An Advanced Study in Galatians: Part One (Udemy.com)
Identifying the Messiah Community
Created by: N.T. Wright
Last updated July 2022
What you will learn
- Trace the significance of Paul’s autobiographical remarks to the theological claims of Galatians.
- Discover how Paul fits Jesus into the story Israel told about its coming Messiah.
- Explore the spatial underpinning of Paul’s theology of Messiah-faith.
- Examine the socio-political controversies energizing early Christian membership arguments.
- Chart the history of how Galatians has been interpreted in the modern Western church.
- Assess the context of words like faith, justification, and righteousness, and what they mean for membership in Christian community.
How it compares
Against the other 1,107 rated Udemy courses in Personal Development on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.8 out of 5higher than 85% of them
- Reviews224#632 of 1,108 by number of reviews
- Length6.3 hourslonger than 82% of them
- Last updatedJuly 2022earlier than 71% of them
Course Description
Paul’s letter to the Galatians ranks among the earliest writings we have from the movement that became Christianity. It therefore brings into sharp focus key issues of theological debate within the early Jesus movement, including how people in this community saw themselves.
In this letter, Paul identifies a specific challenge to identity formation in the Messiah that is facing the church in Galatia. The particular question of whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised, which is the direct impetus for Paul’s writing the letter, provides a basis from which Paul can expound a broader vision of membership in the Messiah community. Arguing against factions that would exclude Gentile converts failing to adopt Torah, Paul masterfully explores the logic of a New Age instantiated by Messiah Jesus, the new requirements for family belonging, and the reciprocal faithfulness of Jesus and believers which is the foundation of righteousness.
Across two courses (totaling 37 lectures), Prof. Wright walks students through Paul’s argument step by step, clarifying difficult translational matters, navigating the messy history of soteriology and interpretation since the Reformation. He then clears a path back to the original concerns of the time to help us see afresh what Paul considered the heart of the New Age.
Part One of the course, Identifying the Messiah Community, covers Galatians up through 3:18, focusing on the formation of an inclusive community, with a proper understanding of ‘faith’ and ‘righteousness’ as terms of social definition. What does it mean to be individuals ‘in the Messiah,’ and how does this relate to the promised family of Abraham? The inter-faith squabble of Galatians affords modern readers a window into the earliest working out of crucial Christian theological matters such as the Trinity, Incarnation, Atonement, and ultimate destiny. As such, it is indispensable for today as a document establishing the very foundations of our shared life in Christ.
This course covers thoroughly advanced material, first explored in Prof. Wright's Galatians commentary. We encourage students to proceed through this course at their own pace, and consult the resources provided, such as Greek lexicon and concept reflection prompts. Every effort has been made to clarify the dense theological argument Paul makes in Galatians and bring it into practical application for members of the Messiah community today.
Instructor Details
- 4.8 Rating
224 Reviews
N.T. Wright
N.T Wright received his BA, MA and D.Phil. from Oxford University. He taught New Testament at Cambridge, McGill and Oxford Universities 1978-1993. He was Dean of Lichfield, then Canon of Westminster, then Bishop of Durham (Church of England), 1994-2010. Prof. Wright is Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, and is currently Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. He has published over 85 books and hundreds of articles. In 2014 Prof. Wright received the Burkitt Medal from the British Academy for services to New Testament scholarship. He enjoys music, golf the Isle of Harris, and spending time with his family in the midst of a busy schedule of writing and travelling.
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Reviews
By William Graham Hopkins on 1/25/2023
Thank you David, Jennifer, Esau and Tom for shedding light on the muddles that western Christians have got ourselves into. Many thanks too for clarifying Paul's understanding of the purposes of God and the role, work and achievement of Jesus. Thank you for allowing me to see that the grace of God expressed in the life of Jesus is much deeper than I had imagined. This encourages my love for God and desire to keep the words of Jesus.
By Joan Watson on 10/17/2022
I found the quiz questions were ambiguous. The language used in the lecture was difficult to understand often, and the questions instead of aiding understanding were more confusing.
By Debrah Leonard on 8/6/2022
Professor Wright brings the story ALIVE! I really like how the course is broken up into segments, with reading, exposition, quiz, reflection. I need the repetition, too! I'm so very grateful for this course. Thank you. Debrah Leonard
By Jo Christopher on 6/8/2022
I've never been aware of the culture in which the early church had it's beginning. Roman's with their pagan gods and the pressure to conform to their worship as a civic duty. Then the pressure from the Jewish tradition to keep Tora. Paul really did "throw a bomb" into the social mix of the day. Fascinating information!
By Ellen Gross on 5/23/2022
I'm very excited about this course. I love learning how Galatians has been misappropriated and misinterpreted, and understanding what Paul was really dealing with and what he meant. Professor Wright's enthusiasm for his subject matter is contagious. I really love the shorter lectures in this course. It's easier to learn.
By Nicholas Booth on 5/22/2022
I so appreciate Tom Wright's insights into scripture and into the Pauline corpus in particular. I have been studying with NT Wright online since it's inception and it has never disappointed. This latest version of Galatians continues to live up to the very high standard that they have set themselves. Whilst, at the same time, making the word of God accessible to people of all levels.
By Ted Sutton on 4/25/2022
An Advanced Study in Galatians is a wonderfully challenging dive into early Christian theology. This in-depth study is thought-provoking, enlightening, and rewarding. I highly recommend this study to anyone who wants or maybe needs a fresh perspective on their understanding of scripture. This is a definite 5-star series that is worth your time, a genuine investment in your Christian journey. Thank you, Professor Wright and The Wisconsin Center for Christian Study for offering such a quality presentation.
By Jeffrey Turnbull on 4/20/2022
The N T Wright Online courses are always of the highest quality and in this advanced course we have the privilege of hearing from Prof Wright on his latest thoughts and discoveries about what Paul is saying to the Galatians. He strips away the layers of modern and reformation prejudices and helps us hear what Paul needed to say to the First Century Christians and in so doing helps us hear and understand better what God wants to say to us.
By Faith Burnham on 4/20/2022
Take a trip back into the ancient world of Paul's day and discover what likely was in Paul's mind when he wrote to the Galatians! Not only this, but also discover the Old Testament background to Paul's thoughts. This is an awe inspiring trip led by the world's top scholar! It will be Galatia like you have never seen it before. Wright is unparalleled in his exegetical methodology and his ability to communicate in an easy to understand way. Excellent course, very well done!
By Aaron Kight on 4/16/2022
This is a deep theological course at an affordable price. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is one that is used in almost every theological argument. Join the world’s leading New Testament scholar in an in-depth view of this letter, exploring the central conflict from which Paul wrote, as well as a genuine understanding of what Paul meant and what that message means for us today.
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 96 / 100












