This course introduces students to the historical study of earliest
Christianity as found in the New Testament.  How did a group of
Jewish followers of a prophet names Jesus become a religion that
worshipped Jesus as “Son of God”?  After an introduction to the Greco-
Roman world, we will study the letters of Paul; Jesus and the
gospels; and the development of the early churches.  Students will
read the entire New Testament as well as the Gospel of Thomas and the
Acts of Paul and Thecla.  Textbooks:  Wayne A. Meeks, ed., "The
Harper Collins Study Bible"; Bart Ehrman, "The New Testament:  A
Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings"; Burton
Throckmorton, "Gospel Parallels"; R220 Course Reader.