Introducing the Gospels: Mark

UFT Code: 
BN300
Unit Credit Points: 
15
Timetabling
Semester: 
First Semester
Day: 
Thursday
Time: 
2:15 - 5:15
Lecturer Profile: 
Dorothy Lee
Location: 
Trinity College Theological School
Years Offered: 
2010
2011
2012
2013

This unit introduces critical methodologies for interpreting the New Testament, via a detailed examination of the Gospel of Mark. Students will examine this Gospel’s genre, structure, socio-historical context and theological emphases. They will study theories about the transmission of Jesus-traditions in the first century and the relationships between the gospels (particularly the “synoptic gospels” – Matthew, Mark, and Luke). They will become familiar with a variety of reading methods for the Bible by employing historical, literary and reader-focussed strategies.
 

Description
Learning Outcomes: 

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

  1. demonstrate a detailed understanding of the genre, structure, socio-historical context and theological emphases of the Gospel of Mark
  2. engage in exegesis of passages from the Gospel of Mark
  3. demonstrate familiarity with critical theories of the process that led to the writing of the synoptic gospels
  4. demonstrate knowledge of the cultural and social situation of the Mediterranean world in New Testament times
  5. apply several kinds of reading methods to the Gospel of Mark and similar texts

 
 

Prohibited Combinations: 
: BN112 Introduction to Synoptic Studies and Exegesis of Mark, OBS300 Engaging with Scripture
Teaching Methods: 

3 hour class (lecture and tutorial) per week for 12 weeks

Contact Hours: 

36 Hours

Assessment: 

 
1 x written exercise of 1000 words (20%)
1 x exegetical essay of 2500 words (40%)
1 x thematic essay of 2500 words (40%)
 

Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Bibliography: 

 
* = set texts recommended for purchase
 

  • * A Bible, including the Apocryphal/Deutero-canonical Books, in a recent, fairly literal translation such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). [A “study Bible” (i.e., a biblical translation with notes and maps) is recommended, such as the New Oxford Annotated Bible or the HarperCollins Study Bible.]

 
Anderson, Janice Capel and Stephen D. Moore, eds. Mark and Method: New Approaches in Biblical Studies. 2nd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008.
Boring, M. Eugene. Mark: A Commentary. The New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Anchor Bible Reference Library. New York : Doubleday, 1997.
Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark’s Gospel. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2008.
Collins, Adela Yarbro. Mark: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007.
Donahue, John R. and Harrington, Daniel J. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina 2. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2002.
Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
Harrington, Daniel J. What are they saying about Mark? WATSA Series. New York: Paulist, 2004.
Hooker, Morna D. A Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Mark. Black's New Testament Commentaries. London: Black, 1991 [or 1993 from Hendrickson].
Marcus, Joel. Mark: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1 (covering Mark 1–8 only; the rest is not yet published). Anchor Bible 27. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
Moloney, Francis J. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2002.
Powell, Mark Allan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.
Sanders, E. P. and Margaret Davies. Studying the Synoptic Gospels. London: SCM, 1989.
Senior, Donald. The Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. Passion Series 2. Wilmington, Del.: Liturgical (Glazier), 1984.
Throckmorton, Burton H. Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels. 5th ed. (NRSV). Nashville: Nelson, 1992.
Witherington, Ben. The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
 

Unit Fields
Course: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Master of Divinity
MDiv Field: 
Foundational Biblical Studies
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Languages and Literature
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Foundational
MDiv Type of Study: 
Foundational
MTS: 
No
Postgraduate: 
No

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