COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to help participants understand the formation of, and the messages contained in, the Gospel and the letters ascribed to John, as well as their theology and the relationship of the Gospel according to John with the Synoptic Gospels. Participants will also be introduced to the development of Gnosticism and some of the Gnostic Gospel writings, such as those ascribed to Thomas, Peter, Mark, and Judas.
COURSE PURPOSE: To gain insight into how the Gospel and letters ascribed to John, as well as some of the non-canonical Gospels, came into existence and to examine their contents, message, and theology.