Sexuality in Early Christianity

What did Jesus of Nazareth and his early followers teach about sexuality in terms of marriage, adultery, divorce, the virtues of procreation and celibacy, same-sex relationships, and erotic desire? How and why did ancient Christians take different stances on these issues, and how do these traditions continue to inform sexual ethics and gender roles today? In this course, we will study these questions by examining key passages from the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, Paul's letters, writings of early church leaders, martyr propaganda, monastic literature, and apocryphal books deemed heretical. We will also consider the interpretations of contemporary historians of religion informed by recent trends in sexuality and gender theories.
Course Attributes: EN H; BU Eth; BU BA; AS HUM; AS LCD; AS SD I; FA HUM; AR HUM; AS SC

Sexuality in Early Christianity

RELIGIOUS STUDIES 3130

Section 01