RLGS 3373 Text and Interpretation: Johannine Spring/Summer 2010, Online Course May 10 to July 30, 2010

Instructor: Dr. Benjamin Reynolds Office: 1108 Phone: 416-226-6620 ext. 2145 E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: N/A

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION (Calendar) Each course in this series examines the literary structure, narrative development, authorial purpose and interpretation of a book in its historical context with an effort to discover the continuing relevance of that book in the development of Judeo-Christian theological understanding. Prerequisites: RLGS 1013 and RLGS 1023. Offered annually.

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION (Specific) Text and Interpretation: will explore the questions of authorship and situation of the Johannine Epistles; ancient letter writing as it relates to 1, 2, and 3 ; the dualistic concepts of Us/Them, light/dark, sin/no sin, etc. with regard to the original audience and their implications for us today; the relationship of the epistles to the of John; and the theology of the epistles.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES The learner will be able to: 1. Articulate the basic themes and messages of all three Johannine Epistles in short essay questions, having become aware of them through assigned reading. 2. Use exegetical skills to answer weekly ‘questions for reflection’ and to discuss the biblical text in question with fellow learners. 3. List the various options regarding the authorship and situation of the epistles and also to present a concise, reasoned argument for one position. 4. Articulate a reasoned argument on the theology of 1 John in a 5 page essay that critically engages with scholarship on this question. 5. Relate the early Church message of the epistles to one’s own personal faith and/or church context in a 3 page reflection paper.

1 IV. REQUIRED TEXTS 1. 1–3 John. Read more in two separate translations. a. The abbreviations of the two different translations should not share more than two letters. What I mean is the NIV and the TNIV don’t count. Neither does the RSV, ESV, or NRSV. Options of two different translations you can choose are: NIV and NASB, or NKJV and ESV, or NLT and the RSV, etc. b. Note: the Message and the Living are not translations, no matter how useful they may be. c. If you have taken Greek, contact me about translating options. 1-3 John has some of the simplest Greek in the NT. 2. Lieu, Judith M. I, II, III John (New Testament Library; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008). 3. Edwards, Ruth B. The Johannine Epistles (New Testament Guides; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1996).

V. COURSE EVALUATION 1. Participation: Due weekly by the end of Saturday (25%) a. The online forum participation takes the place of class time. As such, this is an important piece of this online course. Your participation is expected and your comments are an integral part the learning process. b. Three weekly responses to the two reflection questions are expected. i. Your initial response. ii. Your thoughtful engagement with the comments of at least two other students. More comments will be looked upon favorably in marking. iii. Your final reflection and opinion on the question. c. The first two reflections will marked in combination (15%) and should be completed earlier in the week. d. The final reflection is worth (10%) and should be posted by Saturday of each week. Your final Reflection should be a one paragraph summary answer that reflects your concluding opinion on the question. Each final reflection should take into account other students’ responses in the weekly discussions. (Keep in mind that discussion can continue on these topics beyond the “final” reflection.) e. For further criteria, consult the Marking Rubric at the end of the syllabus.

2. Midterm Exam in Week 7, Wednesday, June 23 (25%) a. Short answer questions related to authorship, situation, and themes of the epistles. b. There will also be a question asking for contemporary application of a particular passage. c. The short answer questions will be similar to weekly discussion questions.

2 3. Reflection Paper: Due Friday July 30 (10%) a. In 3 pages maximum, clearly discuss one or two themes from the Johannine Epistles, highlighting the importance of the theme(s) in the epistles. b. Discuss how or why this theme may have been important to the original audience, and also apply it to your present situation whether this be personal or related to a present ministry situation. c. Reflect on the challenge of this theme, and articulate what you have learned from it and how you would like to grow in regards to this theme. d. See the Marking Rubric at the end of the syllabus for further information.

4. Paper: Due Friday, July 30 (40%) a. Essay (5 pages maximum). Explain what you see as the main theological teaching of 1 John. Show this from the text itself. Why is it important to the author? How do the other themes in 1 John relate to what you see as the main theological point? Attempt to answer how 1 John 5:21 connects to this or show how it does not. b. Make use of at least five sources not including Lieu and Edwards. Consult the Bibliography for acceptable sources. c. See the Marking Rubric at the end of the syllabus for further information.

See the Marking Rubric at the end of the syllabus for more specific information about how these assignments will be evaluated.

Students are responsible to keep a backup print copy of all assignments.

