The political, social and religious influences on the New Testament writings. Special attention is given to intertestamental Judaism and Hellenistic and Roman religion as background to New Testament Christianity.

Offered every odd-numbered year.

An historical-exegetical study of the life and letters of Paul, the relation between Acts and the Pauline epistles, early non-Pauline Gentile Christianity, Pauline theology, and its lasting impression on Christianity.

Offered spring semester every odd-numbered year.

Although primarily a study of what Jesus taught, attention is given to the literary and environmental background of his teaching, the historical life of the teacher, and the contemporary validity of what he taught.

Offered every odd-numbered year.

A study of the four New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). An examination of the genre of these writings, their historical contexts, theories about their formation, their primary themes, methods used for interpreting them, and signficant scholarly interpretations of these books.

Offered fall semester every even-numbered year.

Examines some critical issues and key themes associated with the Gospel of John, includes an extensive examination of the full text of the gospel with reference to several commentaries, and devotes some attention to the epistles of John.

Offered spring semester every even-numbered year.

Study of a particular book, theme, period, or method in the field of New Testament Studies/Early Christianity.

Not offered on a regular basis.

Students will read through selections from the Greek New Testament or Septuagint in Greek. While attention will be given to issues of interpretation, the course will focus on Greek translation, grammar, and syntax.

Offered every year.

A selection of Iconic female agents mainly in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, their characterization, their social worlds, and the use to which the writers put these, in the context of ancient literature.

Offered spring semester every even-numbered year.

The interaction of Jewish history and Western civilization, with emphasis upon the development of Jewish religion in the biblical, rabbinic, and modern periods.

Offered every even-numbered year.

Apocalyptic literature from its origins in the sixth and fifth centuries BCE down to its flourishing in Hellenistic and Roman times. Texts to be studied include Isaiah 24-27, 40-66, Zechariah 9-14, Joel, Malachi, Daniel, I Enoch, IV Ezra, Baruch, Qumran material, Mark 13 and the Book of Revelation. Questions bearing on contemporary theological significance will also be discussed.

Offered every even-numbered year.