Biblical Studies: Content, History, and Theology

Understanding biblical texts requires examining their ancient cultural contexts, literary forms, and core theological ideas. This text-based course offers an accessible, academic foundation for reading both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament with analytical depth and clarity. You will develop the critical reading skills needed to interpret ancient literature, trace major thematic developments, and engage with modern scholarship. What you'll learn: Understand the historical, socio-political, and cultural backgrounds of ancient Israel and early Christianity; Analyze core literary genres across the biblical canon, including narrative, poetry, prophecy, and epistles; Explore central theological concepts such as covenant, ethics, redemption, and kingdom; Examine the historical formation of the canon, translation traditions, and textual criticism basics; Apply modern hermeneutical tools to evaluate diverse interpretations and literary structures. The course begins with key terminology, historical timelines, and canonical divisions before guiding you through structured readings and contextual analysis. This material is designed for beginners, lifelong learners, and students of history or religion with no prior background in biblical languages or theology. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in biblical scholarship and literature.