Intro to New Testament (A Black Perspective)

This course by Dr. Eric Betts is designed to provide an overview of the New Testament, with a focus on the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which it was written. It will provide the student with an analytical and historical survey of the New Testament against a fully integrated picture of the world of the first century. We will explore the themes and messages of the New Testament, as well as its relevance to contemporary issues. In addition, the course will examine the New Testament from the perspective of African American scholars, who bring unique insights into the text based on their experiences of oppression and marginalization. The African American New Testament commentary entitled "True to Our Native Land," whose general editor is African American scholar, Brian K. Blount, with various academic contributors such as Cain Hope Felder and Emerson Powery, is the primary text.

Dr. Betts eloquently and masterfully shows how the New Testament was written during the time of Roman occupation, which was characterized by political turmoil, social unrest, and oppression. The authors of the New Testament were themselves members of oppressed communities, and their writings reflect their experiences of suffering and resistance. By examining the New Testament through the lens of African American perspectives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the text and its relevance to contemporary issues of race, justice, and liberation.

You will learn how the New Testament can educate and inspire movements for social justice and how it can move individuals and communities to work towards a more just and equitable society.

This course on the New Testament with a focus on historical, cultural, and social contexts, and African American perspectives, can provide students with a deeper understanding of the text and its relevance to challenges in today's world.