Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Gospel of Matthew

Unit Code: 
OBN356
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit is a detailed exegetical study of the Gospel of Matthew, with a particular focus upon the literary structures and motifs of the Matthaean narrative, and its editorial use of the Gospel of Mark. The unit will also examine the context of Matthew within the early Christian movement as a whole. Special emphasis will be given to the following theological themes: Christology (Jesus as Son of God and authoritative Interpreter of Torah); the function of the Old Testament; ecclesiology; eschatology; ethics; the Passion and resurrection; and mission to the Gentiles. 

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an appreciation of the literary characteristics and distinctive themes of the Gospel
  2. demonstrate an articulate knowledge of the theological framework of the Matthaean Gospel and its central themes
  3. demonstrate ability to observe the patterns of Matthaean redaction of Mark’s Gospel
  4. demonstrate a knowledge of the possible circumstances in early Christianity that gave rise to the Gospel of Matthew
  5. appreciate the distinctive contribution of the Gospel to the construction of Christian theology, ethics and spirituality 
Lecturer/s: 
Dorothy Lee
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 1
Unit Frequency: 
Occasional
Years Offered: 
2010
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Courses: 
Master of Theological Studies
Field: 
Field B Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
New Testament
MDiv Field: 
Biblical Studies
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Studies
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Elective
MDiv Type of Study: 
Specialised
Prerequisites: 

30 points of Foundational units in Biblical Studies

Mode of Teaching: 
Online
Teaching Methods: 

There are six fortnightly sessions covering the Gospel of Matthew. Each session consists of guided reading from the set texts, additional reading resources and some notes, together with an online tutorial. Students will be expected to contribute to the discussions in each session.

Workload
Total workload hours per week: 
0
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

A 2,000 word exegetical essay on a Matthaean passage

Weighting: 
30%
Assessment Type: 

A 2,000 word essay on a Matthaean theme

Weighting: 
30%
Assessment Type: 

4 x 400 word written exercises

Weighting: 
30%
Assessment Type: 

Participation in each of the six online tutorials

Weighting: 
10%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

  • *Allison, D. (ed.). Matthew: A Shorter Commentary. London: T & T Clark International, 2004.
  • Boring, M. Eugene. ‘The Gospel of Matthew,’ in L. E. Keck ed. The New Interpreter’s Bible. Vol. 8. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995. 87-505.
  • Bornkamm, G., G. Barth, & H. J. Held. Tradition and Interpretation in Matthew. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982.
  • *Byrne, B. Lifting the Burden: Reading Matthew’s Gospel in the Church Today. Strathfield: St Paul’s Publications, 2004.
  • Carter, W. Matthew: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist. Rev. ed. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2004.
  • Davies, W. D. & Allison, D. C. The Gospel according to Saint Matthew. ICC. 3 Vols. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1988-97.
  • *France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.
  • Harrington, Daniel J. The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina 1. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1991.
  • Kingsbury, J. D. Matthew as Story. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1988.
  • Luz, U. Matthew: A Commentary (Hermeneia). 3 vols. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989, 2001-2007.
  • Nolland, J. The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
  • *Schnackenburg, R. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002.
  • Senior, Donald. The Gospel of Matthew. Nashville: Abingdon, 1997.
  • Senior, Donald. What are They Saying About Matthew? 2nd ed. New York: Paulist, 1996.
  • Stanton, G. (ed.) The Interpretation of Matthew. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983. 

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.