My name is Dan Lowery, and I'll be your instructor for this class. Thank you so much for joining us — I can't wait to get started with you all. I currently serve as the President at Pillar Seminary, as well as an Associate Professor of New Testament. You can read a short bio about me here. You can reach me at dlowery@pillarseminary.org.
I'm also delighted to introduce Lauren Lowery to you, who heads up our Lunchtime Seminary initiative and will also help out with our class here. You can reach Lauren at llowery@pillarseminary.org.
I've divided my standard "course introduction" video into 2 smaller, more manageable chunks for you. The first is my welcome and course goals, and the second is more of the "nuts and bolts" of the class.
Thursdays from 12:00–1:00p central starting 11 Sept (link / code: LTSLuke)
We've set up a Slack Channel for this class (#lukefall2025), so you can continue to interact with your classmates outside of class, if you'd like.
All of the resource recommendations Dan makes in videos or in class can be found in this shared Google Doc.
The Old Testament Context
Watch: Start Here (3:05); BP Story of the Bible (5:38); BP OT Overview (12:44)
Read: Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Psalm 89:19-37; Isaiah 40:1-11
Materials: Class Guide (this is not homework — we will work on this together in class); Chalkboard Timeline; Chalkboard Prophetic Hope; Dan's Visualizing the Bible
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The Second Temple Jewish Context
Watch: Start Here (3:41); The Second Temple Period (17:59); BP NT Overview (8:18); Bonus: Resources for Further Study (7:04)
Read: Daniel 11–12; Psalm 2; Mal 3:13–4:6
Materials: Class Guide; Map & Timeline; Chalkboard Kingdom Hope; Video Slides
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Luke 1:1–2:52
Watch: Start Here (1:40); Storyline and § Overview (10:16); BP Gospels (5:47); BP Luke 1–2 (5:06)
Read: Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-8; 22:15-17; Luke 1:1–2:52; Bonus (discussed in class): Dead Sea Scroll 4Q246 (with terms found in Gabriel's announcement to Mary); Dictionary of New Testament Background entry on "Pax Romana"
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions); Luke Outline Template (Word/Pages/Google Doc/PDF); Chalkboard Luke 1–2 Table
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Luke 3:1–4:13
Watch: Start Here (1:38); Luke § Overview (9:09); BP Luke 3–9 (5:08); BP Gospel (4:31)
Read: Luke 3:1–4:13; Matthew 1:1-17; Mark 1:1-15; Bonus (discussed in class): Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (2nd ed.) entry on "Genealogy"
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions); Synopsis Index; Synopsis Example
Classtime Recording
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Luke 4:14–9:50, pt. 1
Watch: Start Here (3:22); Luke § Overview (9:20); BP Luke 1–9 (8:17); Bonus: Luke's Conflict Panels (4:46)
Read: Luke 4:14–6:49; Matthew 5–7 (Sermon on the Mount); Mishnah Kelim 1:7–9 (look for the "Purity Map" they construct with the "ten grades of holiness")
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions)
Classtime Recording
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Luke 4:14–9:50, pt. 2
Watch: Start Here (3:02); Luke § Overview (9:42); BP Parables (5:31); BP Holiness (5:59)
Read: Luke 7:1–9:50
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions); Luke-Acts Outlines
Classtime Recording
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Luke 9:51–19:27, pt. 1
Watch: Start Here (); Luke § Overview (7:33); BP Luke 10–24 (7:48); BP Eternal Life (5:30); BP Sabbath (5:16)
Read: Luke 9:51–13:9
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions)
Classtime Recording
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Luke 9:51–19:27, pt. 2
Watch: Start Here (); Luke § Overview (); BP Luke 9–19 (4:29); BP Gospel of the Kingdom (4:50); BP Generosity (5:11)
Read: Luke 13:10–19:27
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions); Chalkboard Mammon
Classtime Recording
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Watch: Special § Overview for weeks 9–10 (15:26)
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Luke 19:28–24:43, pt. 1
Watch: BP Luke 19–23 (4:06); BP Temple (4:40)
Read: Isa 56:1-8; Jer 7:1-15; Zech 9–14; Luke 19:28–22:6
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions)
Classtime Recording
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Luke 19:28–24:43, pt. 2
Watch: BP Luke 24 (4:58); BP Covenants (5:25); BP Witness (4:17)
Read: Luke 22:7–24:53; ; Matt 28; Mark 16:1-8; John 20–21
Materials: Class Guide (see instructions)
Classtime Recording
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