NT200: Matthew page 2
NT601: Matthew
Course Description:
A concentrated study of the gospel of Matthew, including methodology, content, and issues surrounding the study of Matthew’s gospel.
Course Objectives:
1. Students will gain a thorough understanding of Matthew’s plot, structure, themes, and messages in the pursuit of a coherent reading of this gospel.
2. Students will become familiar with various critical issues related to the study of Matthew, including authorship and dating issues, methodological approaches to Matthew, and current scholarly discussion of key features of Matthew.
3. Students will gain experience in researching and presenting on topics related to the study of Matthew’s gospel.
4. Students will experience the intended impact of Matthew’s narrative for the shaping of their own faith.
5. Students will bring Matthew’s theology into conversation with their own theological reflection, ministry leadership, and formation.
Required Texts:
1. Bauer, David R. and Mark Allen Powell, Eds. Treasures New and Old: Recent Contributions to Matthean Studies. Society of Biblical Literature Symposium Series 1. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1996. #0-7885-0220-4
2. Brown, Jeannine K. “Matthew.” Unpublished Manuscript. St. Paul, 2008. [in Blackboard course documents]
3. France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007. #0-8028-2501-X
Recommended Text: Gurtner, Daniel and John Nolland, eds. Built Upon the Rock: Studies in the Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2008. #0-8028-4563-0
Assignments (cf. assignment instructions provided by instructor):
1. Exercise on Matthew and the Torah (10%): Students will complete an exercise that synthesizes Matthew’s view of the Law and uses this synthesis for understanding the message of the Sermon on the Mount.
2. Exegetical Paper (35%): Students will research and write an exegetical paper focused on Matt 11:2-13:53.
3. Issue Paper (40%; 10% of which is related to content/quality of in-class presentation): Students will research and write a paper focused on an issue or methodology related to Matthew. Students will then present a summary of their work in class. An outline/proposed bibliography of the paper will be submitted on Oct 13 so that feedback on the direction of the paper can be provided before paper due date and presentation.
4. Integrative Paper (10%): Students will choose one from a number of possible topics with the goal of exploring the intersection between Matthew’s gospel and other areas of learning and/or practice.
5. Reading (5%): Students will turn in a reading report at the end of the quarter indicating the percentage of assigned readings completed. Students will receive a reading guide for France’s commentary, specifying the sections for required reading.
Late Work Policy: Unapproved late work will be penalized; 5% will be deducted from the assignment grade per each day late. It will no longer be accepted after the 9th late day. Matthean issue papers will not be accepted after their due date given the scheduled presentations that depend upon timely submission.
Course Schedule
Methodology, Structure, and Themes
Matthew 1-2
9/29 / Matthew 3-4
Matthean Topics and Issues
[Sign-up for Matthean issue papers] / Read: Matthew 1-28;
France Introduction (1-22);
France + Brown—Matt 1-4;
BP—Hagner (27-68); Bauer
(129-159)
10/6 / The Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) / Read: France + Brown—Matt 5-7
BP—Snodgrass (99-127);
Anderson (233-250)
Due: Exercise on Matthew and the Torah
10/13 / Matthew 8:1-11:1Matthean Methodologies and Interpreters /
Read: France + Brown—Matt 8-10
BP—Levine essay (379-397)
Due: Issue Paper Outline & Bibliography
10/2010/27 / Reading Weeks / Read: France + Brown—Matt 11-16
Matthew 1-28 (read or audio)
11/3 / Matt 11:2-16:20
Matthean Christology / Read: BP—Pregeant essay (197-232)
Due: Exegetical Paper—Matt 11:2-13:53
11/10 / Matt 16:21-20:28
Disciples/Discipleship in Matthew / Read: France + Brown—Matt 17-20
BP—Garland essay (69-98)
11/17 / Matt 20:29-25:46 / Read: France + Brown—Matt 21-28
BP—Powell essay (161-196);
Weaver essay (179-196);
Luz essay (271-310)
11/24 / No Class / Due: Matthean Issue Paper (by Wed., 11/26)
12/1 / Student Papers on Matthean Issues
Matt 26:1-28:20 / Due: Integrative Assignment
Due: Reading Report
Possible Topics for Matthean Issue Paper
Methodologies in Matthew:
Redaction Criticism applied to Matthew
Narrative Criticism applied to Matthew
Sociological Approaches in Matthew
Feminist Criticism in Matthew
Interpreters of Matthew:
Ulrich Luz
Warren Carter
Mark Allen Powell
Amy-Jill Levine
Jack D. Kingsbury
W. D. Davies
Elaine Wainwright
Janice Capel Anderson
Graham Stanton
David Bauer
Robert Gundry
Daniel Patte
Donald Hagner
Issues in Matthew
The Structure of Matthew
Matthew’s Christology
Sermon on the Mount: Approaches and Readings
Anti-Semitism in Matthew
Matthew’s Parables
The Resurrection Narrative in Matthew
Characterization of Jesus in Matthew
Characterization of Jewish Authorities in Matthew
Themes in Matthew
Eschatology in Matthew
The Mission to the Gentiles in Matthew
Faith in Matthew
Righteousness in Matthew