NT156 Understanding Easter: The Significance of the Resurrection
NT202 A Survey of Jewish History and Literature from the Second Temple Period
NT211 Introducing the Gospels and Acts: Their Background, Nature, and Purpose
NT221 The Wisdom of John: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Johannine Literature
NT222 Introducing the Epistles and Revelation: Their Setting and Message
NT301 The Gospels as Ancient Biography: A Theological and Historical Perspective
NT314 Book Study: The Gospel of Matthew in Its Jewish Context
NT332 A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Romans
NT340 Book Study: Paul’s Letter to the Galatians: The Gospel for Jew and Gentile
NT348 Book Study: Paul’s Letters to the Colossians and Philemon
NT364 Book Study: James
NT390 Jesus as Rabbi: The Jewish Context of the Life of Jesus
NT395 Perspectives on Paul: Reformation and the New Perspective
Gain a better understanding of the New Testament's structure and themes with New Testament scholar Dr. Lynn Cohick. You'll examine elements such as historical context, writing techniques of the Gospel authors, developments in the early church, the settings of the epistles, the genre of the book of Revelation, and the life of Jesus.
This insightful course on the arrival of Christ and his kingdom is presented by a team of respected Christian theologians, including Craig A. Evans, Michael W. Goheen, Jeannine K. Brown, Mark L. Strauss, Joel Willitts, and Gerry Breshears. These scholars are well published in biblical interpretation, biblical theology, and the New Testament, and their combined expertise will allow students to gain the clearest insight as they study the New Testament. This course covers new perspectives on the eschatological expectations of first-century Judaism, the birth of the Messiah in each Gospel, and Christ’s kingdom mission.
This insightful course on Jesus’ death and resurrection is presented by a team of respected Christian theologians, including Douglas J. Moo, Ben Witherington, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Darrell L. Bock, and Michael W. Goheen. These instructors have written multiple contemporary studies on this historical event and its significance for the Christian, and students will be able to gain the clearest insight with their guidance. Under these instructors you will discover new perspectives on the texts that are perennially used as sources of discussion on Jesus’ sacrifice and defeat of sin.
The Gospel Message in the Early Church (NT176) is presented by a team of respected Christian theologians, including Frank James, Lynn Cohick, Michael Goheen, Darrell Bock, Douglas Moo, Beth Jones, and Frederick Cardoza. These scholars are well published in NT, Church History, and Christian Education, and their combined expertise allows students to gain clear insight into the early church as they study the NT. This course covers the dynamic growth of the early church, the gospel message, key marks and images of a missional church, and biblical discipleship in the NT.
Join Dr. David deSilva as he describes important cultural concepts from the first century and shows how these concepts shed light on the New Testament. Learn why the author of 1 Peter spoke to the shame Christians were experiencing, and what cultural norms they had to fight against as they sought to follow Christ. Discover how grace and gratitude were viewed differently than they are today. Learn what purity meant for Jews, how patronage and reciprocity impacted everyday decisions, how families and households operated, and more. Dr. deSilva pulls from a variety of sources to explain these concepts and uses the books of Hebrews and 1 Peter to illustrate them.
This course will give you a better understanding of the environment early Christians were in as they broke the rules of society for the sake of the gospel.
In this course, Dr. Joel Willitts guides you through key historical moments and literary works of the Second Temple period. Discover the history between Israel’s return from Babylonian exile, beginning in 583 BC, and the destruction of the Jerusalem temple in AD 70. Develop an understanding of the beliefs of Jewish groups such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. Survey a vast array of Second Temple literature, from the Old Testament Apocrypha to the writings of Philo and Josephus.
The Literary Context of the Gospels (NT203) examines the genre of the gospels. The course examines what type of literature the gospels may be as well as what the implications are for interpretation. It looks at both ancient and modern genre and surveys the history of the interpretation of the gospel genre. The course explores different structural features of the gospels and shows how these features fit with genres like history or ancient biography. By understanding the genre of the gospels, you’ll gain insight into how the gospel writers intended to communicate their message about the person, life, and ministry of Jesus.
