COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces the deep wisdom of recent biblical scholarship on the life and teachings of Jesus and the challenges it presents to believers today, and reimagines the Christian call to live as co-creators and empowered individuals within an egalitarian church community.
TEXT(S)
The core texts for this course are:
Borg, M. & Crossan, J. D. (2007). The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’ Birth. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Levine, A. J. (2014). Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi.
Borg, M. & Crossan, J. D. (2006). The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus’ Final Days in Jerusalem. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
COURSE FORMAT
This course is offered as an independent study or in a cohort model. Cohorts use a blog format (www.blogger.com) to foster an interactive learning community. Students post assignments and are encouraged to comment on each other’s posts.
ASSIGNMENTS
Students complete six reflection papers. Through the reflection papers, students demonstrate knowledge of theological scholarship about Jesus while applying this knowledge to a life in ministry.
