RS 1120-Hist 1775-Cl 1430 Dr.

Denova

T/Th 2:30-3:45 412-600-9280 (home)

rid4@pitt.edu
Office Hours: “Face-time,” by arrangement

Please note: Fall classes begin on 8/19/2020 and end 11/20.

The University is currently in “elevated risk” mode. The first week of classes are all online.
Depending upon circumstances, if the University moves to “guarded risk,” some classes
may be resumed on campus. However, there are restrictions on class size in “guarded
risk.” The enrollment for this class is currently over that restriction level. Therefore, as of
now, all the classes/assignments will be online.

I am holding to the schedule of lectures each T/TH at the new time of 2:50-4:05.
The classes will be offered in a synchronous manner, a combination of two formats (live
lectures through “Zoom” at the class times (which will be automatically recorded) and
written lectures of the same material. If the situation changes at any time during the
semester, I will inform you immediately.

If it is necessary for you to come to campus, it is incumbent upon everyone to 1) wear a

face-mask and 2) maintain social-distancing. Please refer to the University policies for The
CDC guidelines and further details.
________________________________________________________

Lectures for each unit. The full lectures will be posted on the above days. You can print them
out and have a permanent copy (which helps when it is time to review for the exams). However,
you can read them at any time during the week (if you have child-care issues, health or domestic
situations, or reside in a different time-zone). Following the schedule does help to organize your
time and study habits. The lectures are combined with highlights of the assigned readings. It is
often helpful to have the assigned readings done before you read the lecture.

After posting each lecture, I will be sending an email to encourage you to let me know about
anything in the lecture that was not clear, and any questions you may have.

Communications: Students are encouraged to contact me at either rid4@pitt.edu or by phone,

412-600-9280 (and to do “face-time”). Please keep your email uncluttered, as this is the most
productive way for me to reach you with additional instructions as they arise.

Textbooks: The required textbooks have been ordered at the Book Center. You can now do your
order on line but contact the Book Center for specific arrangements for the “pick-up.” They are
also available on amazon.com. Hillman Library has them but contact the Library on ways in
which to access the texts, as the Library has made changes to its system (and e-books).

Examinations: There are three examinations for the course in the format of multiple-choice.
Every class is different, so the dates for the first two examinations are tentative (depending upon
how much of the material has been absorbed). However, you will be given at least two weeks-
notice before each exam. In your Course Documents you will find a Study Guide for each one.
Exam #3, will be posted on the last day of class, Thursday, November 19.

PLEASE NOTE: All the examinations are open-book. You are permitted to use all class
notes, readings, consult with your priest, minister, or rabbi, and the Internet. (However, be
careful of some of the Wikipedia articles, as they sometimes have errors). You can also
email me or call if you need more clarification on a question. At the same time, you can also
share information with each other. You can let me know if you want your email shared
with the class (I cannot do it without your permission).

Course Description: Origins of Christianity and the New Testament

How did a Galilean itinerant preacher become the leader of a world religion? What do we really
know about the historical Jesus? This course is designed to (1) introduce the student to the
figure of Jesus of Nazareth in his contemporary religious, social, and cultural setting (Second
Temple Judaism in Roman Judea), and (2) to explore the origins and growth of the movement
that came to form around his memory and message in the first century. We will examine each
gospel in detail, paying particularly attention to changes in the material over time, explore the
world of Paul and his innovative concepts that are foundational for the emergence of Christianity
in the Roman Empire, and conclude with one Christian’s apocalyptic hope at the turn of the first
century.

Course Objectives:

1. Students will be able to identify issues in the study of religion from a critical and historical
perspective.

2. Students will be able to analyze the influential writings of the first century of Christian
literature that have played a formative role in the history of Western civilization.

3. Students will be able to trace the various ways in which religious ideas are constructed within
a historical, cultural, political, and economic context.

Course Requirements:

Books:

1. The main textbook will be the HarperCollins Study Bible, the New Revised Standard
Version (NRSV), Wayne Meeks, ed., HarperCollins San Francisco, 1997, paper, ISBN-10-
0060655275. This is available in the University Book Center. You can actually use any
Bible, but this one is annotated, cross-referenced for other passages, and has wonderful
maps. It also has the most accurate translation; the King James’ version is glorious
Elizabethan English, but as such does not help us understand first century thinking.

Note: All the books of the Bible are available on line as well. However, please pull up the
translation known as NRSV, the New Revised Standard Version. That is the version I use
in the lectures.

