About this course

This course is free because of the generosity of our Vision Partners.

In this course, Dr. Matthew Halsted gives you a first-class ticket from the twenty-first century to the era of Jesus and the first Christians as he introduces you to the historical, theological, and social environment surrounding the New Testament period, the late second temple period (516 B.C. – A.D. 70). Dr. Halsted puts you in the front seat as he focuses your attention on the history of the second temple period and the theological and social developments within the Greco-Roman world. As he places the New Testament and early Christianity in its original context, you’ll gain a solid foundation for understanding and interpreting the New Testament.
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Course objectives

After completing this course, you'll be able to:

  • Explain the historical surroundings of the Second Temple period.

  • Analyze the theological and social developments within Second Temple Judaism.

  • Describe the relevant aspects of Greco-Roman culture in the first century.

  • Recognize the socio-cultural challenges of the early Christian movement in the first-century Palestine and the Mediterranean world.

Course outline

    1. About this course

    2. What you'll learn

    3. What you need

    4. Instructor

    1. Pre-work 01

    2. Session 01

    3. Quiz 01

    4. Discussion 01

    1. Pre-work 02

    2. Session 02

    3. Quiz 02

    1. Pre-work 03

    2. Session 03

    3. Quiz 03

    4. Discussion 03

    1. Pre-work 04

    2. Session 04

    3. Quiz 04

    1. Pre-work 05

    2. Session 05

    3. Quiz 05

    4. Discussion 05

Jewish and Greco-Roman Backgrounds of the New Testament

  • Free
  • 8.5 hours of video content
  • 11 Modules

Additional course details:

  • Difficulty level: 4

    The learning difficulty for this course is 4 out of 5. It is recommended for advanced students and above.

  • Unlimited access

    You receive unlimited access to the course once you enroll.

  • Certificate of completion

    You automatically receive a certificate of completion once you finish the course.

Instructor

Dr. Matthew Halsted

Dr. Matthew Halsted is an associate professor of biblical studies at Eternity Bible College. His educational background includes degrees in internal studies and philosophy. He earned a PhD in philosophical hermeneutics/biblical studies from London School of Theology/Middlesex University. An ordained minister, Matthew’s calling is to equip Christians with the tools they need to be gracious, well-reasoned, and convincing witnesses for Christ. He has a passion for teaching students how to read the Bible faithfully with curiosity and careful reflection. His research interests include philosophical hermeneutics, Paul’s writings, and apocalyptic literature. When he is not reading obscure German philosophers or the Greek/Hebrew Bible, he can usually be found playing in the yard with his kids or being elated with the joy that comes with being married to the best wife in the world.

Certificate program

Earn credit towards the Certificate of Biblical History when you complete this course.

View certificate program

What our students are saying

5 star rating

Rad course actually.

Jessie Marie

This was a epic deep dive into the this era and biblical world view. Well taught, easy to follow. Uplifting course to take really. Enjoyable.

This was a epic deep dive into the this era and biblical world view. Well taught, easy to follow. Uplifting course to take really. Enjoyable.

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5 star rating

Good overview of the background in understanding the New Testament better

Harold Guthrie Chamberlain, III

This course was a good balance of how to take on the mindset of Jewish and Greco- Roman background so that we are viewing the Bible from their perspective.

This course was a good balance of how to take on the mindset of Jewish and Greco- Roman background so that we are viewing the Bible from their perspective.

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5 star rating

Great course!

Sheryl Strathman

This course presented great information to help you understand the cultural setting for the New Testament. I was a bit sad to complete it but it has inspired me to keep digging.

This course presented great information to help you understand the cultural setting for the New Testament. I was a bit sad to complete it but it has inspired me to keep digging.

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5 star rating

Excellent course and enjoyed every module

Joe Forest

***** Using this course for a hermeneutics class study. NT Wright book was extraordinary. Dr. Halstead was consistently good. Motif connections between OT and NT were excellent.

***** Using this course for a hermeneutics class study. NT Wright book was extraordinary. Dr. Halstead was consistently good. Motif connections between OT and NT were excellent.

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5 star rating

Profoundly Practical

Wayne Chandler

To be honest, I was looking for some more theology. Surprisingly I found myself discovering new testament believers living with the same political unrest we experience in 21st century politics. I actually moved my end times perspective further awa...

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To be honest, I was looking for some more theology. Surprisingly I found myself discovering new testament believers living with the same political unrest we experience in 21st century politics. I actually moved my end times perspective further away from a “world ending” to a more “the fields are white unto harvest”, world view. Probably just me but truly it was an eye opener to understand it was no picnic for those early believers. They were facing a reality that would require one to know, “under to stay” (hupomenṓ). Dr Halstead also has a very user-friendly vocabulary not requiring an open dictionary while listening to his lectures. I highly recommend this coarse for a mind opening experience that will cause one to consider historical context.

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