I am teaching a class at the University of Prince Edward Island this semester. “RS 387: The New Testament” is one of my favourite courses to teach. I love the world that the Jesus movement emerged out of–a cultural mess that no film has captured for me just yet. Jesus was a Jewish peasant, a member of a minority culture within a brutal empire. As Jews longed for a deliverer, Jesus made the claim that he was there to deliver them. Ultimately, this claim led him to be executed as a terrorist by the Roman authorities.
Early followers of Jesus claimed that this execution was not the the final chapter of the story. They claimed that Jesus rose from the dead and instituted a new era for believers.
Yet all the tensions of empire continued. And they continue still.
The life of Jesus and the story of his early followers is captured in the New Testament. This video, an introduction to my class at UPEI this semester, talks about what the New Testament is and how you can get into it. It references my article, “Lost in Translation,” about finding a Bible that works for you (see also this article). Everything is yellow because I am in a generic hotel room, in a land where they believe that this much yellowness is a good idea.
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Brenton Dickieson (PhD, Chester) is a father, husband, friend, university lecturer, and freelance writer from Prince Edward Island, Canada. You can follow him:
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Succint. Engaging. I’m remembering my undergraduate time in biblical studies, classes such as Old Testament Fiath, the Gospels, Western Civilization. Most viewed through a Reformed Church in America sense, taught by professors who were usually pastors, who went through the arduous (my impression anyway) of learning Greek, at miniumm, and Hebrew, as well. I found it fascinating stuff. Bored the pants off of many of my classmates. Who’d a thunk Christianity was so complex?
I am teaching a class at the University of Prince Edward Island this semester. “RS 387: The New Testament” is one of my favourite courses to teach. I love the world that the Jesus movement emerged out of–a cultural mess that no film has captured for me just yet. Jesus was a Jewish peasant, a member of a minority culture within a brutal empire. As Jews longed for a deliverer, Jesus made the claim that he was there to deliver them. Ultimately, this claim led him to be executed as a terrorist by the Roman authorities.
Brenton, I loved this introduction. Will you be recording any more of your lectures?
I’m not sure Susan, but I hope it’s less yellow!
I understand! We’ve subscribed to your YouTube channel, so we’ll be on the lookout.
The empire keeps on striking back! But the light shines in the darkness and the darkness will never put it out!
Revelation is like episode 7, 8, and 9.
Succint. Engaging. I’m remembering my undergraduate time in biblical studies, classes such as Old Testament Fiath, the Gospels, Western Civilization. Most viewed through a Reformed Church in America sense, taught by professors who were usually pastors, who went through the arduous (my impression anyway) of learning Greek, at miniumm, and Hebrew, as well. I found it fascinating stuff. Bored the pants off of many of my classmates. Who’d a thunk Christianity was so complex?
Tis complex, though it has a simplicity at its centre, I think. But it was that critical learning that slowly drew me into the deeper life.