After introducing the communal-contextual exegetical approach to Gospels that counters standard and problematic interpretations of Jesus, we will dedicate ourselves to an extensive comparison and contrast of how Mark and Luke tailor their retellings of the Jesus story in a way that addresses the pastoral needs or their respective communities, especially in light of how each community’s demographic make-up and social location is impacted by its relationship to the Roman Empire of the day. The aim of this course is homiletical and pastoral, and affords students the opportunity to analogize from the original Gospel communities and their concerns to our present communal contexts and issues, especially as it relates to how Christian communities ought to relate to the “polis.”

Instructor: Prof. Greg Zuschlag, MDiv., PhD, JD

Day/Time: Thursdays, 5:00p-6:15p CDT

Dates: September 12-November 14