NT604: the Gospel of John

NT203: John Jeannine K. Brown September, 2009 Bethel Seminary Sept 8-21 (8 sessions; not on 10th and 11th) Phone: 651-635-8758 1-5pm Email: [email protected] P.O. Box: 7004

NT604: The Gospel of John

Course Description: A concentrated study of the gospel of John, including methodology, content, and issues surrounding the study of John’s gospel. Focus will be given to a narrative reading of John to discern the author’s intentions for the shaping of the reader.

Course Objectives: 1. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the plot and structure of John as well as the themes and message of the book. 2. Students will become familiar with various critical issues related to the study of John, including authorship and dating issues, methodological approaches to John, and current scholarly discussion of key features of John. 3. Students will gain experience in researching texts and topics related to John. 4. Students will experience the intended impact of John’s narrative for the shaping of their own faith. 5. Students will gain experience preparing and presenting material for classmates.

Required Texts: O’Day, Gail. “John.” In New Interpreters Bible: Luke/John, Vol IX. Edited by Leander Keck. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995. ISBN# 687278228

Culpepper, R. Alan and C. Clifton Black. Exploring the Gospel of John : in honor of D. Moody Smith. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox, 1996. ISBN# 0664220835

Koester, Craig R. The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN# 9780802829382

Required Essays: Brown, Jeannine K. ““Creation’s Renewal in the Gospel of John.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Accepted for publication.

Assignments: (cf. full description of required papers provide in class)

1. Quiz 1 (John 1-12) (15%): Students will complete a closed-book quiz on John 1-12, which will include objective-type questions on structure, themes, content, and scholarly discussion of these chapters. Sept 16

2. Quiz 2 (John 13-21) (15%): Students will complete a closed-book quiz on John 13- 21, which will include objective-type questions on structure, themes, content, and scholarly discussion of these chapters. Sept 21 page 2

3. Reading and Participation (10%): As much as possible, students should read assignments according to the due dates on the course schedule, so that class discussion is based on informed interaction with the readings. Given the compressed time frame of the course, however, students may complete readings through the final day of class (Sept 21). All students should submit a reading report indicating the percentage of assigned readings completed by Sept 21.

4. Exegetical Paper (40%): Students will research and write an exegetical paper focused on John 11:1-44. Cf. instructions provided in class. Due: Sept 28.

5. John in Ministry (20%): Choose one of the following scenarios and discuss how you would draw upon John’s gospel in that scenario (3-5 pp). Due: Sept 25. a. You are asked to officiate a wedding and the passage chosen for you to preach is John 2:1-11. What themes and messages would you emphasize in order to allow the author’s communicative intention to come through? Justify your answer from the passage and its contexts, making sure that you are addressing not only the plot but relevant Johannine themes. b. As teacher in the first-second grade Sunday school class, your job next week is to tell the story of John in an age appropriate way in no longer than five minutes. Share your script with me and indicate how you sought to be faithful (albeit in simplified form) to the author’s storyline. c. You are leading a Bible study in John (large or small group) and one of the participants comments on John 8:44, saying that Jews throughout history and today are children of the devil. How do you respond, using the text of John within your answer?

LATE WORK POLICY: Unapproved late work will be penalized; 5% will be deducted from the assignment grade per each day late. It will no longer be accepted after the 5th late day.

GRADING SCALE: As indicated in the Bethel Catalog, the grading scale of A-F indicates the following: A Excellent, outstanding work B Good work C Acceptable work D Poor work F Inadequate work

Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in Academic Course Policies document found on the Syllabus page in Blackboard. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated. page 3

Course Schedule

9/8 Introduction to John: Methodology, Structure, and Themes John 1:1-18

9/9 John 1-4 O’Day: Introduction + Jn 1-4 Historical and Background Issues in Culpepper: Chs 2-4, 7, 9 Johannine Studies

9/14 John 5-10 Read: Gospel of John (TNIV, CEV, or NRSV); O’Day: Jn 3-5; Culpepper: Chs 2- 4, 7, 9; Part 3

9/15 John 11-12 Read: O’Day: Jn 6-10; Culpepper: Part 4

9/16 John 13-14 Read: O’Day: Jn 11-12; Koester: chs 1-4 Quiz 1

9/17 John 15-17 Read: O’Day: Jn 13-17 Introduction to Johannine Methodologies and Interpreters

9/18 John 18-19 Read: Gospel of John (CEV, HSB, or NASB); Koester: chs 5-8

9/21 John 20-21 Read: O’Day: Jn 18-21; Quiz 2 Culpepper: Part 5

Due: Reading Report

9/25 Due: John Ministry Paper FRI 9/28 Due: John Exegetical Paper MON