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E19: In Search of the Historical Jesus

The Great Courses Presents: Understanding The New Testament | Lectures

Trace the development of biblical scholarship and research after the Renaissance and Enlightenment, when scholars began to think critically about the man named Jesus.

Speakers:David Brakke

Topics:New Testament Great Courses Historical Jesus

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Lectures

The Paradox of the New Testament

In this opening episode, see how historians view the New Testament and why they are excited by its diversity of voices.

David Brakke | 505 views | 3 years ago updated

The Jewish Origins of Christian Faith

Explore key stories and themes of the Old Testament (including God's covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David, as well as Jewish eschatology) to understand the ...

David Brakke | 242 views | 3 years ago updated

1 Thessalonians and Paul's Ministry

In this first episode on Paul's epistles, reflect on the chronologically earliest book of the New Testament, examine the structure of a Pauline letter, and unco...

David Brakke | 200 views | 3 years ago updated

The Salvation of Gentiles in Galatians

Continue your study of Paul's epistles with a detailed look at his letter to the Galatians. Find out why he believed it was so important to establish faith in J...

David Brakke | 153 views | 3 years ago updated

Romans on God, Faith, and Israel

Paul's letter to the Romans is his theological masterpiece. Unpack the key message of his theology: namely, that one is made righteous solely through faith in J...

David Brakke | 185 views | 3 years ago updated

Community Conflicts in 1-2 Corinthians

How did Paul reconcile diversity with religious unity? In this first of two episodes about Paul's letters to the Corinthians, consider tensions inherent to Chri...

David Brakke | 133 views | 3 years ago updated

Worship and Leaders in Paul's Congregations

How did early Christian believers worship? Who were the church leaders? What were the roles for men and women? Find out what Paul's letters tell us about the ea...

David Brakke | 97 views | 3 years ago updated

Paul's Theology on Slavery and Christ

In this episode, gain insight into Paul's views around imprisonment, as well as his ideas about Christ's humanity and divinity.

David Brakke | 92 views | 3 years ago updated

Adapting Paul's Teachings to New Situations

Examine how Paul's letters seek to reassure readers that events must occur before the end times arrive, and that faith in Christ is all that is necessary for sa...

David Brakke | 91 views | 3 years ago updated

Jesus as the Suffering Son of Man in Mark

After reviewing what historians know about the Gospel According to Mark, Professor Brakke surveys the time of Jesus' ministry and death, and explicates key them...

David Brakke | 108 views | 3 years ago updated

Jesus as the New Moses in Matthew

Whereas Jesus in Mark is a mysterious figure, Matthew emphasizes Jesus' divinity. In this episode, compare the two gospels and what scholars believe about their...

David Brakke | 99 views | 3 years ago updated

The Church in the Gospel of Matthew

Here, continue your study of the Gospel of Matthew, which gives us the only mention of the word "church" in all of the four gospels.

David Brakke | 86 views | 3 years ago updated

Luke and Acts on God's History of Salvation

Consider the two-volume Luke-Acts as a historical work. Who were Luke's sources? What story does he want to tell? How and why does his story unfold?

David Brakke | 80 views | 3 years ago updated

Luke's Inclusive Message

Encounter a truly inclusive vision for Christianity in the grand narrative of the books Luke through Acts, which spans 60 years and presents a unified narrative...

David Brakke | 50 views | 3 years ago updated

The Apostles and Church in Luke and Acts

Unpack Luke's vision of early Christian history and consider what message he is sending to his readers. Compare that message to the earlier "Gospel according to...

David Brakke | 67 views | 3 years ago updated

Jesus as the Divine Word in John

In this episode, discover what makes the "Gospel according to John" an anomaly, set apart from the New Testament's three "Synoptic Gospels."

David Brakke | 55 views | 3 years ago updated

Jesus and the Jews in the Gospel of John

In addition to its spiritual philosophy, the Gospel of John also contains troubling rhetoric around Jews and Judaism. Investigate the reasons behind John's depi...

David Brakke | 44 views | 3 years ago updated

The Community of John after the Gospel

Disagreements over theology were common, and the letters of John tackle these problems head-on. Here, delve into early efforts to unify a fractured church.

David Brakke | 41 views | 3 years ago updated

In Search of the Historical Jesus

Trace the development of biblical scholarship and research after the Renaissance and Enlightenment, when scholars began to think critically about the man named ...

David Brakke | 67 views | 3 years ago updated

Interpreting Abraham in Hebrews and James

You might think of Abraham as belonging to the Old Testament, but investigate the mighty (and controversial) role he plays in the writings of the New Testament....

David Brakke | 35 views | 3 years ago updated

Churches in Crisis in 1-2 Peter and Jude

In this episode, see what the most recent books of the New Testament (1-2 Peter and Jude) tell us about a mature and growing religious movement.

David Brakke | 58 views | 3 years ago updated

New Leaders in the Pastoral Epistles

See how Paul's first and second letters to Timothy and the letter to Titus form a special group of epistles because they were written not to congregations but t...

David Brakke | 36 views | 3 years ago updated

Revelation: Envisioning God's Reality

In this episode, Professor Brakke outlines why the Romans persecuted the Christians before turning to the fascinating and challenging content of Christ's revela...

David Brakke | 43 views | 3 years ago updated

The Quest for Unity in the New Testament

Revisit the paradox between the New Testament's diversity and unity, and see how theologians and scholars over the years have tackled this paradox.

David Brakke | 43 views | 3 years ago updated

Previews

Understanding The New Testament Promo

The New Testament is a fascinating book—the canonical root of Christian history and theology. Yet the book is also a paradox, because this single "book" is co...

David Brakke | 189 views | 3 years ago updated