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The Quest for the Historical Paul: Apostle or Apostate?

The Quest for the Real Paul: Apostle or Apostate?” – Led by renowned scholar Dr. James D. Tabor, this comprehensive course uncovers the true historical figure of Paul, examining his authentic letters and the profound impact they had on early Christianity. Through a scholarly and critical approach, students will explore Paul’s life within the complex cultural landscapes of Roman and Jewish societies. Ideal for history enthusiasts, theology students, and lifelong learners, this course provides unprecedented insights into Paul’s radical transformation and legacy. Join now to gain the tools to distinguish historical facts from theological fiction and rethink Paul’s influence on Christian doctrine.

🧑🏻‍🏫 12-Part Lecture Series
📜 Examination of Authentic Writings: Learn from Paul’s seven undisputed letters, offering a reliable view of his beliefs and mission compared to later disputed texts.
🌍 Contextual Understanding: Explore the Roman, Hellenistic, and Jewish contexts that shaped Paul’s worldview, enriching comprehension of his writings.
🧩 Different ‘Pauls’ in the New Testament: Analyze the four different portrayals of Paul—Authentic, Disputed, Pseudo-Paul, and Legendary Paul—and understand their implications for Christian doctrine.
🔍 Critical Methodology: Dr. Tabor emphasizes historical methods and caution with sources like the Book of Acts, fostering a more objective understanding.
🕊️ Paul’s Visionary Transformation: Delve into Paul’s life-changing experiences and the visionary claims that established his role as an apostle to the Gentiles.
✍️ Influence on Christian Doctrine: Examine how Paul’s theological concepts, particularly about faith, salvation, and Jesus’ divinity, influenced the development of Christian orthodoxy.
🗣️ Engaging Scholarly Debates: Understand the controversies surrounding Paul’s teachings and their divergence from those of Jesus and the early Jerusalem apostles.
📖 Direct Engagement with Ancient Texts: Develop skills in textual analysis to assess historical reliability, identify theological biases, and interpret Paul’s teachings.
🧠 Hellenistic Influence on Theology: Uncover the philosophical impact of Hellenism, including Stoicism and Platonism, on Paul’s writings and theology.
📚 Lifetime Learning Access: Enjoy lifelong access to all course content, downloadable guides, and transcripts, enabling you to revisit and deepen your knowledge anytime.

Ancient Egyptian Cosmogony and Cosmology: Secrets of the Primordial Waters

Unlock the Secrets of Ancient Egyptian Cosmology: Led by globally acclaimed Egyptologist Dr. Kara Cooney, this eight-part online course delves deep into Egypt’s mystical creation stories, gods, and cosmic order. Discover how the ancient Egyptians connected the origins of the universe to their daily rituals, art, and governance. With lifetime access and exclusive insights from a leading authority, this course brings ancient wisdom into your own hands—providing both a critical understanding and an awe-inspiring exploration of human spirituality.

👩🏻‍🏫 8-Part Lecture Series
🔍 Exploration of Egyptian Creation Myths: Study the diverse creation stories from ancient Egypt’s major cult centers, like Heliopolis and Thebes, and learn how these narratives coexisted.
🕰️ Insights into Time and the Cosmos: Discover how the Egyptians used the solar cycle and star movements to measure time and maintain cosmic balance.
📜 Critical Analysis of Ancient Texts: Engage directly with sacred texts like the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the Dead, guided by expert interpretations.
🌌 Connection of Nature and Divinity: Learn how natural elements such as the Nile and the stars were viewed as divine forces, integral to Egyptian spirituality.
🎓 Expert Instruction by Dr. Kara Cooney: Benefit from Dr. Cooney’s engaging, approachable style as she unveils Egypt’s cosmology through a mix of history, archaeology, and art.
🔄 Order and Chaos: Delve into the Egyptian concepts of order and chaos, essential for understanding their ethical and cosmological frameworks.
🖼️ Interpretation of Religious Art and Symbolism: Understand the significance of Egypt’s temples, tombs, and hieroglyphs, decoding the cosmic symbolism in these ancient works.
🌍 Comparative Religious Insights: Draw parallels between Egyptian creation myths and modern religious traditions, enriching your understanding of human spirituality across time.
🔖 Personalized Learning Path: With lifetime access and downloadable resources, learn at your own pace with in-depth, on-demand video content.
🧠 Critical Thinking Skills: Develop the ability to assess and interpret the cultural narratives surrounding creation and existence.

