances J. Moloney. The Gospel of Mark. Hendrickson.

Mitzi Minor. The Spirituality of Mark. Westminster John Knox.

David Rhoads and Donald Michie. Mark as Story. Fortress.

Eduard Schweizer. The Good News According to Mark. John Knox.

Christopher Tuckett. Reading the New Testament: Methods of Interpretation.Fortress.

Lamar Williamson, Jr. Mark. Interpretation. John Knox.

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Class Sessions           (see Course Schedule below)

The class meets three hours each week, for reading of gospel texts, for lecture/discussion of issues related to interpretation of the Synoptic Gospels, and for building of interpretive skills for reading biblical texts, with primary focus on the Gospel of Mark. Small group conversation will also be used at times both within and outside of class as noted in "Assignments" to focus reading and interpreting of biblical texts. For this purpose members of the class will divide into groups of 4-5 persons that will work together throughout the course.

Expectations/Assignments

Work to be completed by students and upon which evaluation and credit will be based includes the following:

            (1)        Regular attendance at lecture/discussion and small group sessions.

            (2)        Completion of assigned readings and informed reflection on them for and in class discussion.

            (3)        Reading of the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke, preferably in one or two sittings each.  Reading of Mark to be completed in connection with the Reading/Writing assignment below. Reading of Matthew and Luke to be completed by class on Monday, February 25.

            4)         Completion of 10 "Exegetical Workshop" assignments: focusing on resources/ skills for asking questions of a biblical text (see Course Schedule)

            (5)        Completion of Text Reading Assignments (Mdiv's in Greek; MA's in English) (see attached sheet)
For MDiv (or Greek MA) students: Complete Basic Vocabulary Proficiency Quiz (by Wed. April 16)

            (6)        Secondary Reading Assignments:
a. Reading of:  Commentary of your choice from required list above; Powell, Introduction to the Gospels, chaps. 1-4; Juel, The Gospel of Mark. Interpreting Biblical Texts.

b. 100-200 pp. of other reading [see Bibliography here or in Powell or commentaries] preferably exploring articles or commentaries offering alternative viewpoints or approaches to assigned reading.

c. Keep a list of your reading along with any notes/reflections that you might wish to keep for your own future reference or study. This list of readings along with any notes is to be handed in with the second project paper due on Monday, May 5.  It will be returned to you.

            (7)        Completion of two study and writing projects as outlined below.

            (8)        Completion of Library Skills assignment in connection with introduction to library resources and research methods. (Distributed separately). It is assumed that these skills and resources will be incorporated into writing project two as noted below. The Library Skills Assignment is Due on Wednesday, April 2.

Reading/Written Assignments:

Form working/study groups (recommended maximum of 4 persons).  Groups will meet outside and in class to complete the following reading/writing assignments:

Project One (4 pages, double-spaced)

1. By Friday, February 22, read through the Gospel of Mark (preferably in one or two sittings, and out loud to one another within your study groups)

                        2. Based upon your hearing of the Gospel of Mark, write a four page essay (type-written, double-spaced) which presents:

                                    a. What do you hear? What claims does the Gospel of Mark make concerning God, Jesus, discipleship, and the future?;  What issues are at stake in this telling of the story of Jesus?

                                    b. How do you hear? In what ways does the narrative make its claims persuasive to you and other readers/hearers; and

                                    c. What will you say? How do you see this story's particular shape compelling yours and the Christian community's continued telling of the story of Jesus.

                        3. Submit a copy of this essay to each member of your study group by Monday, February 25.  Group members are to write at least one paragraph and no more than two paragraphs of comments on each of the papers and return these comments to the author by Monday, March 3.

