WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADULT CLASS –   GREAT FIGURES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT –  a Video course with lectures by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, professor at Vanderbilt University, combined with Bible study led by Dr. Ernie Hess, pastor St. Andrews. This week’s figure: The Virgin Mary

“In Great Figures of the New Testament Professor Amy-Jill Levine of the Vanderbilt University Divinity School does an excellent job of bringing several individuals to life. Not only does she discuss well-known individuals such as Pontius Pilate, James, and Philip but also important groups and individuals who are not specified by name such as the Centurions, the woman at the well, the shepherds, and others. Professor Levine deftly discusses details of the person from the perspectives of the Biblical stories, culture, literary criticism, how the church has viewed the person through history, and how artists and worshippers have viewed them. Probably one of the most fascinating aspects of the course is how she brings their personalities to life based on how they spoke, acted, or reacted within the confines of their culture.

“Some of the many figures discussed include Elizabeth and Zechariah, John the Baptist, Joseph, Mary and Martha, Lazarus, the Samaritan woman, Pharisees and Sadducees, Thomas, James, John, Judas Iscariot, Stephen, Philip, Paul, and Jesus.” [Harold McFarland, Regional Editor at Midwest Book Review]

CLASS SCHEDULE:

Session 1 – Introduction to Study of the New Testament

Session 2 – John the Baptist

Session 3 – The Virgin Mary

Session 4 – Joseph, Magi, and Shepherds

Session 5 – Peter

Session 6 – John and James, the Sons of Zebedee

Session 7 – Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Session 8 – “Doubting” Thomas

Session 9 – The Gentile Mother

Session 10 – The Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son

Session 11 – The Samaritan Woman

Session 12 – Mary Magdalene

Session 13 – Pharisees and Sadducees

Session 14 – The Herodians

Session 15 – Judas Iscariot

Session 16 – Pontius Pilate

Session 17 – James

Session 18 – Stephen

Session 19 – Philip

Session 20 – The Centurions

Session 21 – Paul, the Hero of Acts

Session 22 – Paul, the Epistolary Evangelist

Session 23 – Jesus of Nazareth

Session 24 – The Christ of Faith

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of New Testament Studies, and Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School and the College of Arts and Sciences.