This course is a survey of the literature of first century Christianity with readings from the gospels, Acts, and the Pauline and pastoral letters. Topics include the literary structure, audience, and religious perspective of the writings, as well as the historical and cultural context of the early Christian community. Upon completion, students should be able to use the tools of critical analysis to read and understand New Testament literature. This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement in humanities/fine arts.