Synoptic Gospels

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Synoptic Gospels

• Course Overview
• By Doug Chatham, Ph.D., D.Min.

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INTRODUCTION

• BASIC QUESTIONS
• What Portion of the Bible is Covered?
• What Does Synoptic Mean?
• What is the Advantage of Three Gospels?
• What is Their Literary Relationship?
• Who Were the Writers?
• What Were the Dates When Written?
• What Were Their Purposes?

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THE LIFE OF CHRIST

• Studied Through Three Witnesses
• Approached in Expository Survey
• Three Roughly Chronological Accounts
• Understanding Each Writers Purpose
• Seeking to Know Jesus Better
• Honoring Biblical Inerrancy

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Overview of Lessons Part 1

• From Matthew
• Birth and Credentials of Jesus as Christ
• Disciples in Training Confrontations
• Transfiguration Peters Confession
• Kingdom Teachings Triumphal Entry
• Arrests, Crucifixion Resurrection

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Overview of Lessons Part 2

• From Mark
• The Servant and His Kingdom
• The Servants Teachings
• and predictions of the Future
• The Servants Sufferings

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Overview of Lessons Part 3

• From Luke
• The Son of God Comes to Earth
• Compassion and Faith
• What Christians Do
• Things That Really Matter
• What About the Future?
• The Triumph of Gods Plan

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Writing Project Topics

• The Source Documents of the Canonical Synoptic
  Gospels
• The Origin and Purpose of the Gospel of Mark
• An Explanation of Apparent Contradictions in the
  Synoptic Gospels
• A Biographical Description of the Writers of the
  Synoptic Gospels

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Explanation of Topics Topic 1The Source
Documents of the Canonical Synoptic Gospels

• Discuss the earliest known manuscript copies of
  each of the Synoptic Gospels.
• Limit discussion to the discovery of the
  documents, their authenticity and how it was
  determined.

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Explanation of Topics Topic 2The Origin and
Purpose of the Gospel of Mark

• Discuss the Origin of Mark
• Give the background of its writer, his sources,
  his location and the date.
• Discuss the Purpose of Mark
• State his intended readers, his overall purpose
  and how that affected what was included and not
  included in the gospel.

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Explanation of Topics Topic 3An Explanation of
Apparent Contradictions in the Synoptic Gospels

• Identify some of the most often noted differences
  in the Synoptic accounts, showing where they are
  located.
• Select the three most controversial.
• Discuss how the problems have been resolved by
  various scholars.

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Explanation of Topics Topic 4A Biographical
Description of the Writers of the Synoptic Gospels

• Research the background of the writer of each of
  the Synoptic Gospels.
• Where possible, trace their life in scriptural
  accounts.
• Tell what is known in history or tradition about
  their later lives.

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Tips for Successful Project

• Start to work immediately
• Begin by studying TurabianTips handout
• Set aside adequate time for project
• Get an experienced student to proofread
• Plan to submit paper on the due date
• Note 5 Points are deducted for each week
  overdue. No paper accepted after deadline.

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Tips for Exams

• Give special attention to handouts.
• Take notes in class.
• Read the homework assignments
• In textbooks and in your Bible.
• Review previous exams.
• Study with a classmate.
• Exchange e-mails phone numbers

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Goals for Course

• Distinctions of the three Synoptics
• Timeframe and background of writing
• Geography, culture, biography
• Understanding of interdependence
• Develop reliability, honesty, self-discipline
• Develop research writing skills
• Better small group communication
• Working well in culturally mixed groups