RTS 1947 - Sinners, Saints and the Sacred

Credits: 4

Humans have a long and complex history with what is often called “the sacred,” “the divine,” “the holy,” or God. This course examines human understandings of and reactions to the sacred through narrative. The course begins with the foundational figure in Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth, by engaging in an academic study of the gospels. We will employ the methods of modern biblical criticism to examine the stories and interpretations of the life and teachings of Jesus. The course then moves to the life, thought, and legacy of a seminal figure in Western Christian history, Augustine of Hippo. The course concludes with an examination of select religious narratives from the contemporary period and/or other religions.
Fulfills: RTS requirements in LS Core