Study the key events of the Gospels and the book of Acts with prolific New Testament scholar Dr. Darrell L. Bock. Dr. Bock walks you through the pivotal events of history that shaped the social, religious, and political environment of Jesus and the early church. Find out why the religious leaders wanted Jesus crucified and how the resurrection demonstrated God’s approval of Jesus as Messiah. Discover how the early church remembered, shared, and recorded the events of Jesus’ life, and how those events became the catalyst for ministry in the book of Acts. Learn about the literary features of the gospel genre and why some “gospels” were not included in the New Testament.
Dr. Bock—an internationally recognized authority on theology and culture—developed this course for the Mobile Education platform so that you can read the Gospels and Acts with fresh eyes.
Dr. Craig S. Keener, award-winning scholar and author of one of the largest and most thoroughly documented Acts commentaries available, provides students with an introduction to the book of Acts that focuses on such fundamentals as genre and historical context. He also explores key themes including mission, ethnic reconciliation, and evangelism and discusses the Spirit’s power to bring these about.
Explore the book of Acts in depth with Dr. Darrell L. Bock, who is internationally recognized for his scholarship in Luke-Acts. You will hear Dr. Bock’s commentary on key speeches and significant events such as Pentecost, the expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles, and the Jerusalem council that decided how Jews and Gentiles would function as one body. You will learn how Luke’s writings are the “glue” that coheres the New Testament, and how these works explain the way the Old Testament fits into the New.
“Luke-Acts is fundamentally about legitimization,” says Dr. Bock. “Even though Christianity seems to be new, it actually is the realization of promises that go back all the way to Abraham, all the way to Moses. It’s been around a long time. It’s the completion of Jewish hope. That legitimizes the early church.”
Why is the Johannine literature—Gospel of John, 1–3 John, and Revelation—so different from the other books in the New Testament? What does the style of these books tell us about Jesus and his message to the church? Dr. Ben Witherington III—one the world’s top evangelical scholars—walks through one-third of the New Testament and covers several genres so you will encounter these familiar books with fresh eyes. He examines these books not only as a group, but also individually with an emphasis on the social and historical context of each one.
Dr. Witherington packed the last three decades of his research on Johannine literature into this course, designed specifically for Mobile Ed. Read the Johannine literature as you never have before—through the lens of Jewish wisdom literature—and deepen your understanding of God’s Word.
This course explores the books of Romans through Revelation with particular attention to their historical setting and culture. In addition to providing an overview of each book, topics such as authorship, audience, theology, major themes, presenting problems and pastoral strategies are discussed in depth.
Explore the content and major themes of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus with New Testament Professor Kenneth Waters Sr. You’ll examine the doctrine of salvation, learn the difference between “imminent” and “immanent” eschatology, gain background information on Timothy and Titus, and see the bigger picture of where and how these letters fit in with the rest of Paul’s journeys and our own spiritual formation.
Dr. Waters also looks at the controversies that surround the interpretation of these texts. You’ll gain new insight into Paul’s remarks about slavery and the roles of women in the church.
Who was Paul of Tarsus? In this course, Dr. Lynn Cohick draws from the book of Acts as well as Paul’s letters to paint a vivid picture of who he was, what he did, and what he believed. “We want to take a look both at Acts and at Paul’s letters because we want to make sure that we understand Paul not simply as someone who thinks about theology, sits at a desk and writes letters, but also as someone who is doing, who is living out what they claim.”
Dr. Cohick begins with Luke’s perspective in Acts, and draws attention to Paul’s desires and actions and the major events in his life. Then, using Acts as a narrative framework, she looks at Paul’s own writings to reveal more about his personal thoughts and fears. If you want a guided tour through the life and teachings of one of the most influential figures in the Christian church, this is it.
Dr. Jonathan Pennington zeroes in on one of the most important texts studied throughout church history: the Sermon on the Mount. He gives a detailed exposition of the biblical text, covers historical interpretations, and provides direction for reading the sermon according to its structure.
