Johannine Literature (BIB 403)
Prof: Thomas E. Phillips, Ph.D. Office: Rohr 115
Phone: 619-849-2290 Email: thomasphillips@pointloma.edu
www.thomasephillips.info
Course Description: A study of he Johannine literature (Gospel, Letters and Apocalypse) in relation to its social setting and content, and its theological significance of the development of early Christianity. (PLNU Catalogue).
Course Objectives:
(1) To foster within the student an appreciation
for the unique theological resources within the NT writings
found in the Johannine traditions;
(2) To acquaint the student with the methods, tools and principles of critical
study of the New Testament,
particularly the methods, tools and principles
appropriate to the study of John, 1, 2 & 3 John, and Revelation; and
(3) To assist
the student in developing the hermeneutical skills required for responsible and
faithful pastoral
and homiletical use of the New Testament.
Required Texts:
D. Barr, Reading the Book of Revelation
R. Brown, Community of the Beloved Disciple
R. Culpepper, Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel
J. L. Martyn, History and Theology in the Fourth Gospel
A. Reinhartz, Befriending the Beloved Disciple
G. Gorenberg, The End of Days
L. Thompson, The Book of Revelation
Recommended Texts:
New Interpreter’s Study Bible (NRSV)
The SBL Handbook of Style (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1999).
Course Requirements:
(1) Consistent attendance and class participation;
(2) Two hours
of study outside of class for each hour of academic credit
(that is, six hours of study per week in addition to class time);
(3) A careful reading of assigned Biblical texts;
(4) A careful reading of assignments in the textbooks;
(5) A log of your class preparation (see details below);
(6) One 5-7 page critical review of Reinhartz’s book (see details below);
(7) One 10-15 page exegetical paper over a passage within the books of John, 1, 2 & 3 John, and Revelation;
(8) Three tests;
(9) Daily quizzes; and
(10) Two secondary reading reports (see below).
Secondary Reading Reports:
Each student should submit two secondary reading reports. The first report should include the bibliographical reference to three book reviews from scholarly journals with a one paragraph description of the information found in the review. This report should cover reviews of books which deal with the NT books covered in this class (i.e., John, 1, 2 & 3 John, and Revelation). This report should be pasted in an email message (NO attachments) and sent to plnubib403@yahoo.com. It is due Sept. 8.
The second report should include the bibliographical reference to three articles from scholarly journals (or book length collections of scholarly essays) and a one paragraph abstract of each article that was read. This report should cover articles which directly relate to the NT books covered in this class (i.e., John, 1, 2 & 3 John, and Revelation). You may consult Religious and Theological Abstracts or New Testament Abstracts for examples of this genre of writing. This report should be pasted in an email message (NO attachments) and sent to plnubib403@yahoo.com. It is due Sept. 22.
You can find appropriate reviews and expository articles in the following journals:
Currents in Biblical Research
Journal of Biblical Literature
New Testament Studies
Novum Testamentum
Review and Expositor
Zeitschrift fur Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft
Critical Review Paper:
This paper should be written in the style of a critical review in a scholarly publication. The paper should access the strengths and weaknesses of Reinhartz’s work in light of your understanding of John, John’s thought and human development. Your secondary reading report over book reviews should give you a sense of how to write an appropriate review. This review should be pasted in an email message (NO attachments) and sent to plnubib403@yahoo.com. It is due Oct. 28.
Major Exegetical Paper:
Your major exegetical papers will provide an interpretation of a passage from either John, 1, 2 & 3 John, or Revelation, investigating the major critical issues relevant to understanding the passage at hand. Your exegetical paper may take many different forms (you will gather ideas about how to structure your papers as you do reading for the course), but your paper should demonstrate a mature understanding of the passage at hand in light of your secondary reading.
A quality exegetical paper should have utilized one scholarly secondary source for each page of the paper (e.g., a ten page paper should have used ten quality secondary sources). The final printed draft of the paper (NO email or attachments) will be due on or before Dec. 2 (5:00 pm).
Log of Class Preparation:
Each student must maintain a log which records the student’s preparation for each class. The log should include the following information: the date on which preparation took place, the time that preparation began and ended, the biblical text or concept being studied, the resources used in the study, and a brief comment about the value of the various resources being used. The log should follow the format of the entry below.
Time: 9/19/99 (10:10am-1:15pm)
Text: Philippians 2:5-11
Resources: Jean-Francois Collange, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Philippians (London: Epworth, 1979).
J. Dunn, “Christology (NT),” Anchor Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992).
T. F. Glasson, “Two Notes on the Philippians Hymn (ii.6-11),” New Testament Studies 21 (1974): 133-39.
Gerald F. Hawthorne, Philippians, WBC (Waco: Word, 1983).
C. F. D. Moule, “Further Reflexions on Philippians 2:5-11,” Apostolic History and the Gospel (Exeter: Paternoster, 1970), 264-76.
Evaluation: I found Collange’s commentary to be extremely helpful in sorting through theological issues, but I was disappointed with Hawthorne’s commentary (it was too narrowly focused on Greek grammar). The article by Glasson was particularly helpful in dealing with the difficulties associated with 2:7 and Moule’s article provided important guidance on the pre-history of the text.
The log must be submitted at class time on the days of the tests. No log entry made after the time of the test will be given credit. The log records your preparation for class, not your reflection after class.
Daily Quizzes:
Both announced and unannounced quizzes will be given from time to time. Quizzes will cover that day’s assignment.
Late Work Policies:
All work is due by 5:00pm on the due date. Any work submitted after 5:00pm is late and will be penalized 15% per school day with no exceptions. Work that is more than 5 school days late will not be accepted under any circumstances.
I do not accept email attachments or computer discs. Email electronic assignments with the assignment in the text of the email message. Do not attach any assignment. Your final paper must be submitted in printed form. For the final research paper, no non-print work will be accepted.
No make-up quizzes will be given.
Under no circumstances will any work be accepted after the final exam.
Format Requirements:
All papers must be submitted in the documentation style of The SBL Handbook of Style. As ministers and professionals, you will need to write in a professional manner. Now is the time to master that skill. Logs and reading reports that diverge from this style will receive a “U” and be returned for reformatting (20% penalty). Final papers which diverge from this style will not be graded or given credit.
Attendance Policy:
As Christians and potential ministers of the Gospel, it is expected that you will want to be present for every class session. However, I will not take attendance. You should remember that quizzes will be given without advanced warning and quizzes cannot be made up.
Grading Scale:
A 97-100 A 94-96 A- 90-93
B+ 87-89 B 84-86 B- 80-83
C+ 77-79 C 74-76 C- 70-73
D 67-69 D 64-66 D- 60-63
F below 60
Under no circumstances will any work will be accepted after the final exam.
Grading Components:
Log 25%
Critical Review 10%
Secondary Reading Reports 10% (5% each)
Tests 20%
Quizzes 10%
Major Paper 25%
YOU’RE A PERSON:
If you miss no more than two classes, submit all of the required work and take all of the tests, I will learn your name. If you meet the above criteria and I do not learn your name, you will receive an “A” for the course.
Note Bene:
If you desire to earn an “A,” you need to complete all assignments. If you desire no higher than a “B,” you may omit the log (and be given 80% for computational purposes). If you desire no higher than a “C,” you may omit the log and critical reviews (and be given 70% for computational purposes). If you desire no higher than a “D,” you may omit the log, the critical review and secondary reading reports (and be given 60% for computational purposes).
Tentative Exam Schedule:
Test 1 Oct. 13 (over John)
Test 2 Nov. 17 (over John’s epistles)
Test 3 Finals Week (comprehensive)
7/24/07