VI. Assignment Summary Evaluation is based upon the completion of the following assignments:

Assignment Due Date Mark % Forum Participation: Reading, Online interaction By Saturday 25% weekly Midterm Exam Wed June 23 25% Reflection Paper July 30 10% Final Paper on the Theology of 1 John July 30 40% Total Grade 100 %

VII. COURSE OUTLINE Week 1 – Introduction to the Johannine Epistles: Authorship, Situation of the epistles, Letter writing in the ancient world  Read o 1–3 John in two different translations (If you’ve had Greek, let’s make use of it. This is some of the easiest Greek in the NT!)

3 o Lieu, 1–32. o Edwards, 1–21, 47–56.  Watch lectures  Answer Reflection Questions o First, tell us a bit about yourself. Then answer the following two questions: o Does the authorship and the situation of the Johannine Epistles matter for us today? Why or why not? o How has letter writing changed or stayed the same? Does email count? What about texting? Week 2 – 3 John  Read o 3 John in two different translations o Lieu on 3 John o Edwards, 22–25.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o Why do you think that Jesus is not mentioned in this ? Is this a problem? o Why do we have political issues at church? How can we best address these situations when they arise?

Week 3 – 2 John  Read o 2 John in two different translations o Lieu on 2 John. o Edwards 26–32.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions  Who is the elect lady? Is she an individual? If so what is her role? Is she a church? Another option? Interact with Edwards’ and Lieu’s view on this. And don’t forget to address “her children” and “her sister.”  How do we decide whether we should take the side of truth or unity in questions of doctrine and theology? How can we maintain unity and be faithful to the truth at the same time? Does it have to be either/or?

Week 4 – 1 John: Introduction to 1 John and 1 :1–2:2  Read o 1 John 1:1–2:2 in two different translations o Lieu on 1 John 1:1–2:2. o Edwards, 69–81.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o “Walking in the Light,” “doing the truth,” and having “his word in us” is all very “churchy” language. How would you explain these phrases

4 to someone who has no clue as to what we are talking about? What do they really mean? o What does it mean to you that Jesus is the “propitiation for our sins” (2:2)?

Week 5 – 1 John 2:3–17  Read o 1 John 2:3–17 in two different translations. o Read Lieu on 1 John 2:3–17.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o What is this new command and what ‘beginning’ is the author speaking of? How does this beginning relate, if at all, to the ‘beginning’ in 1:1? o To quote Marshall regarding the “children,” “fathers,” and “young men:” “Are we to take this literally, or metaphorically, or in some other way?” In other words are real fathers, children, and young men meant?

Week 6 – 1 John 2:18–3:3  Read o 1 John 2:18–3:3 in two different translations o Lieu on 1 John 2:18–3:3. o Edwards, 57–67.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o What is the meaning of ‘many ’ having come? How would you define an/the based on what the author says? Does this have any contemporary relevance? o What does it mean to ‘remain’ or ‘abide’?

Week 7 – MIDTERM EXAM

Week 8 – 1 John 3:4–18  Read o 1 John 3:4–18 in two different translations o Lieu on 1 John 3:4–18. o Edwards, 94–105.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o What do you make of the contradiction between the statement ‘If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us’ (1:8, also 9–10) and the statement in 3:6 ‘No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or know him’ (NIV)? o There is quite a bit of US vs. THEM language (of God vs. of the devil, light vs. dark, the world vs. not the world, love vs. hate, etc.). How would

5 you say this language influences our understanding of the author and audience of 1 John?

Week 9 – 1 John 3:19–4:6  Read o 1 John 3:19–4:6 in two different translations o Lieu on 1 John 3:19–4:6. o Edwards, 82–93.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o How can a command be composed of belief and love? o Why do you think that there is an emphasis on testing false prophets and the Spirit of God this at this point in the epistle (compare 1:1–4; 2:20–25)? Does this have relevance for today?

Week 10 – 1 John 4:7–5:4  Read o 1 John 4:7–5:4 in two different translations o Lieu on 1 John 4:7–5:4.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o God’s love is explained not merely as God sending his Son (compare John 3:16). What is the significance for our author concerning the Son as an atoning sacrifice? How do you understand this? o What do you make of the circularity of thought in 5:2–3?

Week 11 – 1 John 5:5–21  Read o 1 John 5:5–21 in two different translations o Lieu on 1 John 5:5–21. o Edwards, 106–115.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions o What are your thoughts on the three that testify: the Spirit, water, and the blood? What do you think this means? (Did anyone notice their footnote or the text of the KJV?) o 5:13 is called 1 John’s purpose statement (see Marshall, 243). Do you think this verse incorporates the main points of the epistle? Why or why not?

