Courses

Course Overview Please join me as we explore the birth of the English Bible.  Most people know that the Bible was first mass produced in Germany on the Gutenberg printing press.  However, in this course we are going to examine the particular journey of the English Bible.  We begin with early efforts to translate the Bible into English during the Middle Ages.  We then acknowledge the first complete Bible in English by John Wycliff in the 14 th century, followed by the work of Erasmus and the first Greek New Testament, the Coverdale and Matthews Bible, followed by the Tyndale Bible, Great Bible and the Bishop’s Bible.  We conclude this course with an examination of the King James Bible.  We are certain that you will find this course informative and inspiring.

​ Course Overview ​ This engaging course offers a comprehensive exploration of Alexander the Great's life and his significant impact on the early Christian Church. Comprising seven video lectures, study questions, and interactive discussion sessions, the course covers Alexander's victories over the Persians, his worship as a god in Egypt, and his complex sexuality, exploring both homosexual and bisexual aspects. Dive into the transformative effects of Alexander's conquests and the spread of Hellenistic culture, which created a conducive environment for the spread of Christianity. Examine how his legacy influenced early Christian missionaries, shaped early Christian thought, and facilitated the incorporation of Greek philosophy into Christian doctrine. Discover the profound ways in which Alexander the Great and Hellenism influenced many of the early doctrines and beliefs of the New Testament Church. Join us for an enlightening journey that reveals the enduring impact of one of antiquity's greatest figures on the foundation of the Christian faith. What Students Will Learn ​ In this course, students will learn about the life and conquests of Alexander the Great, with a focus on his victories over the Persians, his deification in Egypt, and his complex sexuality, including homosexual and bisexual aspects. Through seven video lectures, study questions, and discussion sessions, students will explore the cultural and historical context of Alexander's empire and its profound influence on the early Christian Church. They will examine how the spread of Hellenistic culture under Alexander provided fertile ground for the dissemination of Christianity, influenced early Christian missionaries, and facilitated the integration of Greek philosophy into Christian doctrine. By the end of the course, students will have a deep understanding of how Alexander the Great and Hellenism shaped many of the early doctrines and beliefs of the New Testament Church.

The Apostolic Fathers were a group of early Christian writers who lived in the first and second centuries AD and were believed to have direct or indirect connections to the apostles, the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Their writings hold significant importance in church history as they provide valuable insights into the development of Christian doctrine, the organization of early Christian communities, and the challenges faced by the early Church.

The Apostolic Fathers include prominent figures such as Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp of Smyrna. Their writings, which consist of letters, epistles, and theological treatises, offer a glimpse into the post-apostolic period, shedding light on the practices, beliefs, and concerns of the early Christian communities.

One of the key themes in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers is the preservation of apostolic tradition and the defense against emerging heresies. They emphasized the importance of maintaining doctrinal purity and unity within the Christian communities, often providing guidance on issues such as ecclesiastical order, moral conduct, and the proper interpretation of scripture.

Additionally, the Apostolic Fathers played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the early Christian Church. Their writings reflect the establishment of a hierarchical order, with bishops, presbyters (priests), and deacons emerging as distinct roles within the Christian communities. The development of the episcopal structure, along with the emphasis on apostolic succession, became foundational elements in the organization of the Church.

This is a Super Mini-Course on the life of Celsus who may have been largely responsible for the rise of Christian Apologists in the first three hundred years of the church's history. The course includes three lessons and a final exam to demonstrate to students how much they have learned on this subject.