Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

Norwegian

Recommended previous knowledge

REL117, REL101

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students shall:

Knowledge

  • Have knowledge about various versions of Jesus in The New Testament and how different Christian denominations interpreted and still interpret these
  • Have knowledge about the contents and presentations of Jesus in texts that were not included in the Christian Bible
  • Have knowledge about how Jesus is depicted in popular literature and/or popular culture
  • Have knowledge about central academic discussions related to reception, canonising and theology in early Christianity
  • Have knowledge about diversity in early Christianity and various perspectives on Christianity’s early history

Skills

  • Be able to analyse and assess questions related to how the lines between orthodoxy and heresy are created, in the past and today
  • Be able to discuss questions related to the status and authority of various texts, and different canonising processes in Christianity
  • Be able to discuss how translations of the Bible influence the understanding of Jesus and early Christianity

General competences

  • Be able to discuss and analyse the relation between history writing and ideology
  • Be able to apply and communicate central knowledge about different persuasions and interpretations in early Christianity and draw some lines to the present day

Contents

During the course, students are introduced to the disputes that defined Christianity, decided which creed should prevail and which texts should be included in the Bible. Students are familiarized with different presentations of Jesus in the New Testament and in texts that were not included in the Bible. The course relates early Christianity to current contexts and reveals how the lost creeds still influence what is included and excluded in the Christian creed.

The student is familiarized with the ways in which Christian denominations interpreted and interpret texts about Jesus in the New Testament, and gets an insight into how this interpretation history still influences how the Bible is read, used and translated. The course expands on how main denominations within Christianity today perceive themselves in relation to alternative Christian creeds and discusses how certain ideologies or representation traditions may influence the understanding of Jesus and Early Christianity.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and seminars. The workload is estimated at 270 hours. The teaching takes place in the first half of the semester. The examination takes place during the main period for mid-term examinations.

Examination requirements

There are two examination requirements: 1) A multiple-choice test must be approved, and 2) attendance requirements in the digital study groups must be met. More information about the requirements will be published on Canvas when the semester starts

Examinations

  • A digital product, like a video, a podcast, a home page or a blog (50%). Individual or in groups. Further information will be given when the semester starts.
  • An individual oral examination (50%)

Both examinations must be assessed as a pass. Graded assessment.

Student evaluation

The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Offered as a free-standing course

Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 7:56:54 AM