2. The second required text is Paula Fredriksen's From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the
New Testament Images of Jesus, Yale University Press, 2nd edition, 2000, ISBN-10-
0300084579, also available in the Book Center in paper. This book is important for
understanding the methods by which the gospels and other New Testament documents
were constructed and emphasizes the various points of view of the individual authors in
changing circumstances.

3. The third required book is E. P. Sanders's Paul: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford
University Press, 2001, ISBN-10-0192854518, available in the Book Center in paper. This
short volume will be particularly helpful for understanding the background of the letters to
the Galatians and Romans, as well as Paul's attitude concerning Jewish Law and his
Christology (the study of the nature of Jesus).

4. In addition to the required texts, you will find a “Course Reader for Origins” posted on
Canvas. These documents contain various essays and charts in one convenient form, with
material not covered in the regular assignments or supplementing material covered only
briefly in the lectures. You are responsible for this additional information.

Attendance: For this semester, there are no attendance regulations. However, depending upon
circumstances (if the campus goes back to in-class participation), this will be addressed at a later
date.

Plagiarism: The University of Pittsburgh Policy on Academic Integrity, are on the Arts and
Sciences website, under “Policies and Procedures.” This element is going to be difficult to
monitor in an “online” semester. However, you are on your honor. What this means is that you
should not “share” your exams with another student before emailing them to me.

Celebrating Diversity: The University of Pittsburgh recognises and values perspectives

experienced by different cultures and backgrounds. For a diverse population to cohere as an
interactive community, it is important that its members be aware of the opinions of others and
the contributions they bring to our endeavor. This class will respect the diversity of race,
nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnic background, and differently-abled.

Disabilities: If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation,
you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services (DRS),
140 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890, drsrecep@pitt.edu, (412) 228-5347 for P3 ASL users,
as early as possible in the term.  DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable
accommodations for this course.

PLEASE NOTE: Disability elements that require specific access to a room, etc. will not be
necessary for the current conditions. However, many students require extended time on
examinations. You will most likely not need to contact the office for this, as the Exams will all
be due three days after they are posted.
E-Mail Policy: Each student is issued a University e-mail address (username@pitt.edu) upon
admittance. This e-mail address may be used by the University for official communication with
students. Students are expected to read e-mail sent to this account on a regular basis. Failure to
read and react to University communications in a timely manner does not absolve the student
from knowing and complying with the content of the communications. The University provides
an e-mail forwarding service that allows students to read their e-mail via other service providers
(e. g., Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo). Students who choose to forward their e-mail from their pitt-edu
address to another address do so at their own risk. If e-mail is lost as a result of forwarding, it
does not absolve the student from responding to official communications sent to their University
e-mail address. To forward e-mail sent to your University account, go to http://accounts.pitt.edu,
log onto your account, click on Edit Forwarding Addresses, and follow the instructions on the
page. Be sure to log out of your account when you have finished. (For the full E-Mail
Communication Policy, go to www.bc.pitt.edu/policies/policy/09/09-10-01.html).

Samples of what you may receive in an e-mail for this class include: dates for the class
examinations, and any supplementary material that may be posted on Canvas. It is the student’s
responsibility to keep track of this material.

Exams/Evaluation:

Three examinations will be given in class, consisting of multiple-choice questions, drawn from
the readings and lectures. The exams will be given after specific units are completed and are
noted on the syllabus. There are Study Guides in your Course Reader for each exam. The points
will vary depending upon class progress at the time of each exam. Your grade will be based on
the cumulative score for all three. If there are extenuating circumstances that prohibit you
from completing the exam by the due date (illness or domestic situations) please contact
me.

Due to the nature of the large amount of material in this course, three-unit exams are given
instead of a mid-term and a final. There is no final exam in this course.

Please Note: The above methods of evaluation are the only methods that will be employed in
this class. Students often ask for the opportunity to do “extra credit” projects at the end of the
semester in an attempt to elevate their grade. However, “extra credit” opportunities would have
to be offered to the entire class in terms of fairness. It has been my experience that even the “A”
students would want to do this, but I cannot take on additional work at the end of the semester
(where we have a time limit to submit grades). To avoid such problems, please be committed at
the beginning of the term to do the work that is required. I am eager to help you with your
assignments before the examinations, so please take advantage of my offer with pertinent
questions.

Grading Scale:

94-100, A 70-73, C
90-93, A- 66-69, C-
86-89, B+ 62-65, D+
82-85, B 58-61, D
78-81, B- 54-57, D-
74-77, C+ ----53, F

The three examinations will vary in their total points, usually 110 to 150 points per exam. At the
completion of all three examinations, I will take the total points and apply the above scale. I will
“round up” one level. For example, if your overall percentage is 89.75, you will move to 90.
Your scores will be available on Canvas.