Be prepared to serve through Preaching. Earn a Mobile Ed Certificate of Completion when you invest in your education. Learn more about the Preaching Certificate Program.
The parables of Jesus are colorful, startling, and often confusing. In this course, Dr. Dan Doriani explains this unique narrative type and walks you through proper interpretation of the parables, examining their images, themes, and applications for modern readers.
In this course, Dr. Dan Doriani not only details the miracles performed by Jesus, but also focuses on their place in his ministry. Dr. Doriani draws connections between the miracles themselves and the person and work of Christ, explaining clearly who Christ is and what he came to share.
The Jesus of the Gospels (NT254) focuses on the historical Jesus and the reliability of the four gospels. The course surveys different “quests” for the historical Jesus by critical scholarship and examines, apologetically, what we can demonstrate about the person of Jesus. It assesses the teaching of Jesus, his miracles, the intention of his ministry, and the historical evidence for his death and resurrection.
The most important question a person can ask is, “Who is Jesus?” In this course, Dr. Michael Bird evaluates the testimony of each of the Gospel writers and the apostle Paul to discover who the New Testament authors believed Jesus to be. He also considers the testimony of Jesus himself to see how he understood his own identity. You will have the opportunity to look at Jesus through historical, religious, and personal lenses as you reflect on your own response to Jesus’s question, “Who do you say that I am?”
In NT276 Pauline Theology Dr. Douglas J. Moo organizes Paul’s theology within the new realm of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the lives of Jesus’ followers. After comparing the new realm to the old realm of the law, Dr. Moo takes you on a journey from the inauguration of the new realm to its culmination, stopping to discuss the people of the new realm and how Jesus’ followers enter into, live within, and enjoy this new realm. This course provides you with a foundation to read, study, teach, and preach the message of the apostle Paul.
In this course, Dr. Michael Heiser explains the story of how we got the New Testament—he guides you from the process of inspiration to the discovery and transmission of manuscripts. Dr. Heiser describes the role of scribes throughout time and discusses significant Greek New Testament manuscripts upon which modern translations are based. Because most students of the Bible read it in their own language, he also examines translation philosophies and controversies.
This course covers the seven biblical letters known as the Catholic Epistles. After an overview of the Catholic Epistles in general, students will explore issues such as authorship and audience in James, as well as themes such as perfection/wholeness, faith, works and justification. First and Second Peter are covered next with a focus on submission, suffering and responding to false teachers. The course concludes with a look at Jude and the letters of John.
Dr. Jonathan Pennington, a specialist in the Gospels, discusses how to interpret these ancient biographies based on their genre rather than focusing only on their content. This course shows how a literary reading of the Gospels reveals the beauty of Jesus’ life.
Survey the structures and purpose of New Testament theology with renowned Bible scholar and author Dr. Douglas Moo. This expansive course looks at key concepts that emerge from the different books of the New Testament, and explains the overall message God has for the church. Dr. Moo examines the diversity of the New Testament writings, stressing the importance of reading each book in its own context, as well as the unity that arises from their divine inspiration.
Dr. Craig Evans combines his extensive knowledge of ancient manuscripts and New Testament studies to survey the contents, context, and influence of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He details the history of the scrolls and the Essenes, and shows how the scrolls affect our understanding of Jesus, John the Baptist, and the early church.
Craig Evans describes the world of Jesus and the early church based on archeology. He draws connections between archaeological finds and relevant Scripture passages and theological issues. Evans discusses how archaeology sheds light on the synagogues of Israel, literacy of the time, Pilate and Caiaphas, and burial traditions.
In this course, Craig Evans answers a question commonly asked about the New Testament—can we trust the manuscripts? Because the answer has serious consequences, Dr. Evans clearly outlines the history of these important documents. He discusses the quality, quantity, and age of the manuscripts and how these elements compare to nonbiblical ancient texts. He describes the practices of ancient writers and scribes and provides numerous examples to show that the manuscripts of the New Testament are reliable.
