KRIS4106 – Family and Asceticism in the Theology of Jesus and Paul
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The New Testament constitute the basis for Christian preaching and teaching. Family and marriage are very important issues in Christian teaching, and are often regarded as central to Christian views on ethics, anthropology and society. Therefore it is often taken for granted that they play this role in Jesus’ teaching and in the New Testament in general. And household and marriage were central institutions in the Hellenistic world of the time,justified thorugh cosmology and religious beliefs. But many New Testament texts have a different message in that hey are critical of family and marriage and instead advocate asceticism. A focus on texts about family and asceticism therefore provides unique insight into the dilemmas and conflicts the Jesus movement and Early Christian groups faced in establishing themselves in their Hellenistic and Jewish contexts. These texts give insight into the roots of Christianity in Judaism and the formation of Christianity in its non-Christian, Hellenistic environment, through cultural integration and dialogue but also through counter-cultural stands and confrontation.
Learning outcome
The course will give a broad overview of the importance of family, household and marriage in the world of the first Christians. On that basis, you will investigate the positions of the historical Jesus and the first Christian traditions in the gospels and in Paul on these issues. By comparisons of texts with different positions, you will become aquinted with central issues in New Testament studies and with the discussion of the development from the historical Jesus to oral traditions, the first written sources and finally the canonical gospels. The special focus on asceticism will provide a new perspective on the cultural context of earliest Christianity, and encourage you to reflect on the difference between 1st century and the modern, Western world with regard to ideals for Christian identity. Thus, thorugh the the course you will become aware of how our interpretations of sacred texts are always situated in a context. The diversity of students in the class will provide you with an opportunity to compare contexts and interpretations.
Admission
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If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
80 studypoints in Theology and Christianity or Religion.
Overlapping courses
Teaching
Lectures with discussions. The course is a compact course with 4 hours per week in the first part of the semester.
Examination
Three day home exam. 3000 - 4000 words.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English. If you would prefer to have the exam text in English, you may apply to the course administrators.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.