Lectures/Reading Assignments (Please note: The syllabus is subject to change.)

PLEASE NOTE: I will keep you informed each week as to where we are on the syllabus.

I. Thursday, August 20: Introduction to the Course. The images and understanding of Jesus
of Nazareth have had two thousand years in which to evolve in the Western tradition. What tools
and methods do modern scholars apply in order to begin the process of reconstruction of the
original contexts of the message of the gospels?

1. Goals: problems of approach and presuppositions

2. The professional field of New Testament and Hellenistic Jewish studies
3. The problem of sources:
a. languages
4. Reading ancient texts––the problem of anachronism.
5. Theology and history; history and "story."
6. General terms.

Reading: Fredriksen, "Introduction," ch. 1; Course Reader: “Who was the “real” Jesus of
Nazareth?” “The Basic Story of Jesus of Nazareth;” "Some Representative Methods of Biblical
Criticism.”

2. Tuesday, August 25: The Jewish Context. Jesus of Nazareth was a Jew and proclaimed a
message that had relevance in a Jewish world of meaning. When Jesus proclaims the coming of
the “kingdom,” how did his audience understand what this entailed? To understand his context,
we must understand the traditions of Israel.

1. Historical Israel and Biblical tradition.

2. Kingship, prophecy, and exile.

Reading: Ch. 5 in Fredriksen, pp. 70-77; Course Reader: “Biblical Timeline;” “The
Documentary Hypothesis;” "The Mosaic Covenant at Mount Sinai;" "How to Read the Law
Codes of Leviticus;” “The Prophets of Israel;” "Jewish Restoration Theology.”

Suggested Biblical Passages: PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to read all of the Jewish
Scriptures. But if you are interested in learning more about the passages I talk about in class, and
particularly about the way in which later New Testament writers use this material, then you can
look at the following:

Genesis 1-3; 6-9; 12:1-9; 16, 17:1-27; 37, and 49. Exodus 1-4; 12-14, 20, and 32. Leviticus 18-
20. Deuteronomy 6:1-15. Scan the stories in the book of Judges. I Samuel 1-6; 8:1-22, 16 and
17. II Samuel 1-2; 6-7; 11-12. The stories of Elijah and Elisha in the book of Kings. Isaiah
10:24-14:2; 42:5-43-11; 49-54;54: 65:13-17. Amos 9:7-8; 9:9-15. Jeremiah 31:1-34, and 52.

3. Thursday, August 27: Continue with the History of Israel

4. Tuesday, September 1: Continue with the History of Israel.

5. Thursday, September 3: Continue with the History of Israel.

6. Tuesday, September 8: Continue with the History of Israel.

7. Thursday, September 10: Hellenistic Judaism. As Israel became a country under foreign
occupation by the Greeks, Judaism itself had to adapt to the new conditions. Specifically, how
does one maintain one’s Jewishness and still interact with the world at large?

1. the Diaspora
2. the process of Hellenization.
3. the Seleucid Empire
4. Apocalyptic Literature
5. Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Reading: Chs. 2 and 4; Ch. 5 in Fredriksen, pp. 77-86; Course Reader: “The Concept of Satan
in Biblical Literature;” “Apocalyptic Eschatology;” "The Apocalyptic Tradition;" “The Enoch
Literature;” “Developing Views of 'Resurrection.’”

Suggested Biblical Passages; I Maccabees 1-2; 4:36-59; II Maccabees 6-7; Daniel 7:1-18:27.

Tuesday, September 15: Continue with Hellenistic Judaism.

Thursday, September 17: Continue with Hellenistic Judaism.

Tuesday, September 22: Israel Under Roman Occupation. The immediate context for the
teaching of Jesus is related to the history of the Roman occupation of Judea, and Roman puppet
kings in the Galilee. What are the messianic expectations of Israel during the period?

1. Herod the Great

2. Sects, Messiahs, prophets, Zealots, and "bandits"
3. The Revolt against Rome

Reading: Fredriksen, ch. 5, pp. 86-93; Course Reader: "Jewish Sects of the Second Temple
Period."
Thursday, September 24: Continue with Israel Under Roman Occupation.

EXAM # 1 (Posed on Tuesday, September 29, tentative)—Study Guide in the Course

Reader and Canvas.

Thursday, October 1: The "Historical" Jesus of Nazareth. How does Jesus of Nazareth fit
with contemporary messianic expectations? How do we learn to read the gospels in their
historical, cultural, and literary settings?

