The Storied World of the Bible
What you'll learn
- Students will be able to describe how to understand the grand themes found in the Bible.
- Students will appreciate the ways in which the biblical writers contribute to a deeper understanding of God.
- Students will be able to explain how the first creation narratives found in Genesis fit with the New Creation as initiated by Jesus Christ.
- Students will be able to describe how the Old Testament fits with the New Testament.
Requirements
- Be able to discern connecting themes that are found in the Bible.
- Obtain a copy of the Bible in a modern translation to help understanding. Some may wish to have the Kingdom New Testament, by Prof. N.T. Wright.
- Be willing to read various literary styles that are found in the Bible such as narrative, poetry, prophecy, etc.
Description
The Bible can often be a mystery to those who read it. There are various narratives which combine to make a great story. We have a great story, which is God’s story, which is then the story of creation, with humans in the middle of it. We have Israel’s story, called to be the promise bearing humans. The story then becomes focused on David and his family as the ones who are specially charged of ruling God’s people and bringing God’s justice to the world. And with this vocation there comes the parallel temptation to abuse the vocation.
Often, people wonder how the various stories, poems, prophetic texts, Gospels, and letters all fit together. And, indeed, they do fit together in ways needing to be understood by readers of the Bible. This course will unpack some of the questions surrounding the meaning of the Bible to bring a coherent sense of what is being communicated by the biblical writers. The Bible then, truly, becomes a Grand Story of God's faithfulness.
Who this course is for:
- Anyone interested in learning about the Bible.
- Anyone wondering how the various themes found in the Bible fit together.
- Anyone with questions about how Israel as a nation played a critical role in biblical history.
- Anyone curious about how Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's promises to the world.
- Anyone wondering about how the Bible helps individuals in our day to live abundant lives.
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Instructors
- 4.8 Instructor Rating
- 27,948 Reviews
- 122,458 Students
- 42 Courses
N.T Wright received his BA, MA and D.Phil. from Oxford University. He taught New Testament at Cambridge, McGill and Oxford Universities 1978-1993. He was Dean of Lichfield, then Canon of Westminster, then Bishop of Durham (Church of England), 1994-2010. Prof. Wright is Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and is currently Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. He has published over 85 books and hundreds of articles. In 2014 Prof. Wright received the Burkitt Medal from the British Academy for services to New Testament scholarship. He enjoys music, golf the Isle of Harris, and spending time with his family in the midst of a busy schedule of writing and travelling.
- 4.8 Instructor Rating
- 28,033 Reviews
- 122,579 Students
- 43 Courses
David Seemuth has a Ph.D. from Marquette University in the field of Religious Studies with an emphasis on New Testament Theology. He has taught at the graduate level for over 30 years at numerous universities and seminaries. He also has 21 years of on-line teaching experience. His passion is to see that people not only understand the Scripture, but also apply them to daily life.
- 4.8 Instructor Rating
- 27,790 Reviews
- 121,504 Students
- 41 Courses
Jennifer Loop is currently a doctoral candidate at Durham University. She is the Director of Ministry Engagement for the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, and plays a critical role in the online education, both organizational and theological, by guiding the online student experience. Jennifer enjoys engaging with a ‘virtual community’ of diverse students and learners to explore how theology, faith and practice intersect.