SYLLABUS
Fall Term, 2003
Mark A. Matson, Instructor
Tue. 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Course Description:

This course is an examination of the Gospel of John and the Epistles of John. The primary focus will be on the Fourth Gospel. In seeking to understand the meaning of the gospel, questions of composition, sources, structure of the narrative, and historical placement will be explored. The major themes of the Gospel and the Letters will be compared and contrasted.

Textbooks & Reading:

The required texts for this class are:

A good modern Bible. (I recommend: NRSV)
D. Moody Smith, John (A commentary, Abingdon Press)
D. Moody Smith, The Theology of the Gospel of John (Cambridge Press).
Mark Matson, John (Interpretation Bible Study)
United Bible Societies, Synopsis of the Four Gospels. (English Edition)

In addition, there are a number of readings at the reserve desk in the library and on electronic reserve (readable with Adobe Acrobat Reader). These include:

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

John Ashton, "The Johannine Jews" in Understanding the Fourth Gospel, pp.131-159/

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

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

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, "Current Approaches to the Priority of John", paper given to the Stone-Campbell Journal meeting.

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

It is extremely important that you do the reading for the day assigned in advance, as the readings are often assigned for class discussion. In addition to class discussion, many of the readings will be the subject of discussions on the class e-mail discussion list, which is part of the course.

Course Objectives:

It is my purpose that students at the completion of this course should:

  • understand and be able to describe the major theological themes and situational issues in the Gospel of John and the Letters of John.
  • understand and be able to outline the structural features in the gospel, and how that might be related to the composition and purpose of the gospel.
  • be able to critically evaluate arguments regarding the integrity of the gospel.
  • understand and be able to describe the relationship of the Fourth Gospel with the Synoptics, and have an understanding of its role in the canon of Scriptures.
  • understand and be able to discuss the scope and use of the term "Jews" in the Fourth Gospel, and how this term is crucial for the interpretation of the gospel.
  • have gained an awareness of some features in 1st century Judaism which have an impact on understanding John, and be able to explain the possible relationship between certain key features in the gospel and features in 1st century Judaism.
  • be able to describe and discuss the major theological issues in the letters of John.
  • recognize and be able to articulate the continuity and differences between the themes in the gospel of John and the letters.

Course Requirements:

Attendance at classes is expected, and student participation in class discussions and e-mail discussions will be evaluated as part of the grade. In addition to a mid-term and a final exam, students will be assigned four short papers (approx 3 pages in length) on various topics associated with the course. More details on each of these papers will be given at the appropriate time. Dates for exams and papers is on the attached tentative schedule.

Evaluation / Grading:

Grading will be on a letter grade basis. The various weights of the assignments will be as follows:

Classroom and e-mail participation 20%
Short papers (10% each) 40%
Mid-term exam 20%
Final exam 20%

Office Hours and Contact Information:

I encourage you to call or come by my office with any questions, or just to discuss the course or topics arising from it. I do not have office hours per se, but you may make an appointment for any time with my Office Assistant. My office phone number is 461-8720. In addition, please feel free to call me at home at 282-5144.

A current version of this syllabus, on which some changes in schedule might occur during the course, can be found in the Blackboard system for BIBL 324.  http://dibble.milligan.edu/?bbatt=Y. 

The e-mail discussion list for this class can be accessed through outlook as well. In the discussion list, I will frequently pose questions, often about the reading. It is my expectation that you will respond to my questions and/or others' responses to my questions. You may also pose your own questions, comments, assertions. I am hoping this will also be a forum for additional discussion that can take place outside of the classroom.

Tentative Schedule and Assignments

Aug. 26.  Introduction to Class. Syllabus reviewed.
    w Read: The entire gospel of John, in one sitting before class!

Sept. 2.  Background issues for the study of the gospel.
 w Read: D. Moody Smith, Theology, 1-20; 48-74. D. Moody Smith, John, 21-45.  Raymond Brown, The Gospel According to John, pp. lii-lxiv (online).

Sept. 9.  John and the Synoptics; Historical Issues.
    w Note: Be sure to bring your synopsis to class.
    w Read: D. Moody Smith, "John and the Synoptics: Some Dimensions of the Problem," pp 145-172. Mark Matson, "Current Issues on the Priority of John" 

Sept. 16.  Structure and Major Themes of the Narrative of John; Sources of the Gospel.
    w   Read: Smith, Theology, pp. 20-48; D. Moody Smith, "Sources of the Gospel of John," pp. 39-61; Fortna, The Gospel of Signs, pp. 1-25.
   
Sept. 23. The Prologue and Introduction of Jesus Ministry. John 1:1-51.
    w Read: Smith, John, pp.47-80; Matson, John, 7-18; Tobin, "Logos," 348-356; Ashton, "The Transformation of Wisdom" 161-186; Lamarche, "The Prologue of John," pp. 36-52.
    w Assignment: Short Paper on Prologue. Due: Oct. 7.

Sept. 30.  The Beginning of Signs: Cana and the Temple Cleansing, John 2; Nicodemus and the Samaritan Woman, John 3 & 4.
    w Read: Smith, John, 80-129; Matson, John, 19-36; Matson, "Temple Incident;" Matson, "Contribution," pp. 111-138.
    w Exam:  Take-home mid-term Exam.  Due to me via e-mail or drop box in Blackboard by Oct. 2.

Oct. 7.  The feeding sign and the body of Christ, John 5 & 6; The Tabernacles Controversies, John 7-8.
    w Read: Smith, John, 129-190; Matson, John, 36-55. 
    w Assignment: Short Paper on Ironic Statements in John. Due: Oct. 21.
    
Oct. 14. The Healing of the Blind Man: a major crux in interpretation; John 9.
    w Read: Culpepper, John, pp. 174-182; Martyn, History and Theology in the Fourth Gospel, pp. 3-41; Reinhartz, "The Johannine Community and its Jewish Neighbors: A Reappraisal," pp. 111-138.

Oct. 21.  The Shepherd Discourse, Lazarus, and the Plot against Jesus; John 10-12.
    w   Read:  Smith, John, pp. 202-248; Matson, John, pp.

Oct. 28.  The Final Supper & Arrest of Jesus.  The Final Dialogues.  John 13-17.
    w Read: Smith, John, pp. 248-322 ; Matson, John,  ; A. Jaubert, "The Calendar of Qumran and the Passion Narrative in John."
    w Assignment: Short Paper comparing the Pilate Trial in John and the Synoptics. Due: Nov. 11.

Nov. 4.  No Class (Mark at CIC meeting)

Nov. 11. The Passion, Resurrection, and Post-Resurrection Narratives. John 18-21.
    w   Read: Smith, John, pp. 323-406; Matson, John, pp.

Nov. 18.  Major Themes in the Gospel of John.  Purpose, Composition, the Jews.
    w   Read:  Smith, Theology, pp. 75-182; Brown, The Community of the Beloved Disciple, pp. 13-91; Ashton, Understanding the Fourth Gospel, pp. 131-159.
    w Assignment: Short Paper on Letters of John. Due: Dec. 2.

Nov. 25.  No Class (Mark at SBL meeting)

Dec. 2.  The Epistles of John.    
   w Read:  1, 2 and 3 John.

Dec. 8-11.  Final Examinations.