THEO 202
Introduction to Biblical Studies
Fall 2026
Topics
- Biblical canons, composition and transmission
- Ancient Near Eastern history
- Pentateuch and Torah
- Historical books
- Prophets
- Wisdom literature
- Historical context of Jesus
- Synoptic Gospels
- Johannine and non-canonical gospels
- Pauline literature
Readings
- Stephen L. Harris, Exploring the Bible, 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, 2014.
- The Bible in an acceptable modern scholarly translation; free NRSVue access is provided.
- The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. Oxford University Press, 2018; source inconsistently labels the edition “Augmented Third Edition (5th ed.).”
- The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
- Crossway, ESV Outreach New Testament.
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026–2027
- Syllabus or course outline ↗Fall 2026
- Textbook required; purchasing a Bible is optional if a suitable free or existing version is used. Source’s inconsistent Oxford Bible edition wording is preserved in the recommendation.