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KRIS4106 - Family and Asceticism in the Theology of Jesus and Paul

Course content

The New Testament constitute the basis for Christian preaching and teaching. Family and marriage are very important issues in Christian teaching, and are often regarded as central to Christian views on ethics, anthropology and society. Therefore it is often taken for granted that they play this role in Jesus’ teaching and in the New Testament in general. And household and marriage were central institutions in the Hellenistic world of the time,justified thorugh cosmology and religious beliefs. But many New Testament texts have a different message in that hey are critical of family and marriage and instead advocate asceticism. A focus on texts about family and asceticism therefore provides unique insight into the dilemmas and conflicts the Jesus movement and Early Christian groups faced in establishing themselves in their Hellenistic and Jewish contexts. These texts give insight into the roots of Christianity in Judaism and the formation of Christianity in its non-Christian, Hellenistic environment, through cultural integration and dialogue but also through counter-cultural stands and confrontation.

Learning outcomes

The course will give a broad overview of the importance of family, household and marriage in the world of the first Christians. On that basis, you will investigate the positions of the historical Jesus and the first Christian traditions in the gospels and in Paul on these issues. By comparisons of texts with different positions, you will become aquinted with central issues in New Testament studies and with the discussion of the development from the historical Jesus to oral traditions, the first written sources and finally the canonical gospels. The special focus on asceticism will provide a new perspective on the cultural context of earliest Christianity, and encourage you to reflect on the difference between 1st century and the modern, Western world with regard to ideals for Christian identity. Thus, thorugh the the course you will become aware of how our interpretations of sacred texts are always situated in a context. The diversity of students in the class will provide you with an opportunity to compare contexts and interpretations.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

80 studypoints in Theology and Christianity or Religion.

Overlap

KRIS4104 - New Testament Theology

Teaching

Lectures with discussions. The course is a compact course with 4 hours per week in the first part of the semester.

Exam information

Three day home exam. 3000 - 4000 words.

Exam resources

No special exam resources are allowed.

Language of examination

The language of examination is Norwegian. You can apply to the administrators of the course to be given the exam text in English. It is possible to submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

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