1. Sources: The Synoptic Problem

2. Jesus in the gospel tradition

Readings: Fredriksen, chs. 3, 6 and 7; Course Reader: "John the Baptist;" ““Philo on
Pilate;" “Josephus on Pilate;” “The Chronology of the Passion;” “Examples of Mark’s ‘Conflict
Dialogues;’” "Synoptic Examples of Redaction;" Excursus: “The Secret Gospel of Mark;” “The
Gospel of Matthew (in brief);” “The Kingdom Sayings;” "Luke's 'Great Banquet' Parable;"
“Luke's 'Intertextual' Application of Scripture;" "Narrative Parallelism in Luke-Acts;" “Two
Conflicting Pictures of Jesus;” “Highlights of the Gospel of John;” “Jesus and Women;” “The
Harrowing of Hell.;” “Outline Notes for the Gospels.”

a. The Gospel of Mark (entire);

b. The Gospel of Matthew (entire);

c. The Gospel of Luke/The Acts of the Apostles (entire);

d. The Gospel of John (entire).

[NOTE: We will examine the canonical gospels individually, beginning with Mark. You
may be familiar with the gospels, but this course is designed to teach you to read the
material critically and to understand the relationship between the texts. This is particularly
important for understanding the literary relationship between the gospels, and the
evolution of thought from Mark through John. Start with Fredriksen's synopsis of each
gospel (pp. 18-51), then read the gospel, and finish with Fredriksen, chapters 6 and 7.]

An additional Study Aid is available for this course and I encourage everyone to take
advantage of it. Google, “From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians.” This site was
developed in conjunction with a PBS Frontline program produced several years ago.
There are four DVD’s that you can watch as well as extra supplementary essays, charts and
discussion on all the material that will be the focus of my lectures. Please note: This
website is NOT a substitute for reading the Fredriksen book or the New Testament. It is
available simply to enhance both the readings and the lecture, and at the same time the
DVD’s provide scenes of the events covered in the gospels and Paul. The third DVD will be
extremely useful for the second exam, in an attempt to be able to distinguish the portraits
of Jesus in the gospels.
Tuesday, October 6: The Gospel of Mark

Thursday, October 8: The Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus

Tuesday, October 13: The Gospel of Matthew

Thursday, October 15: The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Tuesday, October 20: Continue with Luke-Acts.

Thursday, October 22: The Gospel of John

Tuesday, October 27: Continue with John

Thursday, October 29: Exam #2, tentative. Study Guide in Course Reader and on Cavas.

Tuesday, November 3: The Jesus Movement in the Diaspora (The First “Christians”).
Within a few decades of the death of Jesus, the movement that centers around him spread to the
cities and towns of the Roman Empire. Surprisingly, the message is more widely accepted
among gentiles (non-Jews, Greeks and Romans), then Jews. How and why did this happen, and
what are the implications for the movement?

a. Paganism, Hellenistic religious expression, and philosophy

b. Paul.
c. The Pauline Corpus.

Readings: Fredriksen, chs. 8, 9 and 10 (pay attention to her argument for the evangelists’
application of apocalyptic concepts to the historical Jesus in 8 and 9); Sanders, Paul (entire);
Galatians (entire); I Corinthians (entire); Romans (entire); Course Reader: “Pagan Religion;”
"Philosophy as a 'Religion';" "The Development of Resurrection in Early Christian Tradition;"
“Introductory Lecture on Paul;” “Paul and the Corinthians;” "Suggested Development of the
Importance of Gentiles in Early Christianity."

Thursday, November 5: Continue with Paul

Tuesday, November 10: Identify Formation. The end of the first century of the Common Era
sees Christianity on its path to becoming a separate and independent religion from Judaism.
What are the factors that contribute to this separation, and how does Christian theology begin to
evolve in light of both their independence and their persecution by the state?

a. Judaism and Christianity.

b. Reaction and the historical problem of persecution.
c. Ecclesiastical Organization

Readings: I Timothy (entire); 1 Peter (entire): Course Reader: “The Pastorals”

Thursday, November 12: The Delay of the End. Although the early movement was motivated
by hopes of an imminent return of Christ, as time passed, adaptations were required to explain
his non-appearance and the non-appearance of the “kingdom.” In addition, this interim time was
one of persecution and suffering. We will consider the theological explanations of suffering and
death, and the way in which one Christian (John of Patmos), foresaw an end to current suffering
and the hope of ultimate salvation.

Readings: The Revelation to John (entire); Course Documents: “The Imperial Cult;” "The
Apokalypsis of John of Patmos, Explained."

Tuesday, November 17: Finish with Revelation.

Thursday, November 19: Exam #3 posted. Study Guide in the Course Reader and Canvas.