Introduction to Christian Scriptures

This online synchronous course is a survey of Christian Scriptures. Students will learn about the historical, cultural, and literary context of the texts which are traditionally referred to as the New Testament. Basic principles of biblical interpretation as well as issues related to reception history in a variety of historical and religious contexts will be discussed. There is no single “correct” interpretation or reading of Christian Scriptures. There are interpretations that have become dominant over time or in certain communities, but the Bible has meant different things to different people across time and geographical location. This course will engage with the Synoptic Gospels, Johannine literature, Pauline and deutero-Pauline Epistles, Revelation as well as the Apocrypha and an assortment of pseudepigraphal texts with an emphasis on their contexts and how they relate to one another. In addition, feminist, postcolonial, and queer methodologies will be introduced in order to equip students to confront passages that have been interpreted in such a way that justifies violence as divinely sanctioned with liberating counter-oppressive readings. By surveying a wide range of questions, interpretations, and approaches, students will discover the diversity of traditions that have sprung forth from Christian Scriptures.

This course falls primarily within the following SKSM Thresholds: 2) Prophetic Witness & Work 3) Sacred Text and Interpretation and 4) History of Dissenting Traditions and Thea/ological Quest.

Students will be expected to read the assigned sections from The Jewish Annotated New Testament 2nd ed. as well as additional readings and to participate in class discussions.

There will be short reading reflections (2-3 paragraphs) assigned regularly and submitted through Populi. There are also two required papers (5-7 p) for the course.

For MDiv and MASC students.
Enrollment max: 20. Auditors excluded.