Explore the historical reliability of the Gospels and the controversy of miracles. Probe the Gospels as biographies recounting historical information passed down through written and oral traditions and eyewitness accounts.
Gain clarity in your reading of the Gospels with a study of the intertestamental period. The decline of the Persian Empire, the rise of Alexander the Great, Israel’s military engagements and religious movements—the events between the final book of the Old Testament and the first Gospel are a backdrop for Christ’s appearance and the development of Christianity. Intertestamental history clarifies the context of the New Testament for a deeper, more robust understanding of Scripture.
The Gospels are 2000-year-old texts, so as you read them it is important to understand the ancient genre they represent. In this course, Craig Evans surveys the Gospels, discusses issues of text criticism, and explains ancient teaching methods so you understand not only what Jesus taught, but how he taught it and why his lessons are recorded as they are across the Gospel texts.
In this course, Dr. Craig Evans explores various ancient sources that refer to Christ. He focuses on the evidence from extrabiblical sources, and looks at what they reveal about the life of Christ and how Jesus was perceived by early non-Christian witnesses. He examines references to Jesus in Roman, Jewish, and other writings, and looks at where Jesus’ name was invoked in both Christian and pagan charms and incantations.
This course from distinguished New Testament professor Dr. Craig Evans discusses the original context in which Matthew wrote his Gospel, as well as his purpose for writing. Matthew wrote for those still connected to the synagogue, answering questions based upon their Jewish context. Dr. Evans takes you from the ancient context of Matthew’s Gospel to applications for today.
Enjoy an in-depth study of Mark’s Gospel from New Testament expert Dr. Mark Strauss. In this course, Dr. Strauss focuses on the words of Mark and the themes, theology, and purpose of the book. He describes the context of the Gospel as a whole and then examines the text passage by passage.
In this course, Dr. Andrew W. Pitts works through the Gospel of Luke in short segments. He answers questions such as: What did Luke intend the reader to know? How should we read this Gospel? Who was Luke? And what message can modern readers take from this important book?
Analyze the Gospel of Matthew as an ancient biography meant to communicate historical information as well as moral, theological, and political lessons. This course is primarily focused on the major themes in Matthew, including cross-cultural ministry, evangelism, Christian education, and making disciples of the nations, while highlighting Jesus’ teaching and His love and patience for His disciples.
Explore the social settings, traditions, and historical setting, as well as the question of the authorship of Mark. Tackle the first half of Mark, which is dedicated to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, where he performed miracles; and the second half of Mark, which is focused on Jesus in Jerusalem and the passion. Discover the purpose of Mark’s Gospel, which is to present Jesus as God’s true Son who fulfills his mission on earth. Dr. Craig Evans sheds light on the book of Mark and brings the text to life.
Dr. Craig Evans examines how Luke transformed the Jesus story into something that Gentiles in his time could appreciate. Luke wanted his readers to know that his account was based on early sources—credible eyewitness testimony that he himself had accessed for the composition of this Gospel. Remember, this was a Jewish story, one about Jesus the Jew, fulfiller of the Jewish Scriptures, and was part of the history of the people of Israel. So, what relevance did it have for Gentiles? Luke wanted the Gentiles to know that this Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, was their Savior too. And that is still true today—He’s our savior also. Luke’s other emphases—election, the unity of the church, proper use of wealth, and what constitutes true righteousness—remain valid for the church today as well.
In NT322, Dr. Darrell L. Bock walks through the Gospel of Luke. He looks at the major themes in the book, including discipleship, faithfulness to God, and the priority of the kingdom of God. Dr. Bock explains important background information and provides an overview of the narrative flow of the book as he shows how Jesus works in the context of Luke’s narrative.
Book Study: The Gospel of John (NT323) is an application-based study of John’s Gospel. It encourages the student to read the Gospel as an ancient text written to a group of Jewish Christians in the Diaspora. The study reflects on the purpose of the book, which is to inspire and build faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to demonstrate that committing to this faith will bring eternal life.
