Preaching the Gospels (BN9111B)

Content

This unit immerses students in the historical contexts, literary features, stories, discourses, and key themes of the Four Gospels. Through engagement with current New Testament scholarship and analysis of selected texts, students will uncover the distinctive perspectives and theological messages within each Gospel. The unit also fosters the development of exegetical skills vital for interpretation and practical application, while exploring creative ways of integrating their insights into the art of preaching. Upon completion, students gain a nuanced understanding of the Gospels, equipping them with practical tools for interpretation and sermon development strategies that help to faithfully capture and communicate the unique voices of Gospel narratives.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisites: 24 points in BN and 24 points in DL

Pedagogy

This unit applies a constructivist approach to HEd pedagogy attuned to online delivery. Teaching and learning in the unit occur through various student-centered learning experiences. Apart from undertaking assessment-for-learning tasks, students will engage with guided readings, exegetical exercises, knowledge application exercises, reflections, video lessons, a variety of online teaching and learning activities, etc. Online tutorials, workshops, and discussions will provide spaces for peer-to-peer learning and developing discipline-specific and soft skills.

Indicative Bibliography

• Aland, Kurt. Synopsis of the Four Gospels: Greek-English Edition of the Synopsis Quattuor Evangeliorum, on the Basis of the Greek Text of Nestle- Aland 27th Edition and Greek New Testament 4th Revised Edition, the English Text Is the Second Edition of the Revised Standard Version. Twelfth edition. Stuttgart: German Bible Society, 2001.
• Barton, Stephen C., and Todd Brewer, eds. The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021.
• Blount, Brian K., and Gary W. Charles. Preaching Mark in Two Voices. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002.
• Bond, Helen K. The First Biography of Jesus: Genre and Meaning in Mark’s Gospel. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2020.
• Burridge, Richard A. Four Gospels, One Jesus: A Symbolic Reading. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014.
• Fleer, David, and Dave Bland. Preaching Mark's Unsettling Messiah. Saint Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2006.
• Jarvis, Cynthia A., and E. Elizabeth Johnson, eds. Feasting on the Gospels. 4 vols. A Feasting on the Word Commentary. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013.
• Kuruvilla, Abraham. Mark: A Theological Commentary for Preachers. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2012.
• Kysar, Robert. Preaching John. Fortress Resources for Preaching. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2002.
• Marsh, Clive, and Steve Moyise. Jesus and the Gospels. Third Edition. London: Bloomsbury, 2015.

Assessment