RELG 313: Johannine Literature
Professor: Dr. Donald L.
Jones
tel: (803)777-2283
email: jonesd@sc.edu
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Fall and Spring Semesters
generic syllabus
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THE NATURE OF THE COURSE:
The Gospel of John, the Johannine letters, and the Revelation of John are considered both against the background of first century history and their theological relevance in our time; emphasis on major Johannine themes and, in the case of Revelation, the apocalyptic movement in general.
The approach is scholarly, rather than moralistic or sectarian. The course will be taught from the perspective of the Bible as a record of God's self -disclosure (revelation). An important objective is that each student will arrive at a greater intellectual appreciation of the corporate nature of our heritage of faith and how large a part of the spirit and content of Western civilization flows from the biblical sources.
This course is not designed to give easy answers to questions of personal faith, although it should provide considerable foundation of historical, literary , and theological data which will enable the earnest student to arrive at a more mature personal faith. The professor will endeavor to provide an atmosphere of freedom and intellectual honesty in which maturation in faith and understanding is possible. The student's effort to develop his/her own personal religious faith, of course, is a task in which he/she will be engaged, hopefully, for the rest of his/her life.
The methods and content of the course are determined not only by aim and objectives, but also by such factors as size of enrollment, varied and limited biblical knowledge on the part of the students, and the necessity of examination for learning and evaluation. The course should provide a background for other courses in Religious Studies. Information concerning the major in Religious Studies and the Master of Arts in Religious Studies degree will be provided
by the professor or other members of the departmental faculty.
In additional to material covered by lectures, the course structure provides opportunity for class discussion of interesting and enigmatic topics, and the raising of questions which have grown out of our studies. This attempt to combine the maximum values of the lecture method and student feedback necessarily places upon both professor and students special responsibility for class preparation and participation.
ASSIGNED TEXTS:
The New Oxford Annotated Bible (with the Apocrypha). New Revised Standard Version. Third Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001 (Paperback).
Smith, D. Moody. John. "Abingdon New Testament Commentaries." Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999 (paperback).
Efird, James M. Revelation for Today: An Apocalyptic Approach. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989 (paperback).
Become acquainted with:
- The Interpreter's Bible, especially vols. 8 & 12
- The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, 5 vols.
- The Interpreter's One-Volume Commentary of the Bible
- the Abingdon Bible Handbook
- The Interpreter's Concise Commentary: Vol. VI, The Gospels and Vol. VIII, Revelation and the General Epistles
- The Anchor Bible Dictionary , 6 vols.
- The New Interpreter's Bible; (especially vols. VIII, IX, XII)
- the Revised Edition of The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary.
REQUIREMENTS
The student should review his/her reading assignments and lecture notes being alert to thoughtful questions dor discussion. "Pop II quizzes on previous assigned readings and lectures will not be utilized unless lack of preparation and willingness to contribute warrant such means of
evaluation.
A fifty-minute mid-semester examination is scheduled. The professor will discuss the form of same near the time of examination.
A research paper of approximately ten pages is due the last day of classes. The professor will suggest several possible topics early in the semester. Should the student elect to write on a topic of his/her own choosing, he/she must clear that topic with the professor to insure its being broad enough in scope to satisfy the requirement.
There will be a final examination; the professor will
discuss its form near that time.
DETERMINATION OF GRADE FOR THE COURSE
Mid-semester examination
Research paper
Final examination
Class participation
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25 %
35 %
30 %
10%
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SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS
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week 1
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Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
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week 2
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Labor Day-NO CLASS
History, Synoptic Problem.
Form Criticism, Redaction Criticism.
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week 3
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I. Tendencies in Recent Research.
II. Authorship, Smith, 24-27.
Authorship (cont.).
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week 4
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III. Date, IV. Place, V. Direct Internal Evidence, VI. Indirect Internal
Evidence, Smith, 39-43.
VII. Background and Purpose.
Background and Purpose (cont.)
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week 5
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1. The Prologue, Smith, 47-65.
2. The Witness of John (I), 3. The Disciples, Smith, 65-80.
4. The Sign at Cana, 5. The Cleansing of the Temple, Smith, 80-93.
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week 6
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6. Nicodemus, 7. The Witness of John (II), Smith, 93-109.
8. The Samaritan Woman, 9. The Officer's Son, Smith, 109-129.
10. Sign and Controversy on the Sabbath, 11. Jesus and the Father, Smith, 129-
144.
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week 7
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12. The Feeding of the Five Thousand, 13. Walking on Water, Smith, 144-150.
14. The Bread of Life, Smith, 150-165.
MID-SEMESTER EXAM
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week 8
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Fall Break-NO CLASS
15. Chapters 7-8 (SKIP Smith, 166-190). 16. Chapters 9-10, Smith, 190-216.
17. The Raising of Lazarus, Smith, 216-232.
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week 9
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18. Chapter 12, Smith, 232-248.
19. Chapter 13, Smith, 248-262.
20. Chapter 14, Smith, 262-278.
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week10
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21. The Allegory of the Vine, Smith, 279-287. (SKIP 15:18-16:33, Smith, 287-
308).
22. The High Priestly Prayer, Smith, 308-322.
23. The Passion Narrative, Smith, 322-344.
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week11
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Passion Narrative (cont.), Smith, 344-370.
Passion Narrative (cont.), Smith, 370-389.
The Johannine Letters.
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week12
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Johannine Letters (cont.).
Johannine Letters (cont.).
Introduction to the Book of Revelation, Efird, 1-45.
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week13
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The Book of Revelation, Chapters 1-3, Efird, 45-63.
Chapters 4: 1-7:8, Efird, 63-76.
Chapters 7:9-11:6, Efird, 76-81.
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week14
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Chapters 11:7-14; Efird, 81-95.
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week15
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Chapters 14:1-17:8; Efird, 95-103.
Chapters 17:9-19; Efird, 103-111.
Chapters 20-22; Efird, 111-136; RESEARCH PAPERS DUE.
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week16
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FINAL EXAM
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