In the course Book Study: The Acts of the Apostles (NT326) Dr. Joshua Jipp walks through the story of the early church as narrated in the book of Acts. You will see how the early church grew from a tiny Jewish sect after the death and resurrection of Jesus into a multi-ethnic community that spread throughout the ancient world “to the ends of the earth.” Dr. Jipp reveals important background information that will help you appreciate the book in context, and you’ll gain an understanding of the various episodes of the early church as the apostles carry out the mission of the risen Jesus and preach Him as the one Lord over all.
In NT328, Dr. Darrell L. Bock will walk you through ten theological themes of the unified work Luke-Acts. You will learn what Luke-Acts has to say about salvation, the kingdom, Christians in society, the future of Israel, and so much more. By the end of this course, you will be well acquainted with major themes that are woven throughout the biggest literary work in the New Testament.
Paul’s epistle to the Romans is one of the most important theological treatises ever written. In this upper-division course, Douglas Moo traces the major theological themes of Romans, following Paul’s flow of thought from argument to argument. Moo covers essential historical and theological backgrounds, and brings students into Romans’ traditional interpretations and the newer ideas developed by the New Perspective on Paul.
Understanding the rhetorical craft that Paul employs is essential for interpreting the Letter to the Romans. No less important is understanding the specific issues Paul’s Roman audience was facing and how he uses his arguments to resonate profoundly with them. In this course, Dr. Ben Witherington III provides a socio-rhetorical analysis of this letter, examining the social setting of Paul’s writing and exploring the culture of first-century Rome. He investigates the rhetoric Paul uses, and he considers the flow of Paul’s arguments to reveal the letter’s themes of the righteousness of God and the reconciliation of humanity—Jew and Gentile—in Christ.
In Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (NT334) Craig Blomberg steps through the text to explain the big picture and the many issues and controversies found in 1 Corinthians. You will be encouraged in your Christian walk to understand and express your spiritual gifts and to see the contemporary relevance of the issues faced by the Corinthian church. This study reveals the pastoral heart of Paul in both addressing moral and community issues of Christian leadership, factionalism, lawsuits, sexuality and food sacrificed to idols whilst keeping rehabilitation always in mind. Taking a broad-brush approach, you will gain a balanced perspective on spiritual gifts and the importance of love before diving in to examine the controversial topics of tongues and prophecy. There is something of relevance for every Christian in this study which shows that the same issues facing the first century church can be found in the church today.
In Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, Dr. George Guthrie walks you through the text of 2 Corinthians, where Paul expresses what he thinks about authentic Christian ministry—what does it mean to follow Christ as a real Christian minister in the world? Dr. Guthrie deals with the purpose of each section of the letter, walking through exegesis of the passage and discussing how Paul accomplishes his purpose in that passage. He also covers the implications of Paul’s letter for our lives today.
Join Dr. Joel Willitts, as he explores what he describes as Paul’s “most passionate piece of writing”—his letter to the Galatians. Learn how Paul wrote Galatians with rhetorical flair, sarcasm, and hyperbole. You will come to understand the issues Paul was addressing in his letter and gain insight into how the book can be applied today. This course addresses some of the most controversial topics in Pauline theology, as Dr. Willitts dives into the works of the law, justification by faith, righteousness, and faith itself.
Dr. Douglas Moo, known for his commentaries on Romans and Galatians, lays out his research on this much-debated text. He explores the theme of justification by faith and explains its importance to the Protestant Reformation and the Protestant church today. He discusses the new perspective on Paul and how it relates to Galatians. You’ll also learn important contextual information about who the Galatians were, why Paul wrote to them, and how they might have understood Paul’s letter. Dr. Moo guides you through the text, explaining the major themes and theological elements toward the goal of understanding how Paul’s letter to the Galatians applies to our lives and to the church.
Learn from New Testament and Pauline studies expert Dr. Lynn Cohick as she guides you through each chapter and theological concept in Ephesians, including salvation, the Trinity, and the church. She devotes additional time to exploring God’s vision for marriage, and the institution of slavery. She also explains various interpretive theories—like the new perspective on Paul—and how these theories compare with traditional ideas.