Week 12 – The Theology of 1 John and the Relationship of the Gospel to 1–3 John  DUE Personal Reflection Paper and Final Paper  Read 1–3 John again for the first time.  Read lecture notes  Answer Reflection Questions

6 o The author has placed considerable emphasis on Jesus coming in the flesh and as atoning sacrifice. What do you think this says about the false prophets/antichrists/difficulties that the author’s audience was facing? Any relation? o Why the strong dualism (Us vs. Them)? Is this something that the contemporary church in North America does? Is that good or bad? o Final Wrap Up: Any Comments and Questions?

VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Commentaries  Brooke, A.E. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Johannine Epistles (ICC; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1912). http://www.archive.org/details/acriticalandexeg00broouoft  Brown, Raymond E. The Epistles of John: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (Anchor Bible 30; Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1982).  Lieu, Judith. 1, 2, 3 John (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2008).  Marshall, I. Howard. The Epistles of John. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994).  Painter, John. 1, 2 and 3 John (Sacra Pagina 18; Collegeville, MN Liturgical Press, 2002).  Rensberger, David K. 1 John, 2 John, 3 John. (Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 1997).  Schnackenburg, Rudolph. The Johannine Epistles: Introduction and Commentary (Reginald and Isle Fuller, trans.; New York: Crossroad, 1992).  Smalley, Stephen S. 1, 2, 3 John (Word; Waco, TX: Word, 1984).  Yarbrough, Robert W. 1–3 John (BECNT; Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008).

B. Books  Brown, Raymond E. Community of the Beloved Disciple: The Lifes, Loves and Hates of an Individual Church in the New Testament (New York: Paulist Press, 1979).  Forster, Greg. The Ethics of the Johannine Epistles (Cambridge: Grove Books, 2003).  Hengel, M. The Johannine Question (J. Bowden, trans.; London: SCM, 1989).  Klauck, Hans-Joseph. Ancient Christian Letters and the New Testament: A Guide to Context and (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2006).  Köstenberger, Andreas J. A Theology of John’s Gospel and Letters: Biblical Theology of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009).  Lieu, Judith. The Theology of the Johannine Epistles (New Testament Theology; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991).  Loader, William. The Johannine Epistles (London: Epworth Press, 1992).  Van Wahlde, Urban C. The Johannine Commandments: 1 John and the Struggle for the Johannine Tradition (New York: Paulist Press, 1990).

7  Van der Watt, Jan G. An Introduction to the Johannine Gospel and Letters (T&T Clark Approaches to ; New York: T&T Clark, 2007).

For a more extensive bibliography, including articles, see http://catholic- resources.org/John/Bibliog-Epistles.html

C. Online Resources  The Web maintained by Felix Just: http://catholic- resources.org/John/Bibliog-Epistles.html. a. Especially http://catholic-resources.org/John/Epistles.html b. Bibliography: http://catholic-resources.org/John/Bibliog-Epistles.html  New Testament Gateway maintained by Mark Goodacre: http://ntgateway.com/.  Brooke, A.E. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Johannine Epistles (ICC; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1912). http://www.archive.org/details/acriticalandexeg00broouoft  Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08435a.htm.  Google Books Search: 1, 2, 3 John

8 IX. MARKING RUBRICS Assignment Evaluation Rubrics (How I will be marking your work)

Weekly Reflection Question Grading Rubric

Category 1 2 3 4 SCORE

Completeness of addresses none of addresses less than addresses all parts completely addresses post the questions all of the of the questions; all parts of the presented; far too questions; shorter respectable length; questions; short; nearly all in length; several somewhat respectable length; are incomplete answers are complete complete response incomplete

Promptness and initial posting after initial posting on initial posting on initial posting on or Initiative Tuesday; does not or before Tuesday; or before Tuesday; before Tuesday; respond to most responds to most responds to most consistently responds postings; rarely postings several postings within a to postings in a participates freely days after initial timely manner; timely manner; discussion; limited requires demonstrates good initiative occasional self-initiative prompting to post

Delivery of Post utilizes poor errors in spelling few grammatical consistently uses spelling and and grammar or spelling errors grammatically correct grammar in most evidenced in are noted in posts posts with rare posts; posts appear several posts misspellings "hasty"

Relevance of posts topics which occasionally posts frequently posts consistently posts Post do not relate to the off topic; most topics that are topics related to discussion posts are short in related to discussion topic; content; makes length and offer no discussion cites additional short or irrelevant further insight into content; post references, post remarks the topic prompts further prompts further discussion of topic discussion

