The person and work of Jesus lies at the center of Christian belief. Even non-Christians recognize both the historical importance and contemporary significance of Jesus.

Yet who is Jesus? What are we to make of the four Gospels that serve as witnesses to the events of his life and teaching? How should the Gospels be read—together—and understood today?

In this course track, you will get a detailed overview of the life of Jesus and the Four Gospels. You’ll take a close look at the historical and cultural context of Jesus’ life and ministry, including the events and movements of the period between the Old and New Testaments. You’ll learn to read the text carefully and closely, and learn how to read the Gospels together—particularly the parts that appear contradictory or confusing. You’ll discover the deeper theological message the Gospels convey. And you’ll explore what the transformative message of the Gospel means for the world today.

You will learn:

• The overarching theology of Luke
• Insight into the meaning of each Gospel for the church today
• A greater grasp of how the message of each Gospel fits in with the rest of the New Testament
• How the Gospels were read in the early church, and why Matthew’s Gospel was read most widely
• The historical, religious, social, and cultural context of the first century
• Insight into the individual portraits of Jesus presented in each Gospel
• Why the Gospels are historically reliable
• The genre and function of the Gospels and how to read them today

Key Benefits

• Get immediate access to all 4 seminary-level online courses in the track
• Access 28+ hours of video lectures from Darrell L. Bock, Mark L. Strauss, Gary M. Burge, and Michael J. Wilkins
• Work through the courses at your own pace—take up to 36 months
• Earn a Certificate of Completion
• No prior coursework or prerequisites are required

This Track Includes the Following Courses

• Taught by Mark L. Strauss
• 20 units
• 6 hours of video lectures

• Taught by Michael J. Wilkins
• 38 units
• 8.5 hours of video lectures

• Taught by Gary M. Burge
• 15 units
• 6 hours of video lectures

• Taught by Darrell L. Bock
• 15 units
• 8 hours of video lectures

Designed to Help You Succeed

• Work at your own pace.
  Take as much time as you need to work through each course and each lesson—up to 36 months. We’ll walk you through every lesson, step-by-step, to make sure you understand each concept before you move on. Pause and rewind video lectures, work through the review sessions as many times as you’d like, and study at the times of day that work best for you. With this program, you’ll get the flexibility to learn in a way that’s best for you.
• Learn from seasoned teachers and scholars.
  Your instructors have taught the material for decades both in traditional classroom settings and online. Everything has been expertly designed and time-tested.
• Get access to tools proven to help you learn.
  Take advantage of the most sophisticated adaptive learning technology that will help you retain and remember what you learn.
• Get digital access to all course materials—anytime, anywhere.
  Get access to 28+ hours of video materials, plus all textbook readings, exercises, quizzes, and more.

The Certificate Program Is Ideal for:

• Preachers, teachers, and leaders who desire to become better readers of the four Gospels for teaching and preaching.
• Beginning students who desire a solid foundation for studying the Gospels.
• Anyone who wants to understand the life of Jesus and the four Gospels.

How to earn the Certificate

1. Achieve an 80% or higher grade in each of the eight required courses.
2. Complete all coursework within 36 months of enrolling.
3. Notify us of completion.

When we have confirmed you have satisfied the program requirements, we will issue a Certificate of Completion.