1. Introduction: Why Study the New Testament?

Introduction to New Testament (RLST 152)
This course approaches the New Testament not as scripture, or a piece of authoritative holy writing, but as a collection of historical documents. Therefore, students are urged to leave behind their pre-conceived notions of the New Testament and read it as if they had never heard of it before. This involves understanding the historical context of the New Testament and imagining how it might appear to an ancient person.
00:00 - Chapter 1. Why Take This Course?
13:23 - Chapter 2. The Bible As A Historical Text
24:17 - Chapter 3. Imagining An Ancient's Perspective
30:45 - Chapter 4. Q&A
35:08 - Chapter 5. Going over the Syllabus
Complete course materials are available at the Yale Online website: online.yale.edu
This course was recorded in Spring 2009.