Saturday, January 18
@
2:00 pm
–
4:00 pm
Dates
January 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 22, 2025
Saturday 2:00- 4:00 PM EST
The class will taught on Zoom. The class tuition is $80. If the course is being taken for UWSI credit there is an additional $45 fee.
Sponsor
Unity of Gaithersburg
111 Central Ave
Gaithersburg, MD
Course Instructor
Jane McCarthy LUT
Course Description
In this course, students will use the Gospels and other literary sources outside of the Christian Scriptures to learn concepts that Jesus taught and the methods he used to teach his disciples. Students will learn these teachings based on what we believe Jesus taught rather than what others taught about him and his work. The quest for the historical Jesus will be discussed helping to better understand the Gospels propagating the theology rather than the history of Jesus. Writings outside of the Gospels such as the Nag Hammadi texts will be examined to provide a closer look at the teachings of Jesus.
Course Learning Objectives
On completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Apply the teachings of Jesus to situations in their own lives.
- Examine the historical Jesus information and compare with one’s own theological
viewpoint to recreate an understanding of who Jesus was.
- Refer to Christian Scripture sources to understand the life and teachings of Jesus.
- Describe writings from outside the Christian Scriptures that illustrate Jesus’ teachings.
- Formulate a critical understanding of Jesus’ life and his teachings.
Required Text/Reading
- Reading the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus J. Borg (2001)
- The Bible (New Revised Standard Version)
- Other required videos and readings listed in Course Schedule and Assignments
Recommended Text/Readings
- Heart-Centered Metaphysics, Paul Hasselbeck (2010)
- The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels
- Beyond Belief by Elaine Pagels (2013)
- Why Religion by Ellaine Pagels (2018)
- The Zealot by Reza Asian (2013)
- More about Q and the Gospel of Thomas, M Mellowes, Frontline,
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/story/qthomas.html
- Ogun Holder, “How to Hold our Anger with Wisdom”, Spirituality and Health, 12/2024
Full Sylabus