Myths Borrowed by the Old Testament

Unveil the fascinating connections between ancient Near Eastern mythology and the Old Testament with Dr. Joshua Bowen, a renowned Assyriologist and expert in ancient languages. This seven-part lecture series doesn’t just teach you about biblical origins; it empowers you to independently explore and analyze the ancient stories that shaped our world’s religious foundations. This course is ideal for anyone looking to broaden their understanding of the Bible’s origins through a scholarly, yet accessible lens.

🧑🏻‍🏫 7-part Lecture Series
🕰️ Ancient Myth Connections: The course explores how key Old Testament narratives—such as the Creation, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel—draw on myths from ancient Near Eastern cultures, adding new layers of meaning to these stories.
📜 Critical Textual Analysis: Students learn to analyze ancient source material, gaining firsthand skills to independently interpret the influences behind biblical texts.
🎓 Expert Instruction by Dr. Joshua Bowen: Dr. Bowen, an Assyriologist, leads students through these ancient narratives with clear explanations and relatable examples, making complex ideas approachable.
🔍 Balanced Perspective: The course emphasizes a fair, unbiased approach, encouraging students to engage critically with both biblical and ancient texts, beyond traditional views.
🌐 Cultural and Historical Context: Each lecture provides insights into the historical context of neighboring cultures, shedding light on how myths were adapted to fit theological aims in the Old Testament.
📚 Comprehensive, Self-Paced Learning: With lifetime access, students can delve into the material as thoroughly as desired, reviewing complex topics at their own pace.
🏛️ Exploration of Religious Development: By examining mythological borrowings, the course provides insights into the evolution of religious thought and the shaping of early religious ideas.
🌊 In-Depth Case Studies: Key lessons explore specific myths like those of Baal and Babylon, giving students a focused understanding of how these stories informed and influenced biblical authors.
💻 Flexible Online Access: The course is entirely online, allowing students to study from anywhere and engage deeply with the content without time constraints.
🔖 Bonus Materials: Students receive supplementary resources, including reading recommendations, lecture transcripts, and downloadable slides, for an enriched learning experience.

The Gospel Masterclass: Understanding The Gospels as Literature

Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh

Have you ever wondered about the hidden tales behind the canonical gospels? Dive into an immersive exploration where ancient secrets meet modern curiosity! Our groundbreaking course is your key to unraveling the enigmatic world of gospel authorship.

📜 Unveiling Tradition: Explore the fascinating origins of the canonical gospels, once shrouded in anonymity.

🔍 Beyond the Pages: Step into the shoes of ancient writers! Delve into the educational backgrounds and crafty skills behind these timeless texts.

This rigorously constructed course promises an immersive journey into the profound realm of the Gospels as literature, offering unprecedented insights and perspectives.

Gain early access to this enriching experience at a special discounted rate.

7 Lectures
Explore the Profound Depths of the Literary Dimensions Within the Gospels
Unlock the Mysteries of Gospel Authorship
Uncover the Techniques and Shared Traditions that Molded the Gospel Narratives
Discover How These Authors Influencers and Shaped Their Era's Literature and Thought

Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Dr. James D. Tabor

10 Lectures
Explore the Ancient Texts
Historical, Religious, and Cultural Context of the Late 2nd Temple and Early Roman Periods
Analyze and Interpret the Dead Sea Scrolls Text
Unlock the Mysteries of Early Christianity
Delve into the Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in Biblical Studies
Discover Hidden Histories and Untold Stories of the Jewish Sect Behind the Dead Sea Scrolls
Spiritual and Theological Currents that Shaped the Lives of Enigmatic Groups During the Late 2nd Temple Period
Uncover Secrets Hidden Within the Scrolls that Help Decipher this Pivotal Era
The Dead Sea Scrolls Group vs. the Jesus Movement

Unforgettable Footprints Of The Pauline Legacy: Lasting Impacts Of Apostle Paul

Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh

8 Lectures
Historical Insight - Beginnings and Development of Christianity
Decode Apostle Paul's World
Rich Philosophical and Cultural Context of the First-Century World
Decipher Apostle Paul's Language

Real Israelite Religions: Facts on the Ground and Propaganda in the Bible

Dr. Kipp Davis

18 Lectures
Investigate Ancient Literature
Critical Engagement With the Literary and Material Cultures of the Ancient Near East
Useful Interpretative Tools For the Study of the Old Testament
Fundamental Principles of Historical Critical Methods in Biblical Scholarship

NOTE: Students are encouraged to use Susan Niditch’s excellent, small book, Ancient Israelite Religion (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997) as a companion to the lectures, and also to follow through with extensive readings from the English Old Testament translation of their choice.

