This summer Harvard University is offering an open online course, ‘Christianity Through Its Scriptures’. This 4-week course helps in exploring how diverse Christians have interpreted these writings and practised their teachings over a 2000 year, global history.

In this free online course, applicants will learn about Christianity through a study of its sacred scriptures. This course is part of the World Religions Through Their Scriptures XSeries Program.  The course is Self-Paced.

Course At A Glance

• Length: 4 weeks
• Effort:  3-5 hours/week
• Subject: Christianity through its Scriptures
• Institution: Harvard University and edX
• Languages: English
• Price:  Free
• Certificate Available: Yes. Add a Verified Certificate for $50.
• Session: Self-Paced

Providers’ Details

Harvard University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research, and to developing leaders in many disciplines who make a difference globally.

This online platform edX provides online courses from the world’s best universities.  EdX courses are open to everyone. All you need is access to a computer with a current browser, an Internet connection, and, of course, a desire to learn.

Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program.

About This Course

Christianity is a global religion. From modest beginnings 2,000 years ago, it has grown to encompass nearly a third of the human population. Diverse in languages, cultures, histories and creeds, Christians nonetheless share a common collection of the sacred scripture called the Bible.

This religion course introduces you to the Bible and its scripture and asks the questions: What are the contents, languages, and forms of Bibles in various times and places?, How have Christians lived out their stories and teachings?, How does Christian history reflect the contested and varied uses of scripture—in the ancient Roman world where Christianity began, in its spread through European and American colonialism, in the diverse forms it takes in varied locations around the globe?

 Why Take This Course?

This is a free online course. No previous knowledge of Christianity or the Bible required. Applicants can pursue a Verified Certificate to highlight the knowledge and skills they gain.

Learning Outcomes

-What’s in the Bible, the book containing the sacred scriptures of Christians.

-An overview of contents with a focus on diverse interpretations of well-known passages.

-Exploration of select themes, such as how Christians approach diversity, attitudes toward non-Christian traditions, existential questions of suffering and violence, the encounter with modern science, the roles of women, liturgical time and pilgrimage.

 Instructors

– Karen L. King

Hollis Professor of DivinityHarvard University

-Sarah Griffis

Doctoral student

Harvard University.

Requirements

None

How To Join This Course

1. Go to the course website link
2.Create an edX account to SignUp
3. Choose “Register Now” to get started.
4. EdX offers honor code certificates of achievement, verified certificates of achievement, and XSeries certificates of achievement. Currently, verified certificates are only available in some courses.
5. Once you sign up for a course and activate your account, click on the Log In button on the edx.org home page and type in your email address and edX password. This will take you to your dashboard, with access to each of your active courses. (Before a course begins, it will be listed on your dashboard but will not yet have a “view course” option.)

Detailed Information