THRS2223 - 01 - The First Christians

(RICT) RI Christian Tradition (RCT) RT Christian Tradition

The first followers of Jesus of Nazareth were diverse groups of people who left behind a significant body of writings, only some of which are found in the New Testament. Among the first Christians there were competing understandings about a number of important issues. Who is Jesus? Was he simply a good and righteous man? A powerful prophet; the Son of God? What does it take to join this group called Christians? Is there a place for women? How should a follower of Jesus live? How should the Christian community organize itself: what are its structures, how is authority used, and who gets to decide? This course will examine these and other issues by carefully studying all the most important letters of the New Testament as well as other early Christian writings not found in the New Testament.