History of Early Christians

March 28, 2023

This course is a survey of the Christian movement from its origins to circa 160 CE, stressing its continuity and discontinuity with Judaism, various responses to Jesus of Nazareth, writings produced during this period, the Jesus movement’s encounters with its religious, social, and political world(s), and various methods of research pertinent and applicable to the study of Christian origins. The learning outcomes of this course include becoming acquainted with the history, literature, and material remains of early Christians in and around the decades following the time of Jesus; analyzing the controversies that facilitated the emergence of early “orthodox” Christian beliefs, practices, texts, ethics, and communities.