New Testament Exegesis I (Gospels and Acts)

Teacher(s)

Van Oyen Geert;

Language

French

Content

This course has grown out of the experience that students need a sound method to practise exegesis. We therefore focus on an issue that has preoccupied critical exegesis of the Gospels for 250 years: how should we understand the mutual relationship between the three Synoptic Gospels? This issue is known in New Testament biblical scholarship as 'the Synoptic problem'. The appropriate method is the historical-critical approach, but we will not add some insights from narratology.
We begin the course with two sessions in which we review the Synoptic problem and some answers. This is followed by “practical exercises” in which we apply the synoptic comparison in concrete terms using the Greek synopsis (and if necessary the French translation).
How do we proceed? Students will learn to search for bibliographies on the synoptic problem and on a particular pericope in the synoptic Gospels. They will also use a specific grid to look for differences and similarities between the synoptic Gospels. In this way, they learn to discover the individuality of each evangelist in terms of style, editing, theology and narrative.

Teaching methods

Some parts will take the form of lectures, while others will be based on student presentations. There is always an element of dialogue and collaboration in each session. We will do the exegesis “together”.

Evaluation methods

The course assessment consists of several components:
- summarising and presenting research on articles to be read, focusing on a concrete exegesis of the comparison of pericopes from the triple tradition in the Synoptic Gospels (40%)
- active participation in face-to-face sessions (10%)
- oral examination based on a final assignment on a pericope from the triple tradition (see content) (50%)

Online resources

Some scanned articles will be available on Moodle.

Faculty or entity

> TEBI