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Overview

A study of the different portraits of Jesus in selected New Testament documents, including discussion of various titles used for Jesus, Christological themes and the development of views about Jesus as this can be seen in the New Testament.

This paper focuses on the way the New Testament presents the person of Jesus. One way to consider this is by looking at the portrait of Jesus in some key New Testament texts - the Gospels of Mark and of John, the writings of Paul, the Book of Revelation. We will also look at some key titles used for Jesus in the New Testament - Son of God (as part of looking at Mark's Gospel), Lord (as part of looking at Paul's Christology) and Son of Man. An important part of the topic is looking at 'the historical Jesus' - what can we know about Jesus as a figure of history and about his ministry, its aims and outcomes? We will also discuss some important themes or areas of study related to our topic - the way belief about Jesus developed in the very early years of the Christian Church, belief in Jesus' resurrection and the ways that feminist scholars have studied the New Testament Christology.

About this paper

Paper title Jesus in the New Testament
Subject Biblical Studies
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period(s) Semester 1 (Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus)
Delivery mode The Distance Learning offering of this paper involves in-person assessment
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,103.10
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
36 points
Restriction
BIBS 326, BIBX 226, BIBX 326
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Theology
Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
Contact

Professor Paul Trebilco: paul.trebilco@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff
Lecturer: Professor Paul Trebilco
Paper Structure

Outline of the course:

  • The Christology of Mark
  • The Christology of Paul
  • The Development of Christology
  • The Historical Jesus
  • Son of Man
  • The Christology of John
  • The Resurrection
  • Feminist Christology of the New Testament
  • The Christology of Revelation
Teaching Arrangements

Campus: 2 one-hour lectures per week

Distance: 6 videoconferences, and a teaching day in Wellington

Textbooks

Readings will be available on Blackboard. No textbook is required.

Course outline
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Lifelong learning, Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this paper students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the various portraits of Jesus in a range of New Testament documents
  • Explain the common features of different New Testament Christologies and outline the unique features of different strands of the New Testament
  • Explain the development of Christology, as this is evident in the New Testament
  • Demonstrate understanding of various Christological titles and Christological themes
  • Identify key issues in the interpretation of selected New Testament texts
Assessment details
  • Minor assignment (1,200 words) 15%
  • Major assignment (2,500 words) 35%
  • Exam (two hours) 50%

Overview

A study of the different portraits of Jesus in selected New Testament documents, including discussion of various titles used for Jesus, Christological themes and the development of views about Jesus as this can be seen in the New Testament.

This paper focuses on the way the New Testament presents the person of Jesus.

One way to consider this is by looking at the portrait of Jesus in some key New Testament texts: the Gospels of Mark and of John, the writings of Paul and the Book of Revelation. We will also look at some key titles used for Jesus in the New Testament: Son of God (as part of looking at Mark's Gospel), Lord (as part of looking at Paul's Christology) and Son of Man. An important part of the topic is looking at "the historical Jesus:" what can we know about Jesus as a figure of history and about his ministry, its aims and outcomes? We will also discuss some important themes or areas of study related to our topic: the way belief about Jesus developed in the very early years of the Christian Church, belief in Jesus' resurrection and the ways that feminist scholars have studied the New Testament Christology.

About this paper

Paper title Jesus in the New Testament
Subject Biblical Studies
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Not offered in 2027 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
36 points
Restriction
BIBS 326, BIBX 226, BIBX 326
Schedule C
Arts and Music, Theology
Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an enquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
Contact

Professor Paul Trebilco

Teaching staff
Lecturer: Professor Paul Trebilco
Paper Structure

Outline of the course:

  • The Christology of Mark
  • The Christology of Paul
  • The Development of Christology
  • The Historical Jesus
  • Son of Man
  • The Christology of John
  • The Resurrection
  • Feminist Christology of the New Testament
  • The Christology of Revelation
Teaching Arrangements

Campus: two 1-hour lectures per week.

Distance: six video conferences and an optional teaching day in Wellington.

Textbooks

Readings will be available on Aoroa. No textbook is required.

Course outline
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Lifelong learning, Critical thinking.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

At the end of this paper students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the various portraits of Jesus in a range of New Testament documents.
  • Explain the common features of different New Testament Christologies and outline the unique features of different strands of the New Testament.
  • Explain the development of Christology, as this is evident in the New Testament.
  • Demonstrate understanding of various Christological titles and Christological themes.
  • Identify key issues in the interpretation of selected New Testament texts.
Assessment details
  • Minor assignment: 15% (1,200 words)
  • Major assignment: 35% (2,500 words)
  • Exam: 50% (2 hours)
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