We begin our study with some context: the significant developments that established the social, political, economic, philosophical and religious foundations in which the Jesus movement entered. Combining the evidence from archeological discoveries with advances in scholarship made over the last two centuries in our historical and textual understanding of Christianitys origins, we gain a clearer understanding of the ancient struggle between roman Power and the Jewish peoples passionate belief in a just God. The course also surveys the diversity that existed in Christian interpretation even as The Church began to be constructed. The course concludes with travel to Italy for two weeks as we will experience the integration of our textual learning with archeological and historical site visits. HA