The Gospel of John: The
Book of Signs
Created by Rev. Jerome Neyrey, S.J., this
course invites students to join a process in which we will
read each of the first 12 chapters of John in sequence.
By "read" we mean: 1. attending to the typical literary
forms in which events are cast (miracle story, trial, call
narrative, encomium), 2. learning the themes and "buzzwords"
favored in the gospel ("my hour," "true," "remain," "love"),
3. appreciating the symbolic and representative nature of
the dramatis personae, 4. becoming aware of the
awesome hostility that emerges as the Jesus group separates
from the synagogue, 5. noting how the acclamation of Jesus
develops over time and is influenced by the historical events
experienced by the Jesus group. All of this is typical biblical
criticism, to which we will add materials from the world
of sociology and cultural anthropology because we want to
understand Jesus and John as the Mediterranean peasants
they were.
Note: this course may be taken independently
of the STEP course "The Gospel of John: The Book of Glory".
Either course may be taken and profitably enjoyed independently
of the other. No prior study of the Gospel of John is required
for either.
Unit 1: John 1-2
Unit 2: John 3-4
Unit 3: John 5-6
Unit 4: John 7-8
Unit 5: John 9-10
Unit 6: John 11-12
- Created by Notre Dame Theology
Professor.
- Seven weeks in duration, with one week
for orientation.
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- All lecture text available online in
text format.
- Supplemental readings are provided
to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links
provided for all readings.
- Weekly written assignments (150-200
words) required.
- Weekly facilitator-moderated chat session
with students in course.
- All course materials available online
in the course.
Requirements for course include:
- Weekly reading of assigned chapters
from the Gospel and accompanying notes (study guide.)
- Participation in class discussion using
discussion area (minimum 2 comments, questions or responses
weekly.)
- Weekly written assignment (150-200
words.)
- Course evaluation.
- 4 to 6 hours a week (time varies from
student to student depending on your learning style and
schedule.)
A Certificate of Completion awarding 30
Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all course
requirements.
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Within New Testament
studies, Rev. Neyrey claims competence in Greco-Roman
philosophy, rhetoric and study of the progymnasmata.
His scholarship includes two books each on Matthew
and Luke and Paul, and a book on John. He authored
the Anchor Bible commentary 2 Peter, Jude.
His research articles have touched on all the gospels,
most of Paul's letters, Hebrews, and topics such as
miracles and prayer. Rev. Neyrey's current research
project is God, In Other Words: Cultural Interpretation
of the Christian Deity. His main scholarly effort
has long been on the use of social science models
and concepts for the interpretation of biblical documents.
This enterprise has been captured in his recent book
on Matthew, Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew,
and the book he co-authored with Bruce Malina on Paul,
Portraits of Paul, An Archaeology of Ancient Personality.
He currently sits on four editorial boards for journals
with a New Testament focus.
B.A., 1963, and M.A., 1964, Saint
Louis University; M.Div., 1970, and M.T.H., 1972,
Regis College, Toronto; Ph.D., 1977, Yale University |
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