Gospels
1. Know the three different life settings that scholars attempt
to decipher when studying the historical Jesus.
2. Be able to explain and illustrate the concept of the Two Ages.
3. Know the meaning of synoptic and be able to draw a diagram illustrating the 4-source theory of Synoptic Gospel composition.
4. Know when Cosby believes each of the Gospels was written.
Gospel of Mark
1. What evidence is there that Mark did not write a normal type of biography when he told his story of Jesus? that he often arranged the contents of his Gospel topically?
2. What characterizes Mark's writing style? What is the effect of this style?
3. What do the conflict stories reveal about why the scribes and Pharisees reject Jesus?
4. Why does Jesus judge the Pharisees and scribes unfit for the Kingdom of God? How does Jesus' approach to religion differ from theirs?
5. Why do Jesus' family members believe that he is crazy?
6. How does Mark portray Jesus' Apostles? Why?
7. What were Jesus' disciples' messianic expectations and understandings of discipleship, and how do these compare with Jesus' views of the same? When do they realize that Jesus is Messiah?
8. How does Jesus' understanding of greatness differ from that of his disciples? Use events surrounding the three Passion Predictions to illustrate.
9. On what basis did the Sanhedrin convict Jesus? What charge against him did they bring before Pilate?
10. What picture of Jesus emerges from the description of his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane and his words on the cross?
11. How does Mark conclude his Gospel? What evidence is there that the longer ending, Mark 16:9-20, is not authentic?
12. What kind of mistaken belief about discipleship did Mark apparently write to correct?
Gospel of Luke
1. What does Luke 1:1-4 reveal about the author of this Gospel and how he wrote it?
2. When did Herod the Great rule Judea, and what does the knowledge of the year he died contribute to our understanding of when Jesus was born?
3. Who are the main characters in Luke's birth narrative? On what main themes does the birth narrative focus? What can we learn from it about Jewish customs of naming children?
4. What does Psalm of Solomon 17 reveal about Pharisaic Messianic expectations, and how do its contents compare with Zecharia's and John the Baptist's expectations (1:68-75; 3:7-17)? with Jesus' disciples' expectations? (e.g., 24:21)
5. Know the dominant characteristics of Luke's portrait of Jesus, and be able to contrast it with Mark's portrait of Jesus. (Luke's redaction of the Garden prayer, words from the cross, etc.).
6. Be able to explain the theme of the Great Reversal in Luke and illustrate it with specific content from the Gospel. How does God's concern for the poor and outcast fit with this reversal theme?
7. Which people tend to be on Jesus' side and enter into the Kingdom of God in Luke, and how does this fit with the reversal theme?
8. Know why John the Baptist struggled with Jesus' identity as Messiah in Luke 7. (cf. Luke 3)
9. Be able to contrast the portrait of Jesus' Apostles in Luke with that presented in Mark. Why is Luke's portrait more positive? How does Luke redact Mark to produce this portrait?
10. What is the Travel Narrative in Luke, and where is it found?
11. Know why Jesus' death in Luke is more of a martyrdom (contrast with Mark's account).
Gospel of Matthew
1. Be able to contrast the birth narratives in Luke and Matthew, explaining the significance of the differences. (How does the emphasis of each birth account reflect what each Gospel emphasizes about Jesus' person and ministry?)
2. Know and be able to illustrate with examples Matthew's portrait of Jesus as the Authoritative Interpreter of the Law. Why does Matthew present this portrait of Jesus?
3. What portrait of Jesus' disciples does Matthew paint, and why is this closely tied with his portrait of Jesus? How does it compare with Mark's?
4. Know the distinctive structure of Matthew's Gospel: alternating narrative and discourse sections. Know how this structure fits with Matthew's portrait of Jesus.
5. How does Matthew regularly modify the stories he uses from Mark? Why?
Gospel of John
1. Know how John's Gospel differs from the Synoptics in the following:
his portrait of Jesus;
his chronology of Jesus' ministry;
the content of Jesus' teaching (especially in John
1-12);
Jesus' method of teaching;
and the date of the last supper and crucifixion.
2. Understand the descent/ascent motif in John and know why it is important in John's portrait of Jesus.
3. Know the theme of the two levels of communication in John wherein Jesus often speaks on a heavenly level and his listener(s) hear(s) on an earthly level. Be able to illustrate this theme with examples.
4. Know the major structural divisions of John's Gospel:
1-12 (Public Ministry);
13-17 (Farewell Discourse);
18-20 (Passion Narrative);
21 (Epilogue).
Also know the basic contents of each division and its significance
for the Gospel story.
5. What does John say about the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian community? What does the Spirit do? When does the Spirit come into the disciples in John? How does the Spirit's ministry compare with Jesus'?
6. What are miracles called in John, and of what significance are they?
7. Who is the Beloved Disciple, and of what significance is he for speculating on who wrote the Gospel of John?