The Kingdom of God (and its related form Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew) is one of the key elements of the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Analysis focusses on it being either a prediction of a future established earthly Kingdom or a state already present in us all.

What the spec says: Outline – examine – analyse – (assess/argue) The Bible as inspired: literal, allegorical and moral senses of scripture, Modern scholarship on the value of scripture including Karl Barth on scripture as the ‘story of God’, Rudolf Bultmann on demythologising the text and an overview of the four main approaches to post-Enlightenment biblical interpretation of rational, historical, sociological and literary. The contexts, strengths and weaknesses of these positions and the significance of these models of interpretation for understanding the text today and its relevance for the modern world.

a) An examination of the different purposes of the Gospel and views of its authorship: Jesus as Christ, Son of God, life in his name, Spiritual Gospel, a Gospel to convert Jews and Gentiles, fulfilment of scripture. b) The strengths and weaknesses of these views based on the text and modern scholarship, and their significance for understanding the text for individuals and communities.

a) An examination of the different purposes of the Gospel and views of its authorship: Jesus as Christ, Son of God, life in his name, Spiritual Gospel, a Gospel to convert Jews and Gentiles, fulfilment of scripture. b) The strengths and weaknesses of these views based on the text and modern scholarship, and their significance for understanding the text for individuals and communities. With reference to the ideas of R Brown and C H Dodd.

The meaning and significance of the signs in the Fourth Gospel: Turning water into wine, the Healing of the Official’s son, the Healing at the pool, the Feeding of the 5000, Walking on water, the Healing of the blind man the Raising of Lazarus. Ideas about the identity and role of Jesus and the importance of these signs for understanding Jesus’ ministry. The implication for religious laws and codes for living of different understandings of the identity and message of Jesus. John 2:1–11, 4:43–54, 5:1–15, 6:1–24, 9:1–34, 11:1–57

● Outline and explanation of the reasons for religious and political conflict in the life and ministry of Jesus. ● Outline and explanation of other elements to Jesus’ challenge to Judaism and who was responsible for his death. A great resource which can be used as is or as a source of information.

Texts and interpretations – The Kingdom of God in Luke: parables of the kingdom and eschatology (5) The teaching of Jesus concerning the Kingdom of God, differing views on the arrival of the Kingdom, past, present and future. The meaning, theological significance and importance for early believers. With reference to the ideas of I H Marshall and E Schweitzer.

Outline and explanation of themes and religious significance of the crucifixion narrative especially for early believers. LO: Clarify meaning of terms LO: Explore the key symbolism in the crucifixion narratives Focus on Luke’s: Old Testament references, symbolism, fulfilment of scripture, God’s saving plan. The religious significance of the crucifixion narratives.

3.1 Interpreting the text The synoptic problem, source, form and redaction criticism – an examination of the relationship between the synoptic Gospels, including two source hypothesis (priority of Mark and ‘Q source’), the idea of proto-Gospels and the four-source hypothesis. Units of tradition and their type/form, the way texts appear to have been translated, edited and transmitted. The significance of this for understanding the texts. Outline and explanation of the synoptic problem and methods of textual criticism. Outline and explanation of the ways in which texts have been translated, edited and transmitted. Analyse the significance of this for understanding the texts.

3 Interpreting the text and issues of relationship, purpose and authorship 3.1 Interpreting the text - an examination of the relationship between the synoptic Gospels The synoptic problem source criticism - including two source hypothesis (priority of Mark and ‘Q source’), the idea of proto-Gospels and the four-source hypothesis. form criticism - units of tradition and their type/form redaction criticism - the way texts appear to have been translated, edited and transmitted. The significance of this for understanding the texts. Outline and explanation of the synoptic problem and methods of textual criticism. Outline and explanation of the ways in which texts have been translated, edited and transmitted. Understanding the significance of this for understanding the texts.

Outline and explanation of the synoptic problem and methods of textual criticism. Outline and explanation of the ways in which texts have been translated, edited and transmitted. Understanding the significance of this for understanding the texts.

Examining the meaning and significance of the ‘I am’ sayings of Jesus Analysing the background and context of these sayings including Old Testament references and symbolism and the importance of these for interpreting and understanding the Gospels. Assessing the implication for religious laws and codes for living of different understandings of the identity and message of Jesus.

3 Interpreting the text and issues of relationship, purpose and authorship 3.1 Interpreting the text - an examination of the relationship between the synoptic Gospels The synoptic problem source criticism - including two source hypothesis (priority of Mark and ‘Q source’), the idea of proto-Gospels and the four-source hypothesis. form criticism - units of tradition and their type/form redaction criticism - the way texts appear to have been translated, edited and transmitted. The significance of this for understanding the texts. Outline and explanation of the synoptic problem and methods of textual criticism. Outline and explanation of the ways in which texts have been translated, edited and transmitted. Analyse the significance of this for understanding the texts.

3 Interpreting the text and issues of relationship, purpose and authorship 3.1 Interpreting the text - an examination of the relationship between the synoptic Gospels The synoptic problem source criticism - including two source hypothesis (priority of Mark and ‘Q source’), the idea of proto-Gospels and the four-source hypothesis. form criticism - units of tradition and their type/form redaction criticism - the way texts appear to have been translated, edited and transmitted. The significance of this for understanding the texts. Outline and explanation of the synoptic problem and methods of textual criticism. Outline and explanation of the ways in which texts have been translated, edited and transmitted. Analysing the significance of this for understanding the texts.

2 Texts and the interpretations of the person of Jesus - a) The meaning and significance of the terms Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man