Synoptic Gospels
BI 203
Professor Name and Title: Rev. Terance Espinoza, M.A., Ph.D. (ABD)
Professor’s Contact Information: teranceespinoza@gmail.com
Location / Branch: Craig College of Ministry
Semester / Year: Fall 2011
Mission Statement:
Central Bible College has been established for the purpose of training ministers and missionaries. Central
Bible College is an Assemblies of God institution of higher learning having a Bible-centered curriculum
designed to educate and train ministers, missionaries, and Christian workers to serve the Lord Jesus Christ
in and through the local church.
Course Description:
Matthew, Mark, Luke. The course emphasizes the person and work of Christ through a mastery of factual
content and structure of the books.
Course Objectives:
As a result of this course of study, the student should be able to:
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Demonstrate mastery of the information related to the background and content of the Synoptic
Gospels by answering key questions and learning certain key verses.
Identify the major historical events in the life of Jesus.
Identify and explain the distinctive characteristics and theological contributions of each Gospel
author.
Analyze specific pericopae by comparing and contrasting differences/similarities in the synoptic.
Understand the various explanations offered by scholars for these differences/similarities in
parallel passages.
Apply the contemporary relevance of Jesus' teachings to individual and corporate life in the church
today. The spiritual goal of studying the synoptic gospels is to allow God, through the Spirit, to
conform us to the image of his Son. When studying the gospels, we engage in spiritual formation by
studying, for the most part, the very teachings of the Christ himself.
Demonstrate literary, historical, and theological knowledge of the Gospels through quizzes,
examinations and a reflection paper.
Demonstrate an ability to do independent research.
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Required Textbooks:
1. Aland, Kurt, Synopsis of the Four Gospels: English Edition. New York: United Bible Society, 1982.
2. Dunn, James, The Evidence for Jesus. Louisville: Westminster Press, 1985.
3. Stein, Robert. Jesus the Messiah: A Survey of the Life of Christ. Downer’s Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
4. Theissen, Gerd, The Shadow of the Galilean. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007.
5. Selected articles and podcasts (see Course Schedule)
Course Outline:
Date

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
 Orientation/Course Introduction – read the syllabus
 Podcast Introduction
 Mark
 Synoptic Exercise 1
 Podcast Review 1
 Matthew
 Synoptic Exercise 2
 Podcast Review 2
 Discussion Week 4

 Synoptic Exercise 3
 Podcast Review 3
 Dunn, Evidence
 Synoptic Exercise 4
 Podcast Review 4
 Discussion Week 6
 Dunn, Evidence
 Synoptic Exercise 5
 Podcast Review 5
 Discussion Board
 Midterm Exam
 Discussion Week 8
 Theissen, Shadow
 Synoptic Exercise 6
 Podcast Review 6
 Theissen, Shadow
 Synoptic Exercise 7
 Podcast Review 7
 Discussion Week 10
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Topics/Assignments
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Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
 Stein, Jesus the Messiah
 Synoptic Exercise 8
 Podcast Review 8
 Stein, Jesus the Messiah
 Synoptic Exercise 9
 Podcast Review 9
 Discussion Week 12
 Stein, Jesus the Messiah
 Synoptic Exercise 10
 Podcast Review 10
 Stein, Jesus the Messiah
 Discussion Week 14
 Stein, Jesus the Messiah
 Discussion Week 15
 Final Exam
Methodology:
This class will incorporate lectures, video, class discussion, presentation, threaded discussions, group and
individual research, and writing.
Course Requirements:
1. Chapter Reviews: .30 points each, (x 9 = 270 total points)
a. Read the assigned pages and write a 2-page review according to the instructions on the
handout.
2. Synoptic Exercises: 25 points each (x 10 = 250 points total)
a. Compare and contrast the assigned passages according to the instructions on the handout.
3. Podcast Reviews: 15 points each (x 10 = 150 points total) + ( x 1, 10 point review) = 160 points
a. Listen to the assigned podcast and write a review according to the instructions on the
handout.
