Johannine Literature
The John Leland Center
Spring 2010
Bonsack Baptist Church

 Instructor: J. Scot Finley, M.Div.

 Church: 540.977.5701 x223
Home: 540.977.6287
Cell: 540.520.1510

 Email: scot@bonsackbaptist.org  

Course Description: This course will seek to develop the student’s exegetical and theological skills in reading the Johannine literature. The biblical texts that will be examined include the Gospel of John, The Johannine Epistles, and the Revelation of John.

Purpose of Course: The purpose of this course is to master the context of the Johannine literature and to have the tools to be able to be read and interpret these texts. Three very different literary genres are represented by the Johannine texts: gospel, epistle, and apocalypse. Attention will be given to the tools and skills that are needed for reading each of these different genres. Students should be able to reflect and think theologically about each of these texts.

Goals of the Course:

• To become familiar with the content of Johannine literature.
• To be exposed to the major historical approaches to reading the Gospel of John, and Revelation.
• To become acquainted with the three literary genres of gospel, epistle, and apocalypse.
• To become familiar with the issues and tools which are needed for interpreting each of the literary genres.
• To have an understanding of the historical, linguistic, political, and social contexts of the various Johannine writings.
• To develop skills in critical and theological thinking.
• To work collaboratively to produce a multi-media presentation useful to the students and others in teaching this material to a wider audience.

Textbooks for Gospel and Epistles of John:

R. Alan Culpepper, The Gospel and Letters of John, Abingdon Press, 1998.

Textbooks for Revelation:

Richard Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation, Cambridge University Press, 1993.

NIV translation of the Bible

Course Requirements and Assignments

• Read all biblical texts relative to Johannine Literature (Gospel, Johannine epistles, Revelation).
• Read both textbooks in their entirety.
• Participate in class discussions.
• Take daily multiple choice/short answer tests on the previous week’s assigned reading.
• Contribute to an in-depth, multi-media presentation on the Johannine Literature.

Attendance

Attendance requirements are those outlined in the Leland Center Student Handbook. Students may not miss more than three (3) days per semester unless there are mitigating circumstances. Regardless of the circumstances, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain assignments and make up any work missed. Class attendance and participation will be graded on a pass/fail basis and will be included in determining a student’s final grade.

Evaluation

Attendance and participation will account for 10% of the final grade

There will be approximately 14 daily quizzes/tests covering that week’s assigned reading. These will be multiple choice or short answer. The student is allowed to “drop” the lowest two grades. The average of theses quizzes will count for 50% of the final grade.

Project. 40% of the final grade will be derived from the student’s contributions toward a class project to produce a multi-media (PowerPoint) presentation containing exegetical notes, supporting artwork, music etc. that would be useful for the students in presenting the material they learn in this class to a wider audience. The goal is to also make this presentation available to area ministers for use in their congregations.