Dr. Cohick’s goal is for you to become better equipped to read the rest of Paul’s letters and more confident in reading the Bible as a whole by better understanding the theology, history, and interpretive possibilities of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, and for you to grow in your faith each step of the way.
What were Paul’s core theological beliefs? What framework did he use to organize his beliefs, and how did these beliefs relate to one another? In this course, Dr. Robert Sloan explores the theological concepts and terminology in Philippians and uses these as a window into the mind of Paul. He moves you beyond a book-level understanding to understanding Paul’s theology as whole.
In this course, Dr. Robert Sloan takes you verse by verse through Philippians. You’ll explore themes of fellowship, Christ and the gospel, unity in the church, suffering, death, resurrection, justification, and more. You’ll learn the historical background of the city of Philippi and gain context as to why Paul emphasized some things over others in his letter. Dr. Sloan addresses these topics with his engaging presence and clear communication style. If you desire practical, straightforward exposition on Philippians, Dr. Sloan will not disappoint.
This course applies the concepts from LA211 to an exposition of Philippians. Dr. Runge takes you through the Greek text, explaining the exegetical significance of the devices and how he arrived at his conclusions. You’ll learn discourse analysis methods and how to apply them.
In this course, Dr. Joshua Jipp takes you through each passage of Colossians, identifying important themes such as Christ’s work in creation and redemption, our union with Christ, and sanctification. You’ll learn from Paul how to pray God-centered prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. You’ll better understand the role that Christology plays in Paul’s argumentation and how that Christology can shape our identity each and every day.
Dr. Jipp also provides background information on the church in Colossae and describes the challenges the Colossians may have been facing. He examines the genre as well—you’ll learn what an epistle is, why someone like Paul would write one, and what you should be looking for as you read.
Join Dr. Constantine Campbell as he explores the theology and themes of Colossians and Philemon. Discover the implications of the Christ hymn in Col 1:15–20, which Dr. Campbell calls “the most profound Christological statement in the New Testament.” See how Paul addresses the “Colossian heresy,” as well as social and ethical issues like slavery and reconciliation. Through Dr. Campbell’s verse by verse commentary and engaging exposition you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Christians are called to live and what spiritual maturity looks like.
In this course on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Dr. Jeffrey Weima provides an in-depth look at two of Paul’s most intriguing letters. Dr. Weima begins with the historical background of the letters. He provides with an overview of ancient Thessalonica and the founding of the Thessalonian church. From there, he moves into a detailed exegesis of 1 and 2 Thessalonians which includes grammatical, historical and literary analysis, as well as modern application. You will come away from the course with a better understanding and appreciation of these letters.
This course is the culmination of over 20 years of research and teaching on the book of Hebrews by Dr. George Guthrie. Dr. Guthrie walks you through the entire text, explaining its complex structure and navigating you through its twists and turns. You’ll learn about specific issues the first-century church faced and see how we are still dealing with those issues today. You’ll also gain an understanding of the theological foundations laid in Hebrews. Dr. Guthrie draws from his extensive research to provide insight on the priesthood of Jesus and God’s covenant promises.
In Exegetical Study: Letter to the Hebrews Dr. David deSilva takes an in-depth look at the sermon to the Hebrews. He sets the stage for careful exegesis by providing a solid foundation of background information that probes cultural, theological, and spiritual issues throughout the sermon. He then walks through the text, which is divided thematically into eleven units, concluding each section with a summary and challenges for application. DeSilva also explores this text as a model for preaching today.
Study the book of James and the call to be a wholistic Christianity with Douglas J. Moo. He explores how to become a wholistic Christians by responding rightly to trials, by responding to God’s Word, by pursuing peace with fellow Christians, and living out of a Christian worldview.
In Book Study: Letter of James (NT365), Dr. William Varner presents the practical meaning and unifying thought of the Letter of James in a way that will help you effectively communicate them to others. This study presents a fresh perspective on James the man and also James the letter, showing how the emphasis on works complements rather than contradicts Paul’s emphasis on faith. Walking you through each chapter of this letter verse by verse, Dr. Varner will illustrate how reading James as a Wisdom book reveals its practical meaning and relevance for today.
Join Dr. Douglas Moo in a study of the letter of 1 Peter. You’ll explore the key themes of this letter, and you will examine how Peter instructed his audience to live in the face of persecution. As Dr. Moo walks you through the text, you will learn what Peter taught about maintaining faithfulness and holiness under pressure and engaging in evangelism with endurance.
Put your knowledge of Greek into action with Greek Exegesis: 1 John (NT371). In this exegetical course, Dr. John D. Schwandt employs a close reading of the Greek text to do an inductive study of 1 John. After providing an overall introduction to the epistle, Dr. Schwandt walks you passage-by-passage through a careful grammatical-syntactical analysis of the book. At each step of the way, he highlights viable optional interpretations and then argues for the interpretation he thinks most apt for John’s context. You’ll come away from this course not only with a better understanding of 1 John, but also with tools you can use to study other New Testament books.
Examine one of the most exciting and controversial books in the Bible with Dr. Keener’s commentary on the book of Revelation. Explore the challenging aspects of the book as well as the beautiful elements that invite us to worship God. Dr. Keener focuses on the themes in Revelation, including prayer, suffering in light of hope, and how the Spirit empowers us to share Christ with others.
In this course, Dr. Paulien offers a Seventh-day Adventist perspective on the book of Revelation. He walks you through the text, focusing on its literary structure and its relationship to the book of Daniel, and the significance of these for an Adventist understanding of the book. He helps you understand core Adventist beliefs and why they matter for today’s Christian.
Explore the words of Jesus through the context of His conversations with other Jews. From the role of ancient rabbis and rabbinic literature to portrayals of Jesus in the Talmud, Dr. Instone-Brewer reveals how Jesus’ teachings were influenced by His Jewish life. We see Jesus attending the Jewish festivals, interacting with the Jewish leaders and laypeople and teaching them about the Father that He came from, was representing, and was going back to.
What does hospitality look like for the authors of the New Testament? Dr. Joshua Jipp presents the biblical concept of hospitality through a thorough examination of the relevant literature in Luke-Acts, the Gospel of John, and the Pauline Letters. The course begins by exploring the ancient background of hospitality as practiced in the Graeco-Roman world and ancient Israel. Dr. Jipp pays particular attention to Jesus because the hospitality that he practiced, as both guest and host, became the exemplar for the apostles and the early church, and should be the model that the church exhibits today. Jipp’s masterful study of a common, yet understudied, theme in the New Testament is highly organized, exegetically sound, and theologically stimulating, thus giving this course great potential for application in the local church and beyond.
In Paul the Letter Writer, Jeffrey A. D. Weima uses epistolary analysis—also called the letter structure approach or form criticism of letters—to exegete Paul’s letter to Philemon. He shows how the four sections of the letter—opening, thanksgiving, body, and closing—each contain elements to persuade the recipient of the letter to grant a request that was the primary purpose of the letter. Dr. Weima introduces and defines a number of first century epistolary conventions and demonstrates how Paul’s use of and deviations from epistolary conventions help the reader better interpret his letters. You’ll come away from the course with a better understanding of the structure and form of first-century letters and of how to use these conventions to interpret Paul’s letters.
Modern interpreters of Paul’s writings have typically assessed these texts in light of the exegetical and theological work of John Calvin, Martin Luther, and Philip Melanchthon. In the last few decades, a contrasting interpretive outlook—the “New Perspective” on Paul—has been articulated and developed by N.T. Wright and other scholars. This New Perspective, relying on a different set of assumptions regarding the Jewish context in which Paul lived and wrote, presents a different understanding of many of Paul’s core teachings. This Mobile Ed course offers a focused description of both the traditional perspective and the New Perspective, comparing them to one another and allowing students to assess Paul’s view of man, conscience, and sin. You will be led through an example text, providing you with interpretation skills that will allow you to explore the New Testament and determine the true relationship between faith and works in each text.