PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Synoptic Gospels: Life of Christ

Exploring the Synoptic Gospels' narrative and theological dynamics, focusing on major Christological themes such as Christ's teachings, ministry, and principles of discipleship and leadership.

A comprehensive study of the Synoptic Gospels, focusing on their narrative and theological similarities and differences, the interrelationship between them, and each author's unique portrayal of Christ. Students will explore exegetical considerations specific to the Gospels, including their historical-theological genre and literary devices such as parables, hyperbole, and genealogies. Additionally, students will examine and articulate major Christological themes, including the teachings of Christ, key theological concepts surrounding His earthly life and ministry, and principles of Christlike discipleship and leadership.

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

VIDEO Instructor

Rev. JOSEPH LEAR Ph.D.

Joseph Lear is the Director of Theology and Global Church Ministries in the College of Online Learning at EU. He’s an Evangel alumnus ’07, and holds an MAR in Christian Ethics from Yale, and a PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He’s a church revitalizer and planter, and currently lives in Iowa City, IA where he is also Pastor of Preaching and Theology at Resurrection Assembly of God.

Dr. Lear has also served as youth, children’s, and young adults pastors in Connecticut and Scotland. He was Chi Alpha Director at the University of Iowa from 2016-2018.

He is an active member of the Society for Pentecostal Studies.

Dr. Lear writes Pastoral Theology with Joseph Lear on Substack, and is the author of two books:

– What Shall We Do?: Eschatology and Ethics in Luke-Acts (Pickwick, 2018)

– Resurrecting Worship: A Pentecostal Liturgy for Slow Burn Revival