For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have followed the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, called Messiah or Christ in the New Testament. Indeed, no other person has had such a wide-ranging and powerful impact on the history of the Western world. This has compelled scholars and the faithful alike to undertake the quest for knowledge about his life.
Now, you too can take this quest. In this series, you will explore the ways in which contemporary scholarship, scripture, and our culture have approached the life of Jesus. Your guide, Professor David Zachariah Flanagin, is both a historical scholar and Catholic educator, providing a singular and faithful perspective into this fascinating and inspiring subject.
First, you will consider the major issues surrounding knowledge about JesusÕ life. Next, you will look at three well-known reconstructions of
Audio Sample:
Embark on the quest for the historical Jesus.
For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have followed the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, called Messiah or Christ in the New Testament. Indeed, no other person has had such a wide-ranging and powerful impact on the history of the Western world. This has compelled scholars and the faithful alike to undertake the quest for knowledge about his life.
Now, you too can take this quest. In this series, you will explore the ways in which contemporary scholarship, scripture, and our culture have approached the life of Jesus. Your guide, Professor David Zachariah Flanagin, is both a historical scholar and Catholic educator, providing a singular and faithful perspective into this fascinating and inspiring subject.
First, you will consider the major issues surrounding knowledge about JesusÕ life. Next, you will look at three well-known reconstructions of Jesus in the work of contemporary scholars. Finally, you will explore the most fruitful line of inquiry into the historical Jesus: research that situates him firmly within the world of first-century Palestinian Judaism.
The portraits of Jesus do not end here. This course, however, will help you to understand the key issues, the illuminating insights, and the problematic uncertainties that surround the fundamental question, “Who is Jesus?”
As you embark on this journey, you will deepen both your faith and understanding. Begin this quest today.
Your Free Electronic Study Guide! When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide that you can access in 3 convenient ways:
1) You can check your order confirmation email. It will include a link that enables you to download your guide.
2) The back of your program package also contains a copy of this link. You can access your guide by simply entering this URL into your browser.
3) Your case of CDs or DVDs will contain a copy of your electronic guide on CD. Simply insert this disc into your computer’s CD/DVD drive to access your guide.
Looking behind the Gospels: The Oral Window and Translation
Genre and Redaction
Redaction as Transformation
What Do We Mean by the Phrase, “The Historical Jesus”?
Understanding the Evidence for Jesus
A Shadow of What Is To Come: Typological Interpretation
Theme II: Radical Portraits of Jesus
Jesus, the Near-Eastern Sage
Double Dissimilarity
Multiple Attestation, Coherence, and the Coptic Gospel of Thomas
Jesus, Jewish Mystic
Jesus, Social Reformer
Why Did Jesus Die?
Jesus, Cynic Philosopher
Magic and Meal
Theme III: Jesus in His Jewish Context
Jesus the Jew
The First-Century Jewish Context
Diversity and Conflict in First-Century Judaism
Jesus in Conflict with the Jewish Leadership
Jesus, Herald of the Kingdom, Part I
Jesus, Herald of the Kingdom, Part II
The Resurrection
9 reviews for The Historical Jesus: Understanding Jesus’ Life, Times, and Ministry
Rated 5 out of 5
Joseph O., CA –
2015 Spring Survey
Flanagin’s Historical Jesus: his conversational yet very informational teaching style invites a type of “dialogue” response, plus (finally) the use of video enhancements – photos, summaries, glossaries – to go along with the mere filming of the instructor.
Rated 5 out of 5
Edward –
Balanced study with good Theology.
Best analysis that I have come across. Balanced study with good Theology.
Rated 5 out of 5
Joseph –
The selection and development of topics gives an excellent general overview, allowing one to go into more depth when desired.
Dr. Flanagin’s style of teaching, a sharing of information gleaned from his studies, reflection, and experience, in a conversational tone (rather than pedantic, academic) brings one (me) into “the class” more personally and vibrantly. His selection and development of topics gives an excellent general overview, allowing one to go into more depth when desired.
Rated 5 out of 5
John D. –
His presentation is lucid and enthralling.
Zachariah Flanagin is thoroughly conversant with the subject matter and the contemporary scholarship about Jesus. His presentation is lucid and enthralling. I use it as a major resource in my course on Jesus.
Rated 5 out of 5
William M., IA –
Fall Survey: October 2016
It is challenging, creative, and easy to understand.
Rated 5 out of 5
Tom –
Very fair
A very fair, articulate introduction into the subject matter.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kathleen –
Well-organized
Dr. Flanagin is exceptionally knowledgeable and scholarly, but his presentation style is accessible and he is easy to listen to. The course was well-organized and the content was presented in a logical sequence that made it easy to follow along. Dr. Flanagin covered an incredible amount of information in a concise and succinct manner, and made even challenging concepts and complex topics understandable. I would recommend this course without reservation.
Rated 5 out of 5
John J S., PA –
Summer Survey: July 2017
The Historical Jesus: It provides accurate and scholarly information, but it is easily accessible to the educated non-theologian.
Rated 5 out of 5
Gene K. H., FL –
Summer Survey: July 2017
The professor’s delivery and the content were excellent. He described the work of others, like the Jesus Seminar, but he expressed original thoughts and ideas as well. His view of Jesus as prophet, teacher, healer, social rebel, and messiah were thought provoking.
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Joseph O., CA –
2015 Spring Survey
Flanagin’s Historical Jesus: his conversational yet very informational teaching style invites a type of “dialogue” response, plus (finally) the use of video enhancements – photos, summaries, glossaries – to go along with the mere filming of the instructor.
Edward –
Balanced study with good Theology.
Best analysis that I have come across. Balanced study with good Theology.
Joseph –
The selection and development of topics gives an excellent general overview, allowing one to go into more depth when desired.
Dr. Flanagin’s style of teaching, a sharing of information gleaned from his studies, reflection, and experience, in a conversational tone (rather than pedantic, academic) brings one (me) into “the class” more personally and vibrantly. His selection and development of topics gives an excellent general overview, allowing one to go into more depth when desired.
John D. –
His presentation is lucid and enthralling.
Zachariah Flanagin is thoroughly conversant with the subject matter and the contemporary scholarship about Jesus. His presentation is lucid and enthralling. I use it as a major resource in my course on Jesus.
William M., IA –
Fall Survey: October 2016
It is challenging, creative, and easy to understand.
Tom –
Very fair
A very fair, articulate introduction into the subject matter.
Kathleen –
Well-organized
Dr. Flanagin is exceptionally knowledgeable and scholarly, but his presentation style is accessible and he is easy to listen to. The course was well-organized and the content was presented in a logical sequence that made it easy to follow along. Dr. Flanagin covered an incredible amount of information in a concise and succinct manner, and made even challenging concepts and complex topics understandable. I would recommend this course without reservation.
John J S., PA –
Summer Survey: July 2017
The Historical Jesus: It provides accurate and scholarly information, but it is easily accessible to the educated non-theologian.
Gene K. H., FL –
Summer Survey: July 2017
The professor’s delivery and the content were excellent. He described the work of others, like the Jesus Seminar, but he expressed original thoughts and ideas as well. His view of Jesus as prophet, teacher, healer, social rebel, and messiah were thought provoking.