Expression does not express unclear connection opinions and ideas expresses Within the Post opinions or ideas to topic evidenced are occasionally substantiated clearly; no in minimal substantiated; opinions and ideas in connection to expression of stated clearly with a clear and concise topic opinions or ideas; occasional lack of manner with obvious mostly connection to connection to topic unsubstantiated topic opinions

Contribution to does not make occasionally frequently aware of needs of the Learning effort to makes meaningful attempts to direct community; Community participate in reflection on the discussion and frequently attempts learning group’s efforts; to present relevant to motivate group community as it marginal effort to viewpoints for discussion; presents develops; seems become involved consideration by creative approaches indifferent with group group; interacts to topic freely

TOTAL

9 ASSESSMENT RUBRIC Final Paper Assignment, RLGS 3373 Johannine Epistles Name: Excellent (A, 400–320): Good (B, 319–280): Average (C, 279–240): Below Average (D, Fail (F, 199 and Excellent to superior work Good to fair work in Passing work, but in 239–200): confusing, below): poor work; in all areas as indicated in most aspects; minor serious need of lacks explanation or does not meet the instructor’s written deficiency in relation to improvement in many completion; little instructor’s written expectations; exemplary instructor’s written areas, especially in conforming to expectation performance, expectations regarding regard to form and instructor’s written regarding content, participation, creativity content, writing style or content; minimal grasp expectations regarding writing style or and writing; fully procedures; adequate of facts, analysis and content, writing style procedures; little to addresses the criterion; grasp of facts, analysis, application; very few or procedures; overall, no evidence of excellent grasp of facts, and practical clear statements or below professional addressing the issue analysis and application; application; clear explanations. quality standards; not at hand; complete consistently clear statements and quality work. lack of clarity; far statements and explanations are limited, below desired explanations. but above average quality. quality. Criteria Deductions Comments Grasp of major themes of 1 John – able to discuss the major themes of 1 John in an interesting and creative manner, and able to link the themes together and show their interconnectivity. 100 pts Clear and Concise Argumentation – clearly state which theological point is considered main point, able to substantiate and support this claim from the text of 1 John, make thorough use of all related texts from 1John. 80 pts Engagement with scholarly secondary literature – make use of at least 5 sources, show understanding of the various scholarly viewpoints, able to defend own view against dissenting views, cite sources consistently using whatever style preferred (but choose a style!). 80 pts Evidence of Critical Thinking – able to articulate own thoughts on the subject, not parroting others but thinking on one’s own. 80 pts English and Clarity – Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation used throughout the paper, good order (introduction, body, conclusion), clear and understandable, flows well from section to section and within sections. 60 pts TOTAL POINTS out of 400 Final comments

10 ASSESSMENT RUBRIC Reflection Paper Assignment, RLGS 3373 Johannine Epistles Name: Excellent (A, 100–80): Good (B, 79–70): Good to Average (C, 69–60): Below Average (D, 59– Fail (F, 49 and below): Excellent to superior work fair work in most aspects; Passing work, but in 50): confusing, lacks poor work; does not in all areas as indicated in minor deficiency in relation serious need of explanation or meet instructor’s the instructor’s written to instructor’s written improvement in many completion; little written expectation expectations; exemplary expectations regarding areas, especially in regard conforming to regarding content, performance, participation, content, writing style or to form and content; instructor’s written writing style or creativity and writing; fully procedures; adequate grasp minimal grasp of facts, expectations regarding procedures; little to no addresses the criterion; of facts, analysis, and analysis and application; content, writing style or evidence of addressing excellent grasp of facts, practical application; clear very few clear statements procedures; overall, the issue at hand; analysis and application; statements and explanations or explanations. below professional complete lack of consistently clear are limited, but above quality standards; not clarity; far below statements and average quality. quality work. desired quality. explanations. Criteria Deductions Comments Articulation of one theme in the Johannine Epistles – clearly discuss one or two themes from the Johannine Epistles, highlight the importance of the theme(s) in the epistle(s). 30 pts Application – discuss how or why this theme may have been important to the original audience, also apply the text to your present situation whether this be personal or related to a present ministry situation. 30 pts Personal Reflection – Reflect on the challenge of this theme, articulate what you have learned from it and how you would like to grow in regards to this theme. 30 pts English and Clarity – Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation used throughout the paper, good order (introduction, body, conclusion), clear and understandable, flows well from section to section and within sections. 10 pts TOTAL POINTS out of 100 Final comments

11