                        4. Write a revised draft of your essay, taking into account the comments of your group members and any further reflections on the gospel of Mark. This revised draft (4 pages, double-spaced, maximum) is to be turned in to the instructor by Wednesday, March 12

Project Two (6-8 pages, double-spaced)

A six to eight page essay of interpretive study and reflection on a story (pericope) from Mark, growing out of personal study and reflection; group discussion; and conversation with secondary sources according to the process outlined below:

            Step One: Your own hearing of the text

                        Choose a story from the Gospel of Mark, (preferably one that occurs in at least two of the Synoptic Gospels; you may want to use a traditional pericope; see e.g. Revised Common Lectionary) to be your special focus for the semester. Read it carefully, without reliance on secondary sources, noting questions, observations, issues, conclusions that emerge in your hearing regarding the claims made in the story on you as a hearer and for your own telling of the story (see the "Exegetical Method" handout and "Exegetical Workshop" resources as guides for your reflection).  Write down these reflections (3-4 pages double-spaced) and make enough copies for members of your study group. This work is to be completed by class time, Monday, April, 21

            Step Two: Hearing the text within a community

                        During meetings in your study groups during class time on Monday, April 21: Each member of your group, 1) tell your chosen story from memory or in your own words, 2) reflect on the text together along with each person's written reflections; 3) then write (add equivalent of) 1-2 pages of further reflection on the text as that has arisen from this discussion in your small groups.

            Step Three: Hearing within the larger community or tradition

                        Incorporate skills from the Library session: Making use of the ATLA (ATLA Religion Database) or R&TA (Religious & Theological Abstracts) do research to find journal or essay literature on your chosen passage. Develop a bibliography of at least three articles (at least one more recent than 1980 if possible) on your chosen passage and one recent article of more general or related interest on the Gospel of Mark. Attach this bibliography to your paper.

                        Read at least one of these articles, and also commentary on your passage in at least two different commentaries.  Indicate in your Bibliography which articles/commentaries you have read, and in 1-2 additional pages , incorporate what this enlarged conversation adds to your own previous reflection individually and in your group.  Do any different theological agendas or perspectives shape this wider discussion? Are any new or different claims or issues raised?  How does their hearing compare with yours? Now gather, organize, and synthesize into a final essay your own interpretation/understanding of the message of this text as it has been informed by these three stages/arenas of hearing and study.

                        Two copies of this final essay, collecting and organizing these three stages (6-8 pages, double-spaced, maximum) is due to your instructor by class time on Monday, May 5.  One copy will be used to make copies of papers for distribution to the whole class and will be returned to you.

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Course Schedule

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 Synoptic Underlining

by Paul Berge

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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.

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Readings in the Text of Mark

Each student is expected to complete focused reading/study of selected portions of the text of Mark's Gospel in conjunction with the textual focus for the week (M.Div students and those with Greek skills are to do this work on the basis of the Greek text, making use of resources such as the Bibleworks Software (on network), an interlinear, Rogers, New Linguistic and Exegetical Key, or Zerwick-Grosvenor, Grammatical Analysis, etc. MA students should do similar careful analysis and reading of the text by choosing two or three English translations to compare closely.) Accountability for this work is to be self-initialed

In this work the student should pay attention to particular matters of grammar, syntax, vocabulary, themes, etc. (cf. "Exegetical Workshop") that reveal matters of interest or importance for understanding and/or class discussion.

(This completed form is to be handed in with the final essay and notes)

Student' Name____________________________

Week of                                   Reading                                                Initials AND Date

Week of: Feb. 18                     Mark 1:1-15                                        ____________________

Week of: Mar. 3                       Mark 2:13-22                                      ____________________

Week of: Mar. 17                     Mark 4:10-12; 26-34

                                                OR Mark 5:35-43                                ____________________

Week of: Mar. 31                     Mark 8:11-21                                      ____________________

Week of: Apr. 7                       Mark 8:22-33                                      ____________________

Week of:Apr. 14                      Mark 10:32-45                                    ____________________

Week of Apr. 28                      Mark 13:28-37                                    ____________________

Week of: May 3                       Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-8                        ____________________

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