Objectives: To engage the multiple perspectives on the ministry and person of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the canonical Scriptures of the Church—as the fulfillment of Jewish messianic hope, as the reception of the proclamation of this new “way” of salvation throughout the Roman worl—with attention to the development of the Christian way and what it can teach us today.

Learning Goals: Students will be able to: a) articulate the mission and identity of Jesus as sent by God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit, b) explain the opportunities and challenges of preaching the way of Jesus throughout the Roman empire, and c) gain new insight into the opportunities and challenges of evangelization today.

Contents: The course will introduce the literature, history, and theology of the New Testament. This will include the world of Jesus and the early Church, Jesus’ mission as death and resurrection, Paul’s evangelization of the Roman world, the four Gospels, early Christian mission and life, later developments in the life of the Church.

Methodology: This will comprise a mix of lectures, seminar discussion, and site visits.

Means of evaluation: Learning will be demonstrated by two-page responses to assigned prompts, three 750-word essays, and an in-class comprehensive essay.