The Christian Scriptures course is a required one-semester course for Freshmen. It should be seen indirect relation to Hebrew Scriptures offered in the Fall. Christian Scriptures employs Historical-Contextual methods of Biblical study to introduce the students to the Gospels. The students use these modern tools of Biblical criticism to analyze each Gospel’s unique audience, themes, and understandings of Jesus. Besides paying special attention to material that is specific to each Gospel, the students will identify and assess the themes common to all the Gospels: the ways Jesus interacted with, and was impacted by, the dominant groups and sociological realities of first century Palestine; Jesus’ preeminent concern for the Kingdom of God; Jesus’ teachings and acts of mercy; the Passion of Jesus Christ; the Resurrection and call to discipleship. Building off the theme of discipleship, the students will assess how Catholic Social Teaching connects to modern instances of injustice.