This book is a thoroughly revised and updated edition of Understanding the Jesus Movement in the Gospel Traditions. It is designed as a resource book for the current course on Synoptic Gospels in Bachelor of Divinity degree level studies under the Senate of Serampore College (University). While it is structured according to the syllabus of the course, the book aims to introduce the issues and current scholarly discussions on matters of Jesus and Synoptic Gospels research. Though the students are the main targets of the book, both the pastors and lay believers alike will find it helpful for understanding Jesus and the Gospels.

Contents

Foreword
Preface
Introduction

Part I: Reading Synoptic Gospels with Critical Tools and Perspectives

1. Genre of the Gospels
2. The Formation of the Synoptic Gospels
3. Reading the Synoptic Gospels with New Literary Tools

Part II: Socio-Political and Religio-Cultural Locations of the Jesus Movement

1. Political Conditions of First Century Palestine
2. Socio-Religious and Cultural Conditions of First Century Palestine
3. Economic Condition for First Century Palestine
4. Importance of Social History, Sociological and Cultural Studies in Understanding the Jesus Movement

Part III: Formative Factors of the Jesus Movement

1. Infancy Narratives
2. The Movement of John the Baptist
3. Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

Part IV: A. Teachings of Jesus and His Movement

1. Basileia Teachings of Jesus
2. Parabolic Teachings of Jesus
3. Discourses of Jesus
4. Disciples and Discipleship
5. Ekklesia Sayings of Jesus
6. The Prayers of Jesus

Part IV: B. Praxes of Jesus – Fore-Taste of the Basileia of God

1. Life Style of Jesus
2. Miracles of Jesus
3. Confrontations of Jesus
4. Formation of an Inclusive Community
5. Jesus and the New Temple Motif in the Synoptic Gospels

Part V: The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus

1. Formation of the Passion Narratives
2. Self-Giving Life of Jesus
3. Meaning of Suffering and Cross in the Synoptic Gospels
4. Formation of Resurrection Narratives
5. Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus

Part VI: Jesus of the Jesus Movement

1. Self-Understanding of Jesus
2. Gospel Writers’ Christological Interpretations of the Life and Death of Jesus
3. The Historical Jesus in Modern Scholarship

Part VII: Exegesis

Modular Exegesis from the Gospels

Selected Bibliography

Menjiwapong Jamir did his Doctor of Theology from Serampore University and is currently serving as Associate Professor and HoD of New Testament and Greek Studies at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam. Before joining ETC, he taught at Allahabad Bible Seminary for many years and was also a visiting faculty at Gospel and Plough Institute of Theology, SHUATS, Allahabad. He is married to Imnuksungla Lkr and they have two daughters, Lenyuna and Ngangtetso.