Historical Jesus

Part A: Understanding history and historical method
1. What is history? (Philosophy of history, nature of evidence, is it objective?)
2. History of research
3. Graeco-Roman and Jewish sources
4. Canonical and Gnostic Christian sources on Jesus
5. Methods for studying Jesus (criteria for assessing data)
Part B: Examining the evidence of Jesus’ life, ministry and impact
6. Galilee and beginnings of Jesus’ ministry
7. Jesus, the Kingdom of God and the hopes of Israel
8. Jesus’s teaching in parables, prophecy, law and ethics
9. Mentors, competitors and companions of Jesus companions of Jesus ((John the Baptist, Pharisees, women, the twelve, sinners, etc.)
10. Healings and Exorcisms in their Ancient Context
11. Death: causes and interpretation
12. Resurrection & origins of Christ devotion

This unit expects 150 hours of work from you in total, or around 10-12 hours each week over the semester. This volume of learning includes working through the learning materials and required learning tasks, additional reading and self-directed study, and working on assessment items, and for online units this includes participation in any online forums.

NT049 is available at level 9 as NT206-912: Specialised Studies in New Testament – Historical Jesus which is a Category C (advanced unit).

Please note that this unit does not count towards Set Book course requirements.