The Gospel of John (Discussion I)

Please read Chapters 1-11 of John's gospel, concentrating on the first four chapters. Cite one thing John includes that *isn't* in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). 

What do you think is John's purpose in including the "extra" material?  How does what John says add to or clarifify the story of Jesus as told by the Synoptic writers?

The Synoptic Problem (extra credit)

Please take a look a this online Gospel synopsis here.  This site allows you to easily scroll through Matthew, Mark, or Luke and find the parallel passages in the other gospels.  If you clicking on the purple (Matthew), blue (Mark), or green (Luke) book icon beside the section heading, the appropriate column will automatically scroll to the parallel passage.

Read a portion of the Gospel of Mark and a parallel passage in the Gospel of Matthew, e.g., the "plucking the grain" story in Matthew 12:1-8 and Mark 2:23-28 or the "house divided" story in Matthew 12:25-27 and Mark 3:23-30.

As your "comment," note which version of the passage (if either) seems to you to be most likely the original version?  In this passage does it look like Matthew is dependent on Mark, the Mark is dependent on Matthew, or that the the two gospels are giving independent accounts?  Explain your thinking.  

Be not called Rabbi, Rabbi (extra credit)

The Bible in general and the gospels in particularly have strong warnings to those who consider themselves to be great teachers and examples. Look again at the warnings to the Pharisees in Matthew 23 and/or the implied criticisms of religious leaders in Luke 20. Pick out one warning you would particularly like *your* teachers/leaders/professors to pay attention to, and explain why that warning is particularly important.

Luke--Discussion II

Please read Chapter 13-24 of the Gospel of Luke. Look at the list of passages "special" to Luke, i.e., passages that occur in Luke's gospel only (Section VI of the outline here.). Choose one or two of these passages and speculate on why Luke chose to include this material while Matthew did not. If others have commented on this passage before you, say whether you agree with their suggestions or not.

The Gospel of Luke--Discussion 1

The Gospel of Luke has been called "the most beautiful book ever written," and it is, for many people, their favorite gospel.

Please read through my study questions on the Gospel of Luke (also attached to the syllabus for the sake of those who prefer hard copy).  Then read through the first twelve chapters of Luke's Gospel. 

For the blog entry here, please do *both* of the following:

1.  Pick out a verse or passage that you think particularly well shows why people find this gospel attractive and explain your choice of this particular passage.

2.  Choose one of the study guide questions and suggest an answer.

Please come to class ready to discuss in class the verse/passage you chose and to suggest an answer to at least one of the study guide questions.

The Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 14-28)

Please read the remaining chapters of the Gospel of Matthew (Ch. 15-28). Pay special attention to Chapters 21-23, chapters that particularly well show Jesus' challenge to the religion of the scribes and Pharisees. Choose a verse or summarize a passage that seems particularly important to you and explain why you choose this verse.  How does this verse/passage ties to the theme that Matthew is a "gospel for those who think they don't need the gospel"?

Please remember that, when it comes to the readings, quality reading will serve you better than quantity.  Concentrating on Chapters 21-23 is just fine if you don't have time for all 14 chapters.  

The Gospel of Matthew 5-7--One more time!

I may only managed  get through a few chapters of Matthew in our first session on the book.  If so, I'll spend next time continuing the discussion of the Matthew 1-14.  I'll talk more about Matthew's use of Jewish scripture, and then discuss the Sermon on the Mount.

Please reread Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount.  Cite here three verses from this sermon, one that you think would be particularly attractive to many of the Jews listening to the message, one that challenges (and might even offend) some people who are already religious, and one that is particularly attractive *or* a turn-off for you yourself.  Explain your choices.

The Gospel of Matthew (1-14)

Please read Chapters 1-14 of the Gospel of Matthew. Concentrate especially on Chapters 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount. Please pick a key verse from the assigned chapters and do one of the following:

1. Explain why you think this verse the key to understanding what the selection is about.

2. Explain why you think this verse is the best/most memorable in the assigned reading.

3. Explain why you think this verse is the most difficult/hard to understand in the assigned chapters.

4.  Reply to any other student comment on this post.   

Welcome!

Welcome to Early Church Keyline Blog 2023--the Official Blog of History 424, Early Church History. 

To get started, here's a test of the History 424 blog system. If you don't already have one, you might want to set up a Google/Blogger account. If you use a Google profile, it's easier for me to reply to your posts, something I occasionally do.  You also might want to make yourself a follower to this blog.

If you prefer, you can post as an anonymous blogger.  However, if you choose that option, you need to add your name to the bottom of the post so I know who to give credit to.

When you have created your blogger account and your profile, click the "comments" link below, and answer one (1) of the following questions:

1. Would you rather make comments on a blog, or write a term paper?
2. Which figure or book from the New Testament interests you the most, and why?
3. Why do you think the study of Early Church history is important--or not so important?

After you have done your own blog post, please reply to at least one other student's post.

Matthew's Use of Scripture (Extra Credit)

When Matthew quotes a brief passage from the Old Testament, he wants to call into his readers' minds a much broader context, sometimes the preceding 5-30 verses or, sometimes the subsequent 5-30 verses.

For extra credit, please look at a couple of the Matthew Old Testament references (the list below will give you a start), then look at the Old Testament context.below.  Comment on that context: what ideas does Matthew want to bring to his readers' attention?  In what ways are these ideas particularly important in Matthew's attempt to reach a Jewish audience?

• Matthew 2:17 citation of Jeremiah 31:15
• Matthew 1:23 citation of Isaiah 7:14
• Matthew 2: 6 citation of Micah 5:2
• Matt. 2:15 citation of Hosea 11:1
• Matt. 27:43 ref. to Psalm 22:8
• Matthew 4:4 citation of Deuteronomy 8:3
• Matthew 3:17 hint of Psalm 2:7
• Matthew 4:16 reference to Isaiah 42:7