This Sunday, March 21, I will be giving TWO live Zoom lectures for anyone who wants to come.  They will be recorded for my undergraduate course on the New Testament and there will be a 30-minute Q & A to follow the second one.

There is no charge per se, but I would like to ask for a donation to the blog in exchange, if you can see your way clear to do it.  If not, that’s fine – we all have our circumstances!  But one of the main reasons I’m doing these lectures is to raise money for the Food Bank of North Carolina; as with all food banks right now, it is in desperate need.  Your donation is completely tax deductible. To make a donation now, go to the blog home page and scroll to the bottom to find the blue “One-time Donation” button.

Here is the info you need:

  • Time: Sunday, March 14, 2:00 pm  and 3:15 pm (EST)
  • The Lectures will last about 50 minutes, with Q&A to follow the second.

First Lecture:  The Death and Resurrection of Jesus:  From Crucified Messiah to Divine Redeemer.  This lecture deals with the two most important events narrated in Gospels, but from a historical, not religious, perspective.  Jesus’ crucifixion is the best attested event in his life.  But what actually happened?  And why did it happen?  Were Romans always crucifying people who taught their followers to love their enemies?  Soon after Jesus death, his followers said he had been raised from the dead.  That marks the beginning of Christianity.  But what actually happened?  Is there anything historians can actually say about the most important claim in the entire Christian tradition, that God did a great miracle, bringing his Son back to life?

Second Lecture: The Life of the Apostle Paul: His Conversion and Its Consequences.  The apostle Paul was the most important figure in the history of Christianity, after Jesus.  Over half the books of the New Testament claim to be written by him, and arguably he was more important than any one else in proclaiming a message that salvation would come only to those who believe in the death and resurrection.  But he started out as a violent opponent of Christianity.  What can we know about his life, his conversion, his missionary activity, and his surviving letters?   Is it true the he was the true founder of Christianity?

As you know, these lectures are meant to raise money for those in need (see below).  Can you donate a bit?  My suggested minimum donation is $10 for one of the lectures and $15 for both together (there is no maximum donation!).

Three participants will be allowed to ask the questions at the end.  These will be the three highest donors.

In weeks past we have had a number of people donate $100; to be among the top three, you’ll probably need to go to about that level.  Whatever you donate, if anything, is completely up to you.  And everyone, donor or not, is absolutely welcome to hear the Q&A.  The last few weeks we have heard some terrific questions.  On these two I expect some toughees.  Bring ’em on!

In case you wondered, I have no plans to make these lectures generally available.  The recordings will be for my class only.

If you want to attend, all you need do is respond by letting us know, here: Register for my Sunday Lectures

New! As soon as you register, you will receive a Zoom link via email from [email protected].

If you have any questions about how it will work, let me know.