Explore the life and context of Jesus of Nazareth in this engaging course. Understand his teachings and historical significance through essential biblical texts and discussions.
This course invites students to discover the life of Jesus not just as a religious figure but as a person in a historical context. By blending biblical texts with historical insights, students can grasp a fuller picture of who Jesus was in the 1st Century A.D.
A Walk Through the Life and Times of Jesus
In this course Simply Jesus, students will be immersed in the 1st Century A.D. context of the life, work, teachings, and actions of Jesus of Nazareth. The goal of the course is to look at the story of Jesus from the perspective of a historian. Too many times Jesus of Nazareth becomes interpreted as simply another 'religious figure' among many religious figures. But this so often eliminates the understanding of a man who lived in time and space at a critical time of history.
This course is meant for all audiences. No previous theological study is required or expected. In this way it is meant to give a basic understanding of Jesus as a figure in history primarily.
Prof. Wright will lecture on key biblical texts to walk the student through the different elements that constitute the story of Jesus. In addition, there will be quizzes and discussion questions to help the student think more intently about the material presented.
This course tries to focus on essential biblical texts and non-biblical historical material to embrace the larger story of a Jesus of history. This course is to be taken in tandem with the reading of Prof. Wright's book, Simply Jesus. In Simply Jesus, bestselling author and leading Bible scholar N.T. Wright summarizes 200 years of modern Biblical scholarship and models how Christians can best retell the story of Jesus today. In a style similar to C.S. Lewis’s popular works, Wright breaks down the barriers that prevent Christians from fully engaging with the story of Jesus.
We trust that the material and the dialogue with other students will be encouraging and enlightening for all.
Understand the story of Jesus, not as a 'religious figure', but as a person who lived, taught, and carried out his mission within a 1st Century context.
Explain the role of Jesus within his context and understand the difficulties and resistance to who he was and to what he said.
Understand some of the key biblical texts which speak of the life, teachings, and work of Jesus within the literary and cultural setting of his day
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4 Lectures
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David Seemuth has a Ph.D. from Marquette University in the field of Religious Studies with an emphasis on New Testament Theology. He has taught at the graduate level for over 30 years at numerous universities and seminaries. He also has 21 years of on-line teaching experience. His passion is to see that people not only understand the Scripture, but also...
N.T Wright received his BA, MA and D.Phil. from Oxford University. He taught New Testament at Cambridge, McGill and Oxford Universities 1978-1993. He was Dean of Lichfield, then Canon of Westminster, then Bishop of Durham (Church of England), 1994-2010. Prof. Wright is Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and is currently...
Jennifer Loop is currently a doctoral student at Durham University. She is the Director of Ministry Engagement for the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, and plays a critical role in the online education, both organizational and theological, by guiding the online student experience. Jennifer enjoys engaging with a virtual community of diverse students and learners to explore how theology, faith...
So thankful for this deep dive. For the Gospels being broken down in such an approachable form. Wonderful way to dig further into the Word of God and receive more understanding of the full context of scripture.
Yes. As usual there are always more relatable and deeper insights with each hearing of Mr. Wright’s presentations. And such enjoyable company! Thank you all for making this available.
This was a deep dive into the Gospels, with perhaps the greatest living NT scholar. I was challenged in my views of Jesus, seeing him in a new light.
It is has been very good for me. Though older, such things appeal to me--learning, reflecting, and research and though this course involves little directed research, it has been rewarding to dig in deeper via commentary and literary support.
Dr. Wright is taking me on a journey through the life and times of Jesus. I have made significant improvements in my articulation of Scripture just through litening to Dr. Wright read the Scriptures. My undersdtanding of the Kingdom Way and the command to make disciples never more relevant.
Andy Weeks
Great course to challenge your understanding, and gain a bit more knowledge on who Jesus was and the purposes he had in store for us.
Wow! Simply epic ! I have learned so much. Through out the course I have sensed a deeper level of intimacy through deeper understanding. Of the Historical Jesus! The real Jesus is bigger Than I know and bigger than I could have imagined.
It is a challenging course but I am enjoying the challenge. A lot of information to digest with great teaching by NT Wright! Enjoying the deeper learning of the scriptures and the meaning and context behind them!
In a sense, our life makes sense as we come to know Jesus - and Tom helps me to understand who Jesus is in the light of scripture. I have been reading scripture on and off all my life, and this course has helped me to see the connections more clearly than before. Thank you, Tom.
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David B. S.
N. T. Wright is good for high level big ideas of how to approach the topic. Not always easy to translate to the specifics.