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Introduction to New Testament (RLST 152)
In ancient times, documents that were falsely attributed to an author, called pseudepigrapha, were a common phenomenon. Both the Letters to the Colossians and Ephesians are most likely pseudonymous works attributed to the Apostle Paul. The writer of Colossians assures his readers that they already possess all the benefits of salvation and do not need to observe rules concerning feast days, Sabbaths, and worship of the angels. Ephesians seems somewhat based on Colossians, although it reads more like an ethical or moral treatise. Both letters differ from Pauline Christology in their realized eschatology and high Christology.
00:00 - Chapter 1. Ancient Pseudepigraphy
10:42 - Chapter 2. The Pseudepigraphic Letters to the Colossians and Ephesians
22:21 - Chapter 3. The Occasion of the Writing of Colossians
37:15 - Chapter 4. The Letter to the Ephesians as Treatise
42:26 - Chapter 5. Major Differences between Colossians and Ephesians and Pauline Christianity
Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website:
This course was recorded in Spring 2009.
Introduction to New Testament (RLST 152)
In ancient times, documents that were falsely attributed to an author, called pseudepigrapha, were a common phenomenon. Both the Letters to the Colossians and Ephesians are most likely pseudonymous works attributed to the Apostle Paul. The writer of Colossians assures his readers that they already possess all the benefits of salvation and do not need to observe rules concerning feast days, Sabbaths, and worship of the angels. Ephesians seems somewhat based on Colossians, although it reads more like an ethical or moral treatise. Both letters differ from Pauline Christology in their realized eschatology and high Christology.
00:00 - Chapter 1. Ancient Pseudepigraphy
10:42 - Chapter 2. The Pseudepigraphic Letters to the Colossians and Ephesians
22:21 - Chapter 3. The Occasion of the Writing of Colossians
37:15 - Chapter 4. The Letter to the Ephesians as Treatise
42:26 - Chapter 5. Major Differences between Colossians and Ephesians and Pauline Christianity
Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website:
This course was recorded in Spring 2009.
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What is New Testament?The New Testament is the second part of the Christian biblical canon. The first part being the Old Testament, based on the Hebrew Bible. The New Testament discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christianity. Christians regard both the Old and New Testaments together as sacred scripture. The New Testament (in whole or in part) has frequently accompanied the spread of Christianity around the world. It reflects and serves as a source for Christian theology and morality.
Who was Apostle Paul?Paul the Apostle (Latin: Paulus), commonly known as Saint Paul and also known by his Jewish name Saul of Tarsus was an apostle (though not one of the Twelve Apostles) who taught the gospel of Christ to the first century world. Paul is generally considered one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age and in the mid-30s to the mid-50s AD he founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe. He took advantage of his status as both a Jew and a Roman citizen to minister to both Jewish and Roman audiences. According to writings in the New Testament and prior to his conversion, Paul was dedicated to persecuting the early disciples of Jesus in the area of Jerusalem. In Acts, Paul was traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus on a mission to 'arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem' when the resurrected Jesus appeared to him in a great light. He was struck blind, but after three days his sight was restored by Ananias of Damascus and Paul began to preach that Jesus of Nazareth is the Jewish Messiah and the Son of God.
Who is Dale Martin?Dale Martin (born 1954) is an American New Testament scholar. He is Woolsey Professor of Religious Studies at Yale University. He has degrees from Abilene Christian University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Yale. Martin previously taught at Rhodes College and Duke University. Martin was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2009.