Reading The Gospels With One Eye On Greek Poetry

Dr. Dennis R. MacDonald

NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to purchase Dr. Dennis R. MacDonald’s book titled, “Synopses of Epic, Tragedy, and the Gospels,” from Amazon, which will be used repeatedly and referenced throughout the entirety of the course.

You'll Love MVP Courses!

With 20+ scholars from various fields of expertise, MVP Courses offers learning opportunities for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included with the purchase of one of your courses?
Who should consider enrolling in your course?

All of our courses include the following:

Lifetime access to the course
In-person, high-quality video lectures
Audio mp3 downloads for listening “on the go”
Video Chat Transcripts
Lecture text overviews of each lecture
Introductory Course Text Overview
Text explaining what this course will teach you
Biography of the scholar teaching the course
Bibliography for further reading and studying
Additional Resources:

[NOTE: The additional resources you receive for each specific course may exhibit slight variations.]

Accompanying course materials – -(course packet or course guide)
PowerPoint slides
pdf documents
articles
relevant images
reference maps
printable notes
quotes
bonus video lectures
bonus interviews
live bonus footage
links to additional study tools and resources
quizzes
fun exercises
fundamental questions to deliberate
lecture assignments
reading assignments
live question & answer sessions

(Depending on the course, some of the live Q&A’s will allow you to actually have an opportunity to interact with the scholar directly.)

Every course is different so please check the sales page for each individual course to find a full list of what’s included in that particular course.

Our courses cater to individuals with an interest in diverse subjects such as:

Biblical Studies
Early Christianity
The New Testament
The Historical Jesus
Greco-Roman Religion
Biblical Archaeology
Hermeneutics
Gospel Studies
Pauline Studies
Dead Sea Scrolls
Apocryphal and Gnostic Gospels
Historical Critical Method
Q Source
Reception History
Religious Syncretism
Ancient Egyptian History
Mythology
and more…

No matter your background, whether you’re an atheist, an agnostic, a conservative Christian, a progressive Christian, a skeptic, a humanist, a Jew, a pagan, a Muslim, or a mythicist, our courses offer valuable knowledge for all truth-seekers. Each course is thoughtfully designed to be accessible to the general public, regardless of scholarly or academic background.

What payment methods do you accept?
Who Should Consider Enrolling in Our Courses?

The payment methods accepted vary depending on what country you live in and what currency is being used. Here are a list of the most common payment options available:

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Buy Now, Pay Later Options:

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To find out if a specific payment option is accepted based on your personal information, please visit the sales page for that specific course and scroll down to the bottom to see all payment options available.

Our courses cater to individuals with an interest in diverse subjects such as:

Biblical Studies
Early Christianity
The New Testament
The Historical Jesus
Greco-Roman Religion
Biblical Archaeology
Hermeneutics
Gospel Studies
Pauline Studies
Dead Sea Scrolls
Apocryphal and Gnostic Gospels
Historical Critical Method
Q Source
Reception History
Religious Syncretism
Ancient Egyptian History
Mythology
and more…

What occurs once you've successfully completed the purchase of a course?
What is the URL to log into my student account and to get access to the courses I purchased?

After you have purchased the course and your payment has successfully gone through, you will be directed to our success page. This page will include login instructions along with a link to access the course.

You will also receive an email with your receipt and a course access email.

To access the student sign-in page, please go to:

https://sales.mvp-courses.com/signin/

How long will I have access to the courses I purchased?
What are a couple of advantages of studying a non-accredited course?

You will have lifetime access to any of the courses you purchase with us.

One of the primary benefits would be that the general public and non-scholars get an opportunity to learn directly from one of the top leading experts in the industry at an affordable cost.

A secondary benefit is the ability to learn at your own pace and on your own time, in the comfort of your home.