Searching for the Historical Jesus Who was Jesus of Nazareth? How does the historical Jesus differ from the Jesus Christ portrayed in the Gospels? In this course we will explore how early Christians remembered Jesus and shaped stories about him. We will read both canonical (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and non-canonical (e.g., Thomas, Mary, Peter) Gospels in their historical and literary contexts, with attention to Judaism, the Roman Empire, and Greco-Roman cultures. We will then examine how modern scholars use critical approaches to reconstruct the historical Jesus’s life. By comparing different portraits of Jesus in antiquity and today, we will consider why these interpretations are important for intellectual inquiry and public life. (How) does the historical Jesus still matter, and to whom?

Dear Paul: Life and Letters of the Apostle Who was Paul the apostle? Why do people still care about his letters today? This course delves into the life and letters of this Jewish man who later became a foundational figure for Christianity. We will analyze his letters within the ancient Mediterranean social milieu, focusing on their literary styles, rhetoric, and historical contexts. This approach will provide us with fresh insights into various theological and sociocultural issues discussed in his letters, such as salvation, eschatology, marriage, racial/ethnic relations, slavery, economic inequality, and church-state relations. Additionally, using a variety of interpretive approaches, we will reconstruct responses to Paul’s letters from ancient audiences and critically engage with the ways these texts are read and used in our contemporary public sphere.

An Introduction to Biblical Literature This course is a general introduction to biblical history, literature, and interpretation.  It is designed for students who seek a basic understanding of the Bible on its own or as a foundation for further study in religion, art, literature, film, and other disciplines.  It aims to acquaint students with the major characters, narratives, poetry, and compositional features of biblical literature and how these writings became Jewish and Christian scriptures.  The course will also explore various approaches to reading the Bible, both religious and secular.

The Bible and the Lives of Others The Bible contains stories about marginalized people who carry in themselves rich theological ideas about suffering, love, and social justice. Yet, the question of how we as global citizens should read the Bible gives rise to the challenge of considering contested views on minorities in history. In this course we will investigate ways in which the Bible portrays women, children, slaves, foreigners, and people with disabilities, using feminist and minoritized hermeneutics. Asking how these portrayals have been interpreted in modern religio–political contexts, we will reflect upon the impact of biblical interpretation on the lives of others. What does it mean to listen to the voices from the margins in our culturally diverse and politically divided world?

Children and Childhood in Antiquity How did ancient childhood differ from ours? Were children the invisible ‘Other’ or a source of power in Mediterranean antiquity? This course explores childhood in classical Greece, Roman Italy, and Jewish Palestine by analyzing historical, literary, and archaeological evidence that attests to both philosophical thoughts on children and sociocultural practices regarding birth, childrearing, and death. We will see diverse understandings of physical, intellectual, and social aspects of children and how such understandings helped shape political agendas and religious ideas in antiquity. By reflecting upon the temporal differences and cross-cultural similarities between ancient and modern childhoods, we will ultimately ask how fresh insights into ancient children may help us revisit our own understanding of children and human life today.

Historical Jesus and the Gospels Who was Jesus of Nazareth? How does the historical Jesus differ from Jesus Christ in the Gospels? In this course we will explore how early Christians remembered Jesus and developed traditions about him. We will read both canonical (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and non-canonical (e.g., Thomas, Mary, Peter) Gospels within their historical and literary contexts, focusing on Judaism, the Roman Empire, and Greco–Roman cultures. We will then examine the critical approaches modern scholars take to reconstruct the historical Jesus’ life. By comparing diverse portraits of Jesus both in ancient literature and in modern scholarship, we will evaluate such diversity’s implications for our intellectual and cultural life today. How does the historical Jesus matter and for whom? 3hrs. lect.

The Bible and Voices from the Margins What does it mean to listen to voices from the margins in the Bible today? In this course, we will carefully read stories about women, children, slaves, immigrants, the poor, and people with disabilities in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament using womanist and contextual hermeneutics. We will analyze the diverse cultural views and religious values associated with these marginalized groups in Mediterranean antiquity and discuss how their stories can contribute to our critical engagement with contemporary debates on gender inequality, immigration, racial injustice, poverty, and ableism. Seeking to foster an ethically responsible and culturally sensitive biblical interpretation, this course will help us articulate biblical ideas about suffering, love, and justice in our own social locations.

Gender and Sexuality in the Bible What does the Bible say about sex, marriage, and homosexuality? While many people claim “the” biblical perspective on this question, the Bible offers various–often complicated–stories and teachings about gender and sexuality. In this course, we will closely read key biblical passages concerning God’s gender, marriage and divorce, family life, sexual violence, women’s social status, asceticism, and sexual orientation. Special attention will be paid to the ancient Mediterranean sociocultural milieu within which ancient Israelites and early Christians constructed their ideas and practices about sex and gender. We will ultimately ask: how might our nuanced understanding of gender and sexuality in the Bible inform contemporary debates on sexual difference, gender inequality, and sexuality and social leadership?

Eunyung Lim

Reviews and ratings for Eunyung Lim at Middlebury College.Eunyung Lim teaches Historical Jesus, Dear Paul: Letters of Apostle, Intro to Biblical Literature and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Eunyung Lim good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

I've really enjoyed my time in this class thus far. Professor Lim is an amazing teacher. She brings great energy to class and does a great job lecturing, while also opening the floor to great discussion. Workload is a couple of readings per week, discussion posts, class presenation, and final paper

Professor Lim is very passionate about her work, she is very expressive and chalant compared to other professors. I also thought the class was pretty chill for a religion class, as there weren't a lot to read. I would recommend this class to everyone, as I thought it was a class that made me question and reflect on my religious backgrounds, in a good way! 

This is a great course for anyone interested in the study of the New Testament, and specifically, Paul and his letters. Prof. Lim is a very fun professor who always keeps me engaged with the material. There are many readings, but they are not too long, and most are interesting. Minimal hw besides doing the readings and participating in class. 