Theology of Christianity

Why do you think scholars have often suggested that St. Paul does more to influence the direction and theology of Christianity than Christ himself? Who is Paul’s ministry aimed at? How and why did he write these Epistles? What were the early communities that Paul addressed in his letters like? How does Paul’s Roman citizenship aid in his spread of the faith? (one of the Part I segments: 6, 7, 8, 9 of the online version or one of the Part II segments: The Apostle Paul, The Spread of Christianity, Jews and Gentiles, Peter & Paul in the video version.

In Sacred Readings:

Infancy Gospel of Thomas
http://www.gnosis.org/library/inftoma.htm

Didache
http://www.thedidache.com/

Obviously, you will not have to do all of these readings to answer the required questions and certain questions may require additional outside research. However, make sure to watch at least a segment of the From Jesus to Christ series. If I do not see you have used it I will take off points.

Learners will be required to watch various segments of: From Jesus to Christ (a PBS documentary on early Christianity). You may watch the online version by going to: www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion or you may borrow or rent the video. Since this is a four-hour series, students will obviously not be required to watch the entire video.