contents

"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work." -2 Tim 3:16-17

preface to biblical studies
Outline: How do we learn about the Bible? How are we influenced by our culture/media to conceive of the Bible and religion? What assumptions must we set aside in order to give the Bible a fair hearing?

what is the bible?
Outline: Basic questions about the Bible are answered. Differences between Catholic & Protestant Bibles. Brief discussion of different translations.

jewish history overview
Outline: Very brief summaries of Jewish history, divided into twelve periods, going from the Prehistory of Israel to the Roman Era.

old testament

the old testament
Outline: A general introduction to the development and content of the Old Testament, with an emphasis on its interpretation during the First Century, AD.

ancient judaism
Outline: An overview of Jewish History leading up to the Roman occupation in the First Century, BC. Emphasis is placed on the Hellenization of Palestine after the conquest of Alexander the Great.

the torah
Outline: An examination of the first five books of the Old Testament. Key themes and archetypal figures such as Adam and Moses are discussed, along with a look at the Mosaic Law.

genesis: the primeval history
Outline: overview of the primeval history (incl. 2 creation stories, first family, Babel, and flood narrative), and comparison to other ancient near eastern mythology.

the former prophets
Outline: The "Deuteronomistic History," the salvation cycle, and Israel's changing attitude towards the nature and purpose of suffering are all discussed. Archetypes such as Joshua, Elijah, and David are considered.

the latter prophets
Outline: Discusses the relationship between the Deuteronomist's portrayal of history in the Former Prophets, and the attitude of the Latter Prophets towards Israel's sinfulness. Individual prophecies with relevance to the New Testament are noted.

the writings
Outline: The later "wisdom" writings, and the apocalyptic book of Daniel are discussed. Again, the focus is on changing ideas of the meaning of suffering, and on the personification of wisdom. The "Logos" and the "Son of Man" are considered.

first century judaism

hellenism & judaism
Outline: A closer look at the influence of Hellenism during the Greek and Roman periods. Key texts such as Plato's "Republic" (specifically, the Allegory of the Cave) are considered, as are instances of Hellenistic influence in the Old and New Testaments.

palestine in the first century
Outline: The social and political climate of Palestine at the time of Jesus' ministry. Messianic figures before and after Jesus are discussed, along with key issues such as social banditry and Roman taxation. Honor and shame, patronage, and ritual purity are defined.

flavius josephus
Outline: A look at the life and writings of Josephus, and a discussion of the authenticity of the "Testimonium Flavianum"- and what is tells us about the transmission and integrity of ancient texts.

the new testament

biblical criticism
Outline: Summary of the major types of Biblical Criticism: Historical, Form, Narrative, Sociological, Redaction. Summary of the various Criteria of Authenticity.

paul of tarsus
Outline: Paul's life, based on his letters and Acts of the Apostles. The significance of Paul's mission to the gentiles on the formation of early Christianity.

the letters of paul
Outline: Key themes and features of the letters considered by a clear majority of scholars to have probably been written by Paul himself: 1 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, Romans.

paul's worldview
Essay: A brief summary of Paul's thought world, with definitions of key Pauline terms and an explanation of their interrelationship.

the gospels
Outline: Introductory information on the gospel genre, comparing it to Greco-Roman (or ancient) biographies. Discussion of the meaning of "gospel."

the gospel of mark
Outline: Key themes and characteristics of the gospel thought to be first-written among those in the New Testament. Emphasis is placed on Mark's narrative as the earliest source of information about Jesus as a historical figure.

the synoptic problem
Outline: Basic overview of the intricacies of determining the literary relationship between the synoptics: Mark, Matthew, and Luke. Marcan priority and the Four (Two) Source Theory are explained.

the gospel of matthew
Outline: Key themes and characteristics of the gospel most used and revered by the early church, and given pride of place in the canon. Discussion of Matthew's portrayal of Judaism, and its subsequent impact on Christian-Jewish relations.

the gospel of luke
Outline: Key themes and characteristics of the gospel most concerned with historical accuracy. Discussion of Luke's unique eschatology and how this influences his portrayal of Jesus.

acts of the apostles
Outline: Acts is considered as sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Parallel themes between the two books, Acts' portrayal of Paul and of early Christianity are discussed.

the gospel of john
Outline: Key themes and characteristics of the "spiritual" or "maverick" gospel. John's Christology and value as a source of historical information about Jesus are considered.

the historical jesus
Outline: Brief overview of the "quest" for the Jesus of history. Albert Schweitzer's admonition and the current popularity of the Jesus Seminar are discussed.

the deutero-pauline letters
Outline: Pseudonymity in ancient writing is explained. Key themes of the disputed letters of Paul: 2 Thessalonians, Colossians, Ephesians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus.

the catholic epistles
Outline: Key themes of the later New Testament letters. Discussion of Early Church Christological controversies and the development of new leadership models as a response.

the revelation to john
Outline: Revelation as Apocalyptic literature, how this affects its interpretation, and the perils of misinterpretation. A bit on Revelation's interpretation through history.

the early church

the apostolic fathers
Outline: Introduction to the writings of the Early Church Fathers as a source of information about early Christianity and the development of orthodoxy. Persecution and martyrdom are discussed.

early church history
Outline: Key events and personalities in the early church, up to canonization of the New Testament in 369 AD. Early Christian "heresies" and varieties.

eusebius of caesaria
Outline: Introduction to the "Ecclesiastical History" of Eusebius as a valuable source of information about the history of the early church and the canonization process.

the council of nicaea
Outline: The creed as the definitive articulation of faith, and as response to various early Christian heresies such as Gnosticism and Arianism.

augustine of hippo
Outline: Augustine's "City of God" and Plato's "Republic" are briefly compared. Christianity at the defeat of Rome.

pelagius & the pelagian controversy
Essay: A topic of particular personal interest. This essay serves as a brief introduction to Pelagius, and explores an early church debate over the nature of sin.

on from here...
Outline: A "sacramental" approach to the experience of religion in the (post)modern world. Finding relevance in the Biblical text. Conclusion.