This course introduces historiographical questions, historical considerations, literary explorations, and theological consequences around the topic of enslavement in Early Christian Literature and its legacy in religious discourses. First, we will consider theoretical and methodological questions about enslavement (definitions, implications, and universality). Second, we will explore the historical, political, cultural, and social contexts of enslavement in the first century Roman Empire. Here we will focus on the material conditions (archaeological evidence) of the enslaved and the cultural understandings of their existence. Third, we survey New Testament Texts that either include characters that are enslaved or refer to the topic of enslavement as a key component in the narrative. Finally, we advance the theological implications of considering enslavement a central topic in early Christian formations. MDiv and MTS students must complete their Sacred Texts & Interpretation  New Testament core requirement before registering for this course.

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