AN ADVISORY NOTE ON THE ACADEMIC STUDY OF RELIGION
This is a course in the history of
religion. In examining the development of Christian ideas, principles, and
doctrines over the last twenty centuries, we will look critically at the various
forces – political, social, economic, philosophical, etc. – which shaped
that development. Because our critical analysis will be academic in nature, it
will allow for wide-ranging discussions that may come into conflict with
specific theological teachings. Certain ground rules are therefore in
order.
THE USE OF THE BIBLE
In the first third of the course, Bible texts
will be used extensively in our search for information about the views of early Christian
communities and about the Historical Jesus, the man who lived and
taught in first-century Palestine. (We distinguish this individual from the
post-resurrection figure, The Christ of Faith.) In this regard, the Bible will
be used as a historical rather than religious source. It will not be viewed as The
Word of God, but as the words of first-century men; not as Gospel
(inviolate teaching) but as gospel (a literary genre, a form of
preaching); not as historical truth, but as a historical text from which truths may be
extrapolated. It will be compared to other historical records to determine the context in
which it was written and the relative validity of its historical portrayal of the person
Jesus. All participants in this class should agree to operate within this
analytical framework. Those who cannot look rationally and critically at matters and materials touching on faith,
should reconsider taking the course.
SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
We will examine New Testament
writings for contextual meaning within the framework of the early church
doctrinally, geographically, politically, and organizationally. We will utilize
various texts to examine the teachings of Jesus, of Paul, of John
the Evangelist etc. Multiple meanings have historically been suggested for different
passages. We will examine various interpretations, some now considered
"orthodox" and others now considered "heretical."
Interpretations are to be judged on the degree to which they are supported by the
scripture itself and our understanding of the context in which it was written, not on
whether any individual or Church agrees with it.
FAITH IN AN ACADEMIC CONTEXT
This does not mean that students must
disregard the teachings of their faith. In fact, this course invites a
dialogue between personal belief and inquiry that can enrich, deepen, and
strengthen one's faith. In our discussions, however, any position based on faith
alone or on some teaching that comes from a person or text whose purpose is
strictly religious will not be accepted as a valid argument. All such
opinions must be placed in an academic context and supported with documentary evidence
from a historical source.
For examples of the ways scholars who
are also believers think about the dialogue between faith and scholarship look
at Reconciling
Faith with an Historical Approach to the Bible, part of a
PBS site on historical study of Jesus.