4. Discussion Threads: 10 points each (x 7 = 70 points)
a. For each assignment, reply to the discussion prompt, then go back and reply to a
colleagues’ response. You will earn 5 points for your initial reply, and then 5 more points
for your comments on a colleagues’ posting.
5. Midterm: 100 points
a. Write a sermon that follows the instructions on the handout.
6. Final: 150 points
You can choose to complete either a research paper or a project.
a. Research Paper: Write an 8-10 page research paper that discusses the “Kingdom of
God/Heaven” as it is portrayed in the Synoptic gospels, and compare this with how the
concept is portrayed in The Gospel of John and the Gospel of Thomas.
…or…
b. Special Project: Conceive and create a special project that is relevant to the content and
purpose(s) of the course (see syllabus, “Course Objectives”). The project may be of the
student's own choosing, but a written proposal describing the project’s nature and projected
outcomes must be submitted to and approved by the instructor by Week 10. Projects ideas
include:
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i. A visual art project that represents the similarities and differences among the Gospels.
The project must be accompanied by a 5-page (1500 word) paper that discusses the
symbolism of the work, and that demonstrates how the project fulfills the “Course
Objectives” listed in the syllabus.
ii. A script or screenplay based on the gospel/s (8 page / 1,760 word minimum). This must
be accompanied by a 2-page (600 word) paper that demonstrates how the project fulfills
the “Course Objectives” listed in the syllabus.
iii. A poem or short story that is based on or exemplifies the Synoptic gospels (John and
Thomas are optional). The poem should consist of at least 1,760 words, (equivalent to 10
words per line, 22 lines per page), accompanied by a 2-page (600 word) discussion of the
poem & how it fulfills the “Course Objectives listed in the syllabus.
iv. A series of children’s (illustrated) Bible stories & accompanying lessons based on material
in the gospels. This must be accompanied by a 2-page (600 word) paper that
demonstrates how the project fulfills the “Course Objectives” listed in the syllabus.
v. Curriculum for a short Bible Study program, based on the material in the Gospels. This
must be accompanied by a 2-page (600 word) paper that demonstrates how the project
fulfills the “Course Objectives” listed in the syllabus.
vi. A playlist (minimum 10 songs) of music that exemplifies each of the canonical gospels
and Thomas. The playlist needs to include the songs, song lyrics, and an 8-10 paper (not
including lyric sheets) that explains how each song exemplifies a gospel.
vii. Create a website that focuses on the Gospels and study of the Gospels. The site must
by accompanied by a 2-page (600 word) paper that demonstrates how the project
fulfills the “Course Objectives” listed in the syllabus.
This list is not exhaustive. You are encouraged to be creative in your choice of Special Project. All
projects must be well conceived; require serious investments of time, energy, and ingenuity; and
reflect high quality.
Grading Procedure:
Grades are determined according to the quality of student performance during the semester. Students
receive numerical scores on all exams and assignments, toward a total of 1,000 possible points for the
semester. Each score reflects the level of student performance in relation to the rest of the class and/or the
quality of work expected of students at this stage in college. Numerical scores are recorded and totaled at the
end of the semester to yield a percentage, on which the final letter grade is based.
93-100 A
90-92 A88-89 B+
83-87 B
80-82 B78-79 C+
73-77 C
70-72 C-
68-69 D+
63-67 D
60-62 D59 or below F
Late work will be accepted, but there will be a 10% deduction per week late. All assignments are due by
midnight of the day indicated in the “Course Schedule”. Exceptions will only be allowed in cases of
emergency, or if a student is involved in an officially sanctioned university activity. It is the student's
responsibility to seek out the instructor and explain any extenuating circumstances that result in work being
submitted late. No work will be accepted after the last scheduled class session of the semester
Selected Bibliography
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Bailey, Kenneth Ewing. Poet & Peasant: A Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1976.
Barton, Stephen C. “Mark as Narrative: The Story of the Anointing Woman (Mk 14:3-9).” The Expository
Times 102 (1991): 230-34.
Bauer, David R. The Structure of Matthew's Gospel: A Study in Literary Design. Sheffield: Almond, 1988.
