B7295 – Greek Reader of NT/Patristics

Unit Weighting              

9 cps

Type of Unit              

Specialised

Prerequisites

18 Credit Points of Greek, or equivalent

Academic Staff            

Seumas Macdonald; Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy); Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours); Bachelor of Divinity (Honours) at Moore College; MTh; PhD.

Curriculum Objectives

This course unit aims to introduce students to the reading and interpretation of the Gospel of Matthew in Greek, in conversation with the Patristic interpretative tradition in Greek, and in English translation.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1) Exegete sections of the text of the gospel of Matthew
2) Develop skills of exegetical method.
3) Appreciate the patristic interpretive tradition in relation to the Synoptic gospels.
4) Articulate the major motifs, themes, and theology of the gospel of Matthew.
5) Express the implications of patristic interpretations of Matthew for contemporary Christian living.

Content

1) Reading of selected excerpts of Matthew, in Greek and in English
2) Reading of selected patristic commentaries, in Greek and English
3) Introduction to the patristic interpretive tradition
4) Use of exegetical commentaries on selected Greek texts
5) Workshopping of exegetical skills on biblical and patristic texts.

Weekly Schedule

Week 1 Introduction to Matthew, critical issues; introducing the Patristic interpretive tradition; the infancy narrative
Week 2 The structure of Matthew; major theological motifs. The beginnings of Jesus’ ministry.
Week 3 Jesus as Teacher; Matthew’s reception in the 2nd century
Week 4 Matthew’s use of the OT; Origen and the Alexandrian tradition
Week 5 Sermon on the Mount;
Week 6 Parables and Preaching; Chrysostom and the Antiochene tradition
Week 7 Healing and miracles in Matthew and the early church;
Week 8 Ecclesiology and Discipleship in Matthew; Matthew in the Western tradition
Week 9 Prayer
Week 10 Judgment and Eschatology in Matthew’s gospel; Matthew in the far east.
Week 11 Passion and Resurrection; the Passion in patristic perspective
Week 12 Theological retrospective