BN1020 —

New Testament I: Gospel of Mark and Exegetical Method

1st semester Tuesday evening (Min. No. 6)

Content

The unit will commence with a brief study of the historical setting and literary forms of the New Testament writings, with special emphasis on the origin, literary character and theology of the Markan narrative. The methodology of biblical exegesis will be explained and illustrated in relation to the Gospel, with some reference to the other Synoptic Gospels.

Prerequisites

None

Learning Outcomes

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

1. demonstrate their knowledge of the contents and structure of the New Testament, and their ability to recognise the types of literature and literary forms found in the New Testament
2. demonstrate familiarity with the geographic and historical background to the New Testament texts and the social and political world in which they emerged
3. demonstrate their knowledge of the structure, content and key theological themes of the Gospel of Mark, the purpose for which it was written, the literary and narrative techniques that are used and its relationship to the other Synoptic Gospels
4. demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the Gospel of Mark and the OT and recognise implicit and explicit intertextual references
5. demonstrate ongoing familiarity with the materials that assist NT interpretation, particularly by writing exegetical papers and an exegetical essay.

Assessment

Two short exegetical exercises (600 words each) (20%); 1800 word essay (50%); written examination: one hour (30%)

Bibliography

NRSV Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books

Boring, Eugene. Mark A Commentary. NTL. London: Westminster John Knox, 2006.

Brown, Raymond E. Introduction to the New Testament. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1997.

Donahue, John R., and Daniel J. Harrington. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina 2. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2002.

Hooker, Morna D. The Gospel according to St Mark. London: A. & C. Black, 1991.

Moloney, Francis J. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson 2002.

Mullins, Michael. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary. Dublin: Columba, 2005.

Rhoads, David M., Joanna Dewey, and Donald M. Michie. Mark as Story: Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1999.

Throckmorton, Burton H. Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels. 5th ed. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992.

Ryan, Maurice, ed. Reading the Bible: An Introduction for Students. Tuggerah, NSW: Social Science Press, 2003.

Witherington III, Ben. The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001.

Lecturer

Glenda Bourke SGS