Best, Ernest. Mark: The Gospel as Story. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1983.
Bivin, David and Roy Blizzard. Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny
Image, 1994.
Blomberg, Craig. Jesus and the Gospels: An Introductory Survey. 2nd edition. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2009
Blomberg, Craig. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels. Downers Grove, ILL: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
Camery-Hoggatt, Jerry. Irony in Mark’s Gospel: Text and Subtext. Society for New Testament Studies
Monograph Series, no. 72. Edited by G. N. Stanton. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
Cartlidge, David R., and David L. Dungan. Documents for the Study of the Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress,
1994.
Carson, D.A., Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris. An Introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids:
Zondervan, 1992.
Crossan, J. D. The Historical Jesus. The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant. The most famous Jesus book
of our time
Eddy, Paul Rhodes & Gregory A. Boyd. The Jesus Legend: A Case for the Historical Reliability of the Synoptic
Jesus Tradition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007
Edwards, James R. “Markan Sandwiches: The Significance of Interpolations in Markan Narratives.” Novum
Testamentum 31 (1989):193-216.
Evans, Craig A Jesus and His Contemporaries: Comparative Studies. Brill, 2001.
Evans, Craig A (ed). Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus. Routledge: Taylor & Francis, 2008.
Joseph A. Fitzmyer, "The Languages of Palestine in the First Century A.D." CBQ 32(1970)501-531.
France, R.T. “Matthew, Mark, and Luke.” In G.E. Ladd. A Theology of the New Testament. Revised Edition.
Grand Rapids: Eerdmans., 1993. [pp. 212-245]
Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. 3d rev. ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1990.
Harrison, Roland K., Bruce K. Waltke, Donald Guthrie, and Gordon D. Fee. Biblical Criticism: Historical, Literary
and Textual. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.
Haynes, Stephen R. and Steven L. McKenzie., eds. To Each Its Own Meaning: An Introduction to Biblical
Criticisms. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox, 1993.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. An Introduction to The New Testament. 3 vols. Chicago: Moody, 1975.
Keck, Leander E Who is Jesus? History in Perfect Tense. University of South Carolina Press, 2000.
Ladd, George Eldon. The New Testament and Criticism. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans., 1967.
Linnemann, Eta. Historical Criticism of the Bible: Methodology or Ideology? Trans. Robert W. Yarbrough.
Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990.
Linnemann, Eta. Is There a Synoptic Problem? Rethinking the Literary Dependence of the First Three Gospels.
Trans. Robert W. Yarbrough. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1992.
Marshall, I. Howard, ed. New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Principles and Methods. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans., 1977.
McKnight, Scot. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1988.
McGhee, Quentin. The Life & Teachings of Christ: student Manual, 4th ed. Springfield, MO: Resource and
Development Ministries, 2005.
Moore, Stephen D. Literary Criticism and the Gospels The Theoretical Challenge. New Haven, CT: Yale
University Press, 1989.
Powell, Mark Allan. What is Narrative Criticism? Guides to Biblical Scholarship. Edited by Dan O. Via, Jr.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990.
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Rhoads, David. “Narrative Criticism and the Gospel of Mark.” Journal for the American Academy of Religion
50 (1982): 411-34.
Rhoads, David and Donald Michie. Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel.
Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982.
Ryken, Leland. Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.
Ryken, Leland, ed. The New Testament in Literary Criticism. New York: Unger, 1984.
Ryken, Leland. “The Gospels.” Chapter 7 in How to Read the Bible as Literature . . . and Get More Out of It.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.
Shuler, Philip L. A Genre for the Gospels. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1982.
Soulen, Richard N. Handbook of Biblical Criticism. 2d ed. Louisville: John Knox, 1981.
Stein, Robert H. The Synoptic Problem: An Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.
Stein, Robert H. Studying the Synoptic Gospels: Origin and Interpretation. 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic, 2001.
Tannehill, Robert. C. The Sword of His Mouth: Forceful and Imaginative Language in the Synoptic Sayings.
Philadelphia: Fortress, 1975.
Wilder, Amos N. The Bible and the Literary Critic. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991.
Wilkins, Michael J. & J.P. Moreland. Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.
Witherington, Ben, III. The Jesus Quest. The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth. Downers Grove, Ill.:
InterVarsity Press, 1995
Commentaries
Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman, 1992.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. 2 Vols. Grand Rapids: Baker,
1994, 1996.
Carson, D.A. "Matthew" in The Expositors Bible Commentary. Volume 8. Edited by Frank Gaebelein. Grand
Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
Cranfield, C. E. B. The Gospel According to Saint Mark: An Introduction and Commentary. Cambridge: At the
University Press, 1972.
France, R.T. The Gospel of Mark. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2002.
Marshall, I. Howard. Commentary on Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. The New International Greek
Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978.
Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to St. Luke: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale New Testament
Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.
_____. The Gospel According to Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992.
Witherington, Ben, III. The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
Sermon on the Mount
Allison, Dale C, Jr. "The structure of the Sermon on the Mount." Journal of Biblical Literature 106
(September 1987):423-445.
Boice, James M. The Sermon on the Mount: An Exposition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Company,
1972.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Revised and unabridged edition. New York: 1937, 1959.
Brooks, James A. "The Unity and Structure of the Sermon on the Mount." Criswell Theological Review 6 (Fall
1992): 15-28.
Carson, D. A. The Sermon on the Mount: An Evangelical Exposition of Matthew 5--7. Grand Rapids: Baker,
1978.
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Friel, Billie. Citizens of the Kingdom: Interpreting The Sermon on the Mount for Daily Living. Nashville:
Broadman , 1992.
Guelich, Robert A. The Sermon on the Mount: A Foundation for Understanding. Waco, Texas: Word Books,
1982.
Pentecost, J. Dwight. The Sermon on the Mount: Contemporary Insights for a Christian Lifestyle. 2nd ed.
Portland: Multnomah, 1980.
Stott, John R. W. Christian Counter-Culture: The Message of the Sermon on the Mount. Downers Grove,
Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1978.
Jewish Backgrounds
Bivin, D. and Roy Blizzard. Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus. Austin: Center for Judaic-Christian
Studies, 1984.
Charlesworth, James H. The Princeton Theological Seminary dead Sea Scrolls Project. Louisville:
Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991.
Charlesworth, James H. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament: Prolegomena for the
Study of Christian Origins. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1985.
Cohen, S.J.D. From the Maccabees to the Mishnah. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1987.
Gowan, Donald E. Bridge Between The Testaments. Allison Park, Pennsylvania: Pickwick, 1986.
Neusner, Jacob. Judaism when Christianity Began: a survey of belief and practice. Louisville: Westminster
John Knox Press, 2002.
Nulman, Macy. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer: Ashkenazic and Sephardic Rites. Northvale, NJ: Jason
Aronson, 1993.
Russell, D.S. Between the Testaments. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989.
Safrai, Shmuel and Menachem Stern, eds. The Jewish People in the First Century. Historical Geography,
Political History, Social, Cultural, and Religious Life and Institutions. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1974.
Schurer, E. A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, revised by G. Vermes, F. Millar, and M.
Goodman, and M. Black. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1973-87.
Urbach, Efraim Elimelech, The Sages: their concepts and beliefs. Translated from the Hebrew by Israel
Abrahams. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1987.
Inclusion of a web site or book does not indicate agreement with everything contained therein.
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CBC’s online courses are designed to fit any schedule. There are no set meeting times for the online
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including regular, weekly study/course times.
Participation in an online course is tracked by logins. Students who do not sufficiently “show up” for class
will have difficulty completing the course and may be academically penalized. The professor is responsible
to track student participation and to designate satisfactory levels of participation.
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While discussion and collaboration is encouraged as part of course interaction, CBC students are expected
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be the original work of the individual student, unless an assignment is explicitly designated as a group
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conjunction with the professor, feel an alternative place for classroom testing is needed. The Writing and
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Additional Material / Addendums
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