The Gospel Masterclass:

Understanding The Gospels as Literature

Seven-Lecture Series By Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh

Join Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh for an in-depth study of the Gospels!



Course Overview

This course begins with a comprehensive overview of the New Testament, including its formation, its literary development, and the historical evidence surrounding the earliest Christian writings. We explore the gospel genre within its broader Greco-Roman literary environment, examining its terminology, compositional methods, and thematic features in comparison with other forms of ancient Mediterranean literature. Through a balance of historical investigation and theoretical analysis, we navigate the gospel texts with a fresh perspective, challenging long-held assumptions about the emergence of early Christianity.

The journey concludes with a reconsideration of the history of New Testament scholarship, inviting students to reexamine the complex and often mysterious identities of the gospel authors.

Guiding questions shape our study: Who were the gospel writers? What level of education and training informed their narratives? What sources did they draw upon? And, most importantly, what can we reliably uncover about the historical Jesus from these ancient accounts?

Key Highlights

Unveiling Tradition: Explore the fascinating origins of the canonical gospels, once shrouded in anonymity. Discover how these authors, often considered mere messengers, were actually dynamic influencers shaping their era's literature and thought.

Beyond the Pages: Step into the shoes of ancient writers! Uncover the riveting techniques and shared traditions that molded the gospel narratives. Delve into the educational backgrounds and crafty skills behind these timeless texts.

 Reimagine Interpretation: Challenge assumptions in biblical studies! Together, we'll chart new paths, redefining how we approach these cherished texts. Let's forge fresh perspectives and decode the gospel mysteries of the past and future.

 Key Insights & Debate: From the existence of Q to statistical evidence shaping Christianity's growth, no stone will be left unturned! Engage in heated debates, analyze historical evidence, and grasp the profound influence of figures like Paul on gospel writers.

️ Discover the Historical Jesus: Unravel the intricate layers of the Jesus movement. Gain a deeper understanding of our evidence, decode the social development, and uncover the essence of the historical Jesus.


Bonuses!! 

Upon registering for this course, here's what you'll receive, along with some extra bonuses included:

Lifetime Access to the Course and All Course Materials

In-person, High-Quality Video Recording of Seven Lectures

Course Overview, Objections, and Additional Course Details

Lecture Overviews, Objections, and Fundamental FAQs to Deliberate

Printable and/or Downloadable Video Chat Transcripts in Both PDF and TXT formats

Bibliography and Reading Recommendations [Includes direct links to books for convenient access.]

Additional Resources Page with Various Resources to Improve Your Learning Experience [The additional resources provided vary depending on the scholar and the topic of the course.]

MP3 Audio File Downloads for Listening On-the-Go


Who Should Take This Course?

Religion, Theology, or Biblical Studies Students: Perfect for undergraduates, graduate students, and seminary students who want a rigorous yet accessible supplement to their formal studies—especially in New Testament, early Christianity, or Greco-Roman history.

Pastors, Ministry Leaders, and Clergy: Pastors, Bible teachers, and faith leaders who want historically informed perspectives to enrich their teaching, preaching, and conversations about the gospels and the historical Jesus.

Scholars & Educators: Perfect for scholars and teachers seeking a deeper, historically grounded understanding of the gospel traditions. This course explores the origins, authorship, and literary features of the New Testament, providing valuable material for academic study and classroom instruction.

History Enthusiasts: If you’re passionate about ancient history, early Christianity, or the development of early religious texts, this course offers a rich exploration of the origins of the gospels and the world that shaped them.

Curious Learners: Perfect for anyone curious about early Christianity, ancient literature, or the origins of the gospel narratives. This course brings clarity and insight to topics often surrounded by mystery and tradition.

Skeptics, Deconstructing Christians, and Critical Thinkers: If you’re questioning inherited traditions, reexamining your beliefs, or simply want evidence-based answers rather than dogmatic claims, this course will help you engage the gospels with intellectual honesty and academic rigor.

Readers of the Bible Seeking Deeper Context: Anyone who has read the New Testament and sensed there is “more going on” beneath the surface—literary techniques, shared traditions, editorial choices, and historical developments—will find this course eye-opening.

Lifelong Learners: If you’ve ever wondered who wrote the gospels, why they wrote them, and how they shaped the Jesus story, this course will give you the tools and evidence to explore those questions in depth.

Fans of Early Christianity and Ancient History: Those fascinated by the Jesus movement, the growth of early Christianity, and debates over sources like Q, Paul’s influence, and the social world behind the texts.

All Other Eager Individuals: If you’re drawn to questions like “Who really wrote the gospels?”, “What can we actually know about the historical Jesus?”, and “How did these texts emerge from their ancient world?”—this course is designed for you.

Why Register for Our Course?

Lifetime Access: Gain lifetime access to course materials, enabling the opportunity for comprehensive understanding through repeated study and giving you the ability to revisit essential concepts whenever needed.

Immediate Access: Begin right away with no waiting periods — start immediately upon purchase.

Self-Pace Learning: Take the course at your preferred speed and convenience, with no set schedule or deadlines to adhere to, allowing you to cover the content at your own pace and revisit key concepts as needed.

Comfortable and Convenient Learning: Acquire knowledge from the convenience and comfort of your own home.

Affordable Cost: Benefit from direct learning with a top industry expert at an affordable price, with a single payment.

Expert Guidance: Learn from advanced scholarship that sheds light on gospel origins, ancient literary practices, and the historical context of early Christianity—all delivered with clear, expert-led insight.

Critical Thinking: Learn to critically examine ancient gospel narratives, reassess long-standing traditions, and interpret early Christian literature through sound historical and literary analysis.

 Exclusive Course Content: Delve into lesser-known scholarly discussions surrounding gospel origins, shared traditions like Q, and the educational backgrounds of ancient writers, giving you new tools for interpreting the New Testament.

Engaged Learning: Whether you’re a scholar or a curious learner, our course makes complex historical and theological discussions easy to understand and exciting to explore by offering many additional tools and resources.

Understand the Context: Accessible explanations suitable for all levels of learners.

Online Flexibility: Our course is available online, allowing you to engage with the material from anywhere in the world.

Unlock a New Perspective on Christianity: Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or a student of history, this course will transform how you understand the New Testament, the formation of the gospels, and the origins of early Christian thought.

Join our MVP Courses' Community: Connect and engage with like-minded learners who are passionate about delving into history, mythology, religious and cultural studies, and exploring the origins of life.

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of the canonical gospels? This course invites you into a deep and immersive study of their authorship, origins, and historical context—where ancient evidence meets contemporary curiosity. Register today to uncover the mysteries that continue to captivate scholars and seekers alike.      

The Gospel Masterclass: Understanding The Gospels as Literature$39.95


Professor Robyn Faith Walsh, Ph.D.


Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh is an Associate Professor at the University of Miami (UM). She earned her PhD at Brown University in Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean, with a focus on early Christianity, ancient Judaism, and ancient Mediterranean archaeology. Before Brown, she attended Harvard Divinity School, where she studied the New Testament and Roman archaeology.

Her first monograph, The Origins of Early Christian Literature: Contextualizing the New Testament within Greco-Roman Literary Culture, was published with Cambridge University Press in 2021. She is also the author of several book chapters and articles on Roman book culture, diaspora archaeology, and various theoretical approaches to religion. You can also find her public-facing writing and research in venues like Biblical Archaeology Review, The Daily Beast, Huffington Post, and Slate.

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What you'll gain from completing this series of seven lectures --


A Deeper Understanding of the Gospel Authors: Explore questions surrounding the identities and backgrounds of the gospel writers, uncovering the sources that influenced their narratives. 

Critical Analysis Skills: Develop the ability to critically assess historical evidence, theories, and assumptions about the formation of early Christianity.

Insight into Jesus' Historical Context: Evaluate and extract reliable information about the historical Jesus based on the available sources and critical analysis.

Expanded Knowledge: Acquire a wealth of knowledge about gospel literature, historical context, and methodologies employed in biblical studies.

Revised Perspectives: Challenge and reevaluate prevalent assumptions about the gospel writers, their education, sources, and identities.

Comprehensive New Testament Understanding: Gain a deep comprehension of the New Testament's content, origins, and historical underpinnings.

Contextual Insight: Understand the Gospels as a literary genre within the Greco-Roman world by analyzing their terminology, structure, and themes against ancient Mediterranean literature.

Historical Investigation: Engage in a dual exploration—historical investigation coupled with theoretical discussions—into the contexts that shaped the gospel writings.

Refined Interpretation Skills: Hone your interpretative abilities, enabling you to read and analyze ancient texts with a discerning eye.

Informed Discourse: Participate in scholarly discussions and debates regarding gospel authorship, early Christianity, and the evolution of New Testament studies.

and so much more...

Join Us on This Journey!: Embark on a riveting voyage into the gospels' historical essence and unearth the truth about authorship in antiquity. Let's decipher, discuss, and redefine how we perceive these timeless masterpieces!