Simply Jesus

Name: Simply Jesus
Rating: 4.8 (1097 reviews)

A Walk Through the Life and Times of Jesus

Created byN.T. Wright, David P. Seemuth, Jennifer Loop

Last updated 10/2019

English

What you'll learn

Understand the story of Jesus, not as a 'religious figure', but as a person who lived, taught, and carried out his mission within a 1st Century context.
Explain the role of Jesus within his context and understand the difficulties and resistance to who he was and to what he said.
Understand some of the key biblical texts which speak of the life, teachings, and work of Jesus within the literary and cultural setting of his day
Discern the various political and philosophical movements that provided the backdrop for the actions of Jesus and which provide further meaning to Jesus' life.
Embrace an understanding of the Jesus of history and not simply the traditions which emerged centuries after his death.
Examine the story of Jesus to see his works within a Jewish context as a fulfillment of the work of the God of Israel.

Course content

13 sections • 41 lectures • 5h 6m total length

Introduction to Simply Jesus and to Udemy9:12
Introduce the real Jesus in the first-century context using the four gospels and Roman sources, and explore what the kingdom of God meant, as part of Udemy's Simply Jesus course.
Simply Jesus: Introduction with Prof. N.T. Wright (cont)9:52
Comprehension Quiz: Introduction with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Luke 33:22
Prof. Wright reads the biblical text from Luke Chapter Three as the foundation for his upcoming lecture.
Luke 3 with Prof. N.T. Wright16:25
Comprehension Quiz: Luke 3 with Prof. Wright
Newcomers Guide to Using the Udemy Platform2:23
Explore the Udemy platform through a guided tour of the Simply Jesus course, including sections, lectures by Professor Wright, gospel readings, quizzes, downloadable readings, and a public discussion forum.

The Biblical Text: Luke 4:14-302:19
Prof. Wright reads the biblical text from Luke 4:14-30 describing a dramatic encounter which Jesus has in his home town of Nazareth. This forms the basis for Prof. Wright's upcoming lecture.
Luke 4:14-30 with Prof. N.T. Wright14:17
Prof. Wright presents the description where Jesus enters his hometown, Nazareth, to deliver a message to which his hearers object. Initial amazement leads to rejection of Jesus and his message.
Comprehension Quiz: Luke 4:14-30 with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Matthew 5:1-202:31
Prof. Wright reads from Matthew 5:1-20. This section of the New Testament is often called 'The Beatitudes' within the greater 'Sermon on the Mount' which Jesus speaks to his audience.
Matthew 5:1-20 with Prof. N.T. Wright15:58
Comprehension Quiz: Matthew 5:1-20 with Prof. Wright

The Biblical Text: Mark 4:1-202:43
In this reading from the Gospel of Mark, we find Jesus telling what is known as 'The Parable of the Sower'. This well-known parable is often misunderstood when taken out of its historical and literary context.
Mark 4:1-20 with Prof. N.T. Wright15:33
Comprehension Quiz: Mark 4:1-20 with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Luke 154:24
Luke 15 contains a collection of parables further explaining the nature of the Kingdom of God. This section also includes the 'Parable of the Lost Son', often represented in paintings as well as in sermons. This parable is one of the most emotive stories in the Gospels, yet its fuller meaning is often lost.
Luke 15 with Prof. N.T. Wright18:16
Explore Luke 15, where Jesus celebrates with outcasts and sinners, signaling the kingdom of God breaking in, and presents the prodigal son as exile and restoration.
Comprehension Quiz: Luke 15 with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Mark 7:1-232:51
Mark 7:1-23 with Prof. N.T. Wright15:04
Comprehension Quiz: Mark 7:1-23 with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Mark 8:22-9:12:38
Mark 8:22-9:1 with Prof. N.T. Wright16:54
In Mark 8:22-9:1, Wright portrays Jesus as the messiah whose kingdom arrives through the cross, challenging followers to deny themselves and take up their cross.
Comprehension Quiz: Mark 8:22-33 with Prof. Wright

The Biblical Text: Mark 10:35-451:36
Mark 10:35-45 with Prof. N.T. Wright14:10
James and John seek seats of power, but Jesus redefines greatness through suffering, baptism, and servanthood, stating the Son of Man gives his life as a ransom for many.
Comprehension Quiz: Mark 10:35-45 with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Matthew 21:1-172:26
Matthew 21:1-17 with Prof. N.T. Wright16:25
Reframe the temple incident as a prophetic sign of God's judgment and kingdom. Link Jesus's temple action to the Last Supper and the renewed covenant of God.
Comprehension Quiz: Matthew 21:1-17 with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Luke 22:14-231:22
Luke 22:14-23 with Prof. N.T. Wright15:01
Link Jesus’s Passover meal to the kingdom of God, presenting his death as the new Passover that forgives sins and inaugurates the new covenant.
Comprehension Quiz: Luke 22:14-23 with Prof. Wright

The Biblical Text: Mark 14:55-651:33
Mark 14:55-65 with Prof. N.T. Wright17:11
Analyze how Caiaphas confronts Jesus in Mark 14:55–65, revealing the messianic claim through Daniel 7 and Psalm 110 and redefining the temple's authority.
Comprehension Quiz: Mark 14:55-65 with Prof. Wright
The Biblical Text: Luke 23:26-472:49
Luke 23:26-47 with Prof. N.T. Wright17:53
Comprehension Quiz: Luke 23:26-47 with Prof. Wright

Requirements

Students may wish to acquire the book, Simply Jesus, by N.T. Wright (HarperOne, 2011) ISBN: 0062084399. The book is available in print, digital and audio formats.

Description

In this course Simply Jesus, students will be immersed in the 1st Century A.D. context of the life, work, teachings, and actions of Jesus of Nazareth. The goal of the course is to look at the story of Jesus from the perspective of a historian. Too many times Jesus of Nazareth becomes interpreted as simply another 'religious figure' among many religious figures. But this so often eliminates the understanding of a man who lived in time and space at a critical time of history.

This course is meant for all audiences. No previous theological study is required or expected. In this way it is meant to give a basic understanding of Jesus as a figure in history primarily.

Prof. Wright will lecture on key biblical texts to walk the student through the different elements that constitute the story of Jesus. In addition, there will be quizzes and discussion questions to help the student think more intently about the material presented.

This course tries to focus on essential biblical texts and non-biblical historical material to embrace the larger story of a Jesus of history. This course is to be taken in tandem with the reading of Prof. Wright's book, Simply Jesus. In Simply Jesus, bestselling author and leading Bible scholar N.T. Wright summarizes 200 years of modern Biblical scholarship and models how Christians can best retell the story of Jesus today. In a style similar to C.S. Lewis’s popular works, Wright breaks down the barriers that prevent Christians from fully engaging with the story of Jesus.

We trust that the material and the dialogue with other students will be encouraging and enlightening for all.

Who this course is for:

This is an entry level course for anyone wishing to understand the story of the life of Jesus from the point of view of a historian examining the 1st Century A.D. context.
This course does not enter debates about the existence of the historical Jesus.

Simply Jesus

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to the Course and to Udemy5 lectures • 41min

Simply Jesus– The Textbook, Part One1 lecture • 1min

The Introduction of the King and the Kingdom Way4 lectures • 35min

Simply Jesus– The Textbook, Part Two1 lecture • 1min

Parables and Teachings of Jesus Leads to Questions and Mystery Among His Hearers8 lectures • 1hr 18min

Simply Jesus– The Textbook, Part Two (continued)1 lecture • 1min

Jesus Gives Clear Declaration of His Mission and Actions Leading to Jerusalem6 lectures • 51min

Simply Jesus– The Textbook, Part Two (continued)1 lecture • 1min

Jesus Marches to His Betrayal, Trial, Suffering, and to His Death4 lectures • 39min

Simply Jesus– The Textbook, Part Two (continued)1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: