Course Description

Why should I study the New Testament? In our modern American society, we see the effects of religiosity, both negative and positive, on our culture. But to begin to understand religiosity in mainstream America, we must begin with a critical study of Christianity at its foundations; the New Testament. This course is an introduction to the historical and theological reading of the various early documents of Christianity known as the “New Testament.” The New Testament writings, because they are so removed from our own time and because they are so frequently used by people as a basis of their religious life, are often misunderstood and misused. The course attempts to introduce you not only to the contents (“message”) of the literature but also to the “methods” by which the literature can be intelligently read and understood. The application of standard literary techniques frequently reveals themes and ideas that are at variance with traditional interpretations of the Bible, but also have the power to capture the imagination today in ways traditional views sometimes no longer do.

Specific attention will be paid to the legacies of two figures of enormous importance: Jesus Christ and Paul. We will also explore the phenomenon of the New Testament “canon,” while focusing on the content, contexts, and development of the New Testament. A portion of the course will also be devoted to becoming familiar with the critical methodologies used in the modern academic study of the Bible.