To learn more about this course or to enroll, visit the course description page.
In this course, we will explore traditions regarding fallen angels, demons and evil spirits, and Satan in the Bible, Judaism and early Christianity. We will examine the evolution of these concepts and discuss how our understanding of these entities developed and changed over time. This course takes a historical critical approach and focuses on close readings of primary texts.
This course is meant to be a brief introduction, so while we won’t cover everything, we will touch on a number of ideas like the nature of evil, the concept of human suffering, the fall of the angels, demon possession and exorcism, and the cosmic battle between good and evil.
Course Content
Introduction
UNIT 1: DEMONS, SATAN & EVIL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Unit 2: Supernatural Evil in Second Temple Judaism
Unit 3: Satan and Demons in The New Testament