The New Testament is the most significant collection of writings from the ancient world. This collection of books has been regarded as the Church’s Scriptures since the first centuries of her existence, providing for the Church her primary witness to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. They did not fall into the Church’s lap, ready-made and leather-bound into a single book. Rather, they were written by a variety of authors in a variety of places throughout the first and early second centuries. They have different theological perspectives and emphases. This course will be a guide to recognizing and analyzing these books both individually, so as to respect their distinct theological voices, as well as a canon of Scripture read by the Church.
Unit 1: The Greco-Roman and Jewish Backgrounds to the New Testament
Unit 2: The Gospels
Unit 5: Other Letters
Unit 6: Canon and Interpretation
4 to 6 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.
A certificate of completion awarding 35 contact hours will be sent upon completion of all course requirements.
At the McGrath Institute for Church Life, Josh works primarily on developing curriculum for STEP courses. In addition to this, he teaches in the Theology program at Holy Cross College.
Josh is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He graduated from East Carolina University with a B.A. in Classics and Religion. He holds an M.A. in Early Christian Studies and a Ph.D in the History of Christianity from the University of Notre Dame. His dissertation, titled, “Nestorius Latinus: The Latin Reception and Critique of Nestorius of Constantinople” explores how Latin theologians from the 5th to 8th centuries understood and critiqued Nestorius. His research focuses principally on early and Medieval Christianity.
Josh lives in South Bend, Indiana. He enjoys learning languages, reading, brewing beer, roasting and drinking coffee, and cycling.
