Can We Write a History
of Jesus?
Many TV shows and documentaries have tried
to provide a window into the life of Jesus of Nazareth from
a strictly historical perspective. These shows often present
the Jesus of the Gospels (or the Jesus of faith) as less
real or verifiable. In this course, renowned biblical scholar
Rev. Jerome Murphy-O'Connor provides a compelling and accessible
lecture about the optimistic developments in biblical scholarship
with respect to the historical Jesus. After providing a
brief history of biblical theology, Rev. Murphy-O'Connor
counters the skepticism and suspicious claims of the Jesus
Seminar (often sensationalized in the media) and others
by explaining how scholarship has evolved to the point that
we can develop an historical account of Jesus of Nazareth.
This course will also provide a brief history of biblical
theology and an opportunity to discuss concepts of revelation
in light of Rev. Murphy-O'Connor's lecture.
Unit 1
- History of Biblical Scholarship.
- Divino Afflante Spiritu.
Unit 2
- Lecture by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor.
- The Descent into skepticism created
by source criticism and form criticism.
- The Ascent from skepticism created
by studies in orality, anthropology and archeology.
Unit 3
- Four weeks in duration, which includes
orientation to online learning.
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- All readings available online in text
format.
- Supplemental readings are provided
to encourage further exploration of topic, internet links
provided for all readings.
- Short weekly written assignments (150-200
words) required.
- Weekly facilitator-moderated chat session
with students in course.
- All course content will be available
online.
Requirements for course include:
- Weekly reading or viewing of lecture
text.
- Participation in class discussion using
discussion area (minimum 2 comments, questions or responses
weekly.)
- Weekly written assignment (150-200
words.)
- Course evaluation.
- 3 to 5 hours a week (time varies from
student to student depending on your learning style and
schedule.)
A Certificate of Completion awarding 15
Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all course
requirements.
This course offers an optional Supplemental
CD. While the video lectures for the course are available
in the course via webstreaming, Supplemental CDs containing
the video lectures can be purchased for viewing the lecture
without being connected to the Internet or for reviewing
the lecture after the course has ended.
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A Dominican priest
and professor at the Ecole Biblique et Archeologique
Francaise in Jerusalem, Father Murphy-O'Connor is
a leading authority on freedom, grace and sin in the
work of St. Paul, with a particular focus on the Corinthian
letters. Among his 14 books are St. Paul the Letter-Writer:
His World, His Options, His Skills; Paul
of Tarsus: His Story; St. Paul: A Critical
Life; and What is Religious Life? He
also wrote The Holy Land: An Archaeological Guide
from Earliest Times to 1700, now in its fourth
edition, and has published hundreds of articles in
journals, dictionaries, encyclopedias and other publications.
Born in Ireland, Father Murphy-O'Connor earned his
doctoral degree from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland).
He spends his summers teaching as a visiting scholar
at universities worldwide, including every other year
at Notre Dame.
Doctor of Laws |
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