Full course description
In this online course, Dr. Dudreck will take you into the intellectual, political, and religious world of the Greco-Roman age up to the first century AD. As you explore the social realities of the Roman Empire, Dr. Dudreck will provide the backdrop of the New Testament and its writers. After completing this course, you can approach the New Testament with an understanding of its context and how that context influences our Christian faith today.
Throughout this course, you will:
- Recognize significant people, writings, places, events, and movements in the Hellenistic and Jewish cultures of the Greco-Roman world up to the end of the first century AD.
- Explain and discuss the social, literary, political, legal, religious, and philosophical aspects of the Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures of the Greco-Roman world in relation to the New Testament.
- Analyze primary source texts from the Greco-Roman world and engage in careful comparative study of the New Testament within its historical, literary, and theological contexts.
- Assess how our knowledge of the Greco-Roman world informs our understanding of the New Testament, Christian beliefs, practice.
About RBC's Online Audit:
When you audit an online course with RBC, you’ll get the opportunity to grow in God’s Word, wherever you are. You’ll have access to course lecture videos, digital course materials, a list of textbooks, and the reading schedule for spiritual growth and learning purposes without participating in assignments, assessments, or direct communication with the professor and students.
Course Information:
- The fall 2026 semester occurs from August 17, 202 through December 11, 2026. Lectures will only be available to view during the semester.
- One lecture is uploaded per week and viewable during the duration of the semester. Each lecture is about two hours and forty-five minutes long.
- This course will be taught in alignment with Ligonier Ministries’ statement of faith and the consensus of the historic Reformed confessions as recorded in the Three Forms of Unity, Westminster Standards, and the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
About the Instructor:
Dr. Matthew A. Dudreck is assistant dean and associate professor of New Testament at Reformation Bible College. He earned two M.A. degrees from Wheaton College (Biblical Exegesis; Historical & Systematic Theology), a Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (New Testament), and a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary, where he also previously taught as a lecturer in New Testament. In his dissertation, he examined the use of Jeremiah in the book of Revelation.
Payment Information:
- The regular audit rate of $180 will begin on August 17, 2026 and end on September 14, 2026.
- No refunds will be issued after your payment has been received.
If you have any questions, please contact us at onlinelearning@reformationbiblecollege.org.