Weeks Three and Four

Greetings!
In lieu of our cancelled class, I put together an assignment that would bring us up to date with the readings and course presentations. 
As far as the course text, you should have read up to chapter 4.
As a review and to set the stage to discuss the plurality of the first three centuries of Christianity, I would like for you to view a few sections of the PBS documentary, "From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians." I found YouTube clips that are easier to  download etc...

The First Section is on the story of the apostolic movement of the first century with a focus on Paul
Here is the Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD2guEX9Jpg

Watch the first two minutes (in order to get a sense of the context of the productions) and then move your cursor to the 54 minute mark. Watch until the end.
Key points:

• Diversity of early Christianity (Dr. Elaine Pagels)
• "Jesus movement" - an understanding that early "Christians" saw themselves as part of Judaism - 106" mark
• It is because of diaspora Judaism (Jews living outside of Israel or Judea)  that Christianity spreads.
• The first council - Council at Jerusalem - Acts 15 -https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+15
• The passing of the first generation of followers of Jesus
• The First Jewish revolt to overthrow Rome in 66 C.E. (Common or Christian Era) that led to the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E.

For the Second Section I would like for you to view the very important development of the Gospels and the various "views" of Jesus the early church expressed. This section is 51 minutes and begins with the story of Masada. Christianity was born during an age of renewal and conflict. You can skip the beginning and go to the 5' 08" to being Or watch from beginning....no matter.

• Focus on the diversity of early "Christian or Christianities" thought.
• Early persecution stories
• The Gospels present different ways of interpreting Jesus. 
• Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0pfQ2ZBe2Q

For the Third Section, we will view the following link in class and discuss the various heresies and views of Jesus emerging out of the first three centuries of Christianity. Handouts will be provided along with a power point presentation. I will focus on the all important creeds of the Church in response to various heterodox (heresies) views about Jesus.

 Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_jY2E8I_mA