Jesus and the Old Testament

"Jesus and the Old Testament" explores how the earliest followers of Jesus read, reinterpreted, and reimagined Israel’s scriptures to understand who Jesus was and what his life meant. For them, the Old Testament wasn’t just background information—it was the essential lens through which they made sense of his teachings, death, and resurrection.

In this course, you’ll see how New Testament authors, deeply rooted in Jewish traditions, used scripture in surprising and sometimes subversive ways. They weren’t merely quoting texts to prove a point; they were retelling Israel’s story through the lens of Jesus, often giving new meaning to familiar passages.

You’ll learn how this approach was part of a broader Jewish practice of creative interpretation, especially during times of crisis. Rather than discarding the Old Testament, the early Christians claimed it afresh, showing how the story of Israel reaches its fulfillment—not in the way anyone expected—but in the person of Jesus.

Whether you're a serious Bible student, a curious believer, or simply someone interested in how ancient texts shape faith today, this course will give you the tools to read both Testaments with new eyes and deeper understanding.

How the New Testament's message is inseparable from the Old Testament's story.
Understand why early Christians re-read Israel’s scriptures in light of Jesus.
Discover how Jewish traditions of interpretation shaped the Gospels and Paul.
Learn why “fulfillment” doesn’t always mean “prediction came true.”
Examine how Israel’s crises elevated the role of scripture and its reinterpretation.
Reflect on how the New Testament reframes, not replaces, the Old Testament.
Explore what faithful interpretation of scripture means for readers today.

Dr. Pete Enns is the Abram S. Clemens Professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University and a leading voice in the world of Bible scholarship. He is the author of several influential books, including The Bible Tells Me So, How the Bible Actually Works, and Inspiration and Incarnation.

Dr. Enns is also the co-host of the widely acclaimed podcast The Bible for Normal People, which brings deep biblical insights to everyday listeners with honesty and humor. His work focuses on how the Bible was written, how it’s been interpreted over time, and how modern readers can engage it with both faith and critical thinking.

This lecture was originally delivered to a Christian audience, and Dr. Peter Enns presents the material through a Christian theological lens. However, he fully embraces the tools and insights of historical-critical scholarship throughout. Whether you're a person of faith or non-religious, you'll find this course deeply insightful and thought-provoking. It explores