The life and teaching of Jesus Christ is central to Christian faith. From the beginning of the church, it has formed the foundation and framework for Christian thought and practice. However, the manner in which the Gospels are to be appropriated for contemporary Christian experience has been and continues to be a subject of debate, both within the community of faith and in the wider world. This module provides students with an opportunity to explore important methodological issues in Jesus and Gospel studies and to examine the theological significance of key elements in the life and teaching of Jesus. In the context of an Applied Theology award, historical enquiry must move to answer questions of contemporary significance. This module enables the student to reflect on the personal and practical implications of the ministry of Jesus for Christian faith in the 21st century.

This module aims to:

• develop an appreciation for the distinct ways each Gospel presents the life of Jesus;

• provide an understanding of a general chronology of the life of Jesus;

• develop an understanding of how the Gospels function as a literary genre;

• examine the sources, content and context of the ministry of Christ;

• explore the meaning of the kingdom of God in the teaching of Jesus;

• facilitate personal reflection on the implications of the life and teaching of Jesus for contemporary faith;

• enable students to relate to the person of Jesus in a way that fosters values and attitudes for spiritual development and Christian maturity.