Module THEO3631: The Historical Jesus

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO3631: The Historical Jesus

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to the key features Jesus research in historical context.
• To familiarize students with Early Christianity in the first century.
• To familiarize students with Essentials of the history of Palestine in the first century.
• To hone students’ skills in the close reading of and critical engagement with primary texts.
• To home students skills in assessing the critical interplay between biblical scholarship and systematic theology.
• To build on students’ prior knowledge of biblical exegesis acquired at levels 1 and 2.

Content

• The question what Jesus of Nazareth said and performed in the time before crucifixion is nowadays far more vivid in New Testament research than some decades ago. The so called third quest after the historical Jesus attracts evangelical as much as secular researchers, and it is not at least inspired by new insights (or insights pretending to be new?) concerning ancient Judaism which much more than in Bultmann’s times appear to make it possible to understand Jesus traditions in the historical context of Early Judaism. As a consequence, much more in the Jesus tradition is regarded as historical by many researchers nowadays than one could imagine in the older historical criticism. This course aims at defining, discussing and applying methods for a critical evaluation of sources both inside and outside the New Testament in order to reconstruct knowledge about the historical Jesus. New theories about the historical researchers will be taken in consideration and assessed critically along with the sources. The course can be visited both by students reading Greek and students not reading Greek. It will be accompanied by a translation course which will be offered to students reading Greek (one hour per week).

Learning Outcomes

• • Knowledge concerning methods of historical criticism • In-depth knowledge of theories concerning the historical Jesus. • In-depth knowledge about the historical milieu surrounding Early Christianity, especially in Palestine. • Understanding characteristics of Early Christianity in the first century.

• • Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate sources pertaining to the historical jesus (especially the Synoptic Gospels). • Ability to situate Jesus traditions in their historical context. • Ability to understand and critically evaluate contemporary scholarship on the historical Jesus. • Ability to evaluate extra biblical sources for the interpretation Jesus traditions. • Ability to recognise the theological agenda of biblical scholars and the exegetical presuppositions of discourses in systematic theology.

• • Skills in the acquisition and interpretation of information through close, nuanced reading of primary and secondary sources. • Skills in the structured presentation of information in written form. • Skills in the conducting of research. • Skills in thinking theologically and historically

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of the subject and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating information.
• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches.
• Formative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Summative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Examinations assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the structured presentation of information in written form under time constraints.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

<enter text as appropriate for the module>

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University