This is an ongoing class (students can enroll at any time) that explores the treasury of biblical literature from the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament from multiple historical, and academic perspectives by leading scholars in academia. 

This class is prepared especially for young learners.   The material will be made approachable just for them.  For parents, the following is a (very) technical class description that reveals the approach to preparing lesson plans.  But the actual lessons and classes will be delivered so that teenage learners will easily find each class informative and engaging !  

Religious Studies is an academic discipline not based in any religious tradition.   It is a historical science that uses the findings of archeology and the objective analytical tools of literary analysis, redaction analysis, genre analysis, hermeneutics, intertextual exegesis, and other such means to investigate the manuscript tradition, historical intentions, and reception history of these ancient texts.  The aim is to reveal as objectively as possible the significance of biblical literature for each of the Abrahamic faiths and for world history, and to provide students with an appreciation their timeless relevance as literature.  This class is not based in any religious tradition nor opposed to any.  It is history and literature, pure and simple.  

Academic scholars speak of "the world of the text" when discussing reported religious figures and events, and make no determination with respect to their ultimate reality.  This is how scholars achieve respectful neutrality and objectivity in our analyses.  Instead, metaphysical claims are treated as literary constructs within those texts; they are part of a narrative that reveals the worldview of the authors, which in turn shaped history, especially that of the emergent apostolic church as it is discussed in the New Testament literature itself.  

The class is structured as an interactive university-style lecture followed by a "question and answer" period with myself and between other students.  The difficulty of the subject matter has been reduced and made appropriate for learners 12-17 years old.  The class, therefore, may be considered "college prep" for those students going on to higher education, yet it will be fully accessible to everyone, regardless of education goals.  An interest in the subject matter is all that is needed.  No prior knowledge of ancient history, literature, or the Abrahamic traditions is required.  This class is fully open to those students just wanting to learn about the bible for the first time!

Here is the list of sequential topics for the ongoing class.  Student may join at any time.  

1. New Testament - The Gospel of Mark  

The traditional author Mark is identified by several scholars as most probably a reference to John Mark, while others have challenged the view of a single historical figure being responsible for its composition.  We will explore this, as well as the gospel's particular focus on what are referred to as its "pericope" structure, and look for what these scholars believe was the Gospel's intentions.

2. New Testament - The Gospel of Matthew  

Intertextual analysis reveals parallels in the presentation of the biography of Jesus with the life of Moses.  We will explore these parallels (for example, how the five books of the Torah are paralleled in the structure of the Gospel of Matthew).   

3. New Testament - The Gospel of Luke

Luke wrote as a self-identified historian, who later became part of the unfolding narrative himself (the "we" sections in the Book of Acts that begin in chapter 16).  As the longest Gospel, it contains much original material not found in the other gospels.  We also explore his unique perspectives by looking at the findings of multiple scholars.  

4. New Testament - The Gospel of John

The Gospel of John stands apart when compared to the three synoptic gospels of Mark, Matthew, and Luke.   This gospel will be compared and contrasted with the synoptics to explore its uniqueness.  Special topics to be discussed is the Johannine prologue, the seven sign discourses, and the "two endings" identified by scholars (the Chapter 21 epilogue) and their significance in light of scholarly findings.  The complex issue of Johannine authorship will be discussed later.  

5.  Hebrew Bible and New Testament - The Book of Acts (two weeks)

We return to Luke with the Book of Acts, which documents what the author claims to be the history of the early church.  Special attention is given to Paul's speech to the Greek philosophers at the Areopagus, and to Luke's description of Pentecost in relation to Judaic tradition, and the intertextuality with the Hebrew Bible as discussed by leading scholars.

6. New Testament - The Book of Hebrews

The author of this letter is not identified, and its literary characteristics are very distinctive.  This has lead scholars believe it was someone familiar with the Apostle Paul, but who had his own particular interests in writing this letter (Apollos being a likely candidate for several scholars).  We will examine its message, the intended audience, historical setting, and probable intentions.  The hypothesis by several scholars is that this sermon was written for Jewish converts to Christianity being threatened by Roman persecution will be discussed in reference to its theme of warning against apostasy.  

7. New Testament - The Apostle Paul 

Much of the New Testament was purportedly written by Paul, who has his own fascinating story as revealed in epistles and the Book of Acts.  We will discuss his biography as discussed by several leading scholars in academia.     

8. New Testament - The Epistle to the Romans 

Using the analyses of leading scholars, this Pauline epistle will be discussed in terms of its role in the establishment of the church in Rome, the historical setting and circumstances, and its differences with the Epistle to the Hebrews, and what this all means for understanding both letters today.

9.  New Testament - The "Prison Epistles" of Paul (two weeks)

These two classes examines the Epistles to the Philippians and the Colossians (week 15) and Ephesians and Philemon (week 16) that are believed to have been written when Paul was imprisoned in Rome.  Themes to be explored include Gnosticism and the interesting history of the person known as Onesimus (which is also mentioned by Ignatius of Antioch) as discussed by leading scholars.  

The Next Classes 

The course topics will then repeat for students who newly enroll and want to learn about subjects they missed.  Or, alternately, each section will move on to the Hebrew Bible (each book in sequence), if the section students wish.