MJ514: Luke, Acts, & Judaism (4 units)

Mark S. Kinzer, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies
Mark Kinzer is deeply committed to the Messianic Jewish movement, with a special concern for education and theology. Mark currently serves as the executive director of Messianic Jewish Theological Institute as well the Shoresh Institute for the Study of Judaism and the New Testament. He has served as adjunct faculty at Fuller Seminary, Michigan State University, and University of Michigan. Mark also lends his expertise through board service, previously with Shema Yisrael and now as the chairman of the board of Hashivenu, Inc. Along with his work as teacher, Mark also serves as spiritual leader of Congregation Zera Avraham. He is the author of the recently published booklet, The Nature of Messianic Judaism: Judaism as Genus, Messianic as Species.
Winter 2002 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

Luke’s two-fold narrative sheds unique light on the early Yeshua movement and its relationship to the wider Jewish world. It presents this movement as centered in Jerusalem among Torah-observant Jews who are convinced that the Age to Come has dawned. Yet, the dynamic faith of the first followers of Yeshua leads to the emergence of a multi-national movement that brings the message of the God of Israel to all the peoples of the world. This course will look at (1) How Luke depicts the relationship between the Jewish followers of Yeshua, the wider people of Israel, and the new Gentile wing of the Messianic community; (2) How Luke portrays the role of Torah-observance within the movement; (3) Luke’s insight into the outworking of the Divine plan in human history and the significance within that plan of the nation of Israel, the land of Israel, and the city of Jerusalem; and (4) The place of Luke’s writings within the canon of the Apostolic Writings. The course will also note the ambiguities in Luke’s treatment of the Jewish people, and the consequent controversies among scholars over proper interpretation. The course will argue that Luke’s narrative expresses a theological vision that must be recaptured in the 21st century and expressed anew in the light of the intervening two thousand years of history if Messianic Judaism is to take its proper place within the wider Jewish world and in relation to the multi-national Christian church.

COURSE FORMAT:

Lecture and discussion. This course will meet as a one-week intensive.

REQUIRED READING:

Bauckham, Richard, ed. The Book of Acts in its First Century Setting. Volume 4: Palestinian Setting. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. (Chapters 1, 5, 9, 15)
Brawley, Robert L. Luke-Acts and the Jews. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1987.
Jervell, Jacob. The Unknown Paul. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1984. (available through Sigler Press 570-389-8223 / <siglerpr@sunlink.net>)
Stern, David H. Jewish New Testament. Clarksville, MD: JNTP, 1997. (Luke & Acts)
____________. Jewish New Testament Commentary. Clarksville, MD: JNTP, 1992. (Luke & Acts)
Tannehill, Robert C. The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts: A Literary Interpretation. Volume 1: The Gospel According to Luke. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986.
________________. The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts: A Literary Interpretation. Volume 2: The Acts of the Apostles. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990.
Tyson, Joseph, ed. Luke-Acts and the Jewish People. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1988. (available through Sigler Press)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Farmer, William, ed. Anti-Judaism and the Gospels. Harrisburg: Trinity, 1999. (Chapter 2)
Jervell, Jacob. Luke and the People of God. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1972.
Sanders, Jack T. The Jews in Luke-Acts. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987. (available through Sigler Press 570-389-8223 / <siglerpr@sunlink.net>)
Tyson, Joseph. Images of Judaism in Luke-Acts. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1992.
___________. Luke, Judaism, and the Scholars. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1999.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. 1200-1500 pages of reading.
2. A two- to-three page, double-spaced, typed (11-point type) book review for each required text.
3. Take-home exam.

PREREQUISITE:

None. Anyone who wishes to audit this course must register and pay audit fees through Messianic Jewish Theological Institute. Contact Dr. Mark Kinzer at <MKBenBen@cs.com>.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

Take-home exam.

Last Date Edited: April 12, 2001