This will be an exegetical study of the Fourth Gospel, focusing on John's important thematic and theological issues. The study will embrace a wide range of issues including the following: comparison of the Fourth Gospel with the Synoptics, consideration of the structure of the Gospel as an indication of its meaning, evaluation of various theories about the history of composition and authorship, and study of the cultural background of major themes in the Gospel. There will be a balance between close analysis of individual texts and an examination of the narrative development of the whole gospel. Special emphasis will be given to various topics, including the relationship of "signs" to faith, the role of the community of faith, John's Christology and cosmology, John's dualism, and the ethics of interpreting John's possible anti-semitism. The Greek text will be the utilized throughout, and grammatical analysis will be required. Short exegetical assignments will be assigned at intervals, and a major research paper will be required. Prerequisite: NT 5010-5020.

Tuesday & Wednesdays, 12:30-1:50

My office is in Derthick Hall, at Milligan College. You can make appointments to see me almost anytime - just call my Administrative Assistant at 461-8720 for an appointment or if you want to speak with me. You can also call me at home at 282-5144 in the evening if you have questions.

Please note: All readings on the attached course outline (major textbooks and/or reserve readings) are to be read before the class period for which they are assigned.  

Required Texts:

        John Ashton, Understanding the Fourth Gospel, Oxford University Press, 1993.

        D. Moody Smith, John, Abingdon, 1999.

        Raymond Brown, The Gospel According to John (2 vols). Anchor Bible. Doubleday, 1966. or

        Rudolf Schnackenberg, The Gospel According to St. John (3 vols). Crossroad, 1990.

John Ashton, "The Transformation of Wisdom. A Study of the Prologue of John's Gospel," NTS 32 (1986): 161-186.

Raymond Brown, The Community of the Beloved Disciple, pp. 13-91.

Raymond Brown, The Gospel According to John, pp. lii-lxiv.

James Charlesworth, "A Critical Comparison of the Dualism in 1QS 3:13-4:26 and the 'Dualism' Contained in the Gospel of John," in John and the Dead Sea Scrolls, pp. 76-104.

R. Alan Culpepper, "The Gospel of John as a Document of Faith in a Pluralistic Culture," in What is John? Readers and Readings of the Fourth Gospel, pp. 107-127.

Robert Fortna, The Gospel of Signs, pp. 1-25.

A. Jaubert, "The Calendar of Qumran and the Passion Narrative in John," in John and the Dead Sea Scrolls, pp. 62-75.

Paul Lamarche, "The Prologue of John," in The Interpretation of John, pp. 36-52.

J. Louis Martyn, History and Theology in the Fourth Gospel, pp. 3-41.

Mark Matson, "The Contribution of the Temple Cleansing by the Fourth Gospel," in 1992 SBL Seminar Papers, pp.489-506.

Mark Matson, "The Temple Incident: An Integral Element in the Fourth Gospel Narrative," forthcoming in Jesus in Johannine Tradition.

Adele Reinhartz, "The Johannine Community and its Jewish Neighbors: A Reappraisal, in What is John? Vol II: Literary and Social Readings of the Fourth Gospel, pp. 111-138.

D. Moody Smith, "John and the Synoptics: Some Dimensions of the Problem," in Johannine Christianity, pp. 145-172.

D. Moody Smith, "Sources of the Gospel of John," in Johannine Christianity, pp. 39-61

Thomas Tobin, "Logos" in Anchor Bible Dictionary IV: 348-356.

1. Regular class attendance, reading of texts and reserve readings for discussion, and translation of Greek text of John. (20%)
2. A mid-term examination (20%)
3. 3 exegetical/analytical papers (2-3 pages each) (30%)
4. A final research paper (approx. 15 pages in length) (30%)

0. To know the basic structure and main themes of the Gospel of John.
1. To understand the major lines of thought about how the Fourth Gospel was composed, and how that might influence interpretation.
2. To understand the major theological issues in the Fourth Gospel -especially the Fourth Gospel's treatment of Judaism and its own religions exclusivism.
3. To know major background patterns of religious practice or thought that might have influence the composition of John.
4. To have read extensively in the Greek text of John.

Aug. 30:    John and the Synoptics: an Introduction.

                    Reading:        D. Moody Smith, "Sources of the Gospel of John, pp. 39-61.
                                         Robert Fortna, The Gospel of Signs, pp. 1-25.

Sept. 6:     Influences on the Gospel of John: A Survey.

                    Reading:        Raymond Brown, The Gospel of John, pp. lii-lxiv.

                    Read the entire Gospel of John (in English), preferably in one sitting

                    Reading:       D. Moody Smith, John, pp. 47-80.
                                        Tobin, "Logos" from ABD IV: 348-356.
                                        Ashton, "Transformation of Wisdom," 161-186.
                                        Lamarche, "The Prologue of John," 36-52

                    Assignment:     Translate John 1:1-51

                    Assignment:  Translate John 2: 1-24

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 80-108

                    Assignment:  Translate John 3: 1-21

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 109-144

                    Assignment:  Translate John 5:19-47

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 144-169

                    Assignment:  Translate John 6:60- 7:9

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 169-190.
                                        Ashton, Understanding John, pp. 330-336

                    Assignment:  Translate John 7: 10-36

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 190-202

                    Assignment:  Translate John 9:1-41

                    Reading:       J. Louis Martyn, History and Theology of the Fourth Gospel, pp. 3-41.
                                         Adele Reinhartz, "Johannine Community and its Jewish Neighbors," pp. 111-138.

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 202-232

                    Assignment:  Translate John 11:1-44

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 262-308

                    Assignment:  Translate John 14:15-31.

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 308-322

                    Assignment:  Translate 17:1-19

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 322-370

                    Reading:       Smith, pp. 370-389.
                                        Ashton, Understanding John, pp. 485-514.

                    Assignment:  Translate John 20:1-23

                    Reading:       Ashton, Understanding John, 124-159

                    Reading:       Ashton, Understanding John, pp. 516-553

                    Reading:       Ashton, Understanding John, pp. 205-237.
                                         Charlesworth, pp. 77-105

Nov. 29: John's Understanding of Jesus: Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man.

                    Reading:       Ashton, Understanding John, pp. 238-279; 292-329; 337-373

                    Reading:        Culpepper, "Gospel of John as Document of Faith, pp. 108-127.

                    FINAL RESEARCH PAPER DUE

                    Reading:        Ashton, Understanding John, pp. 160-204.
                                        Brown, Community of the Beloved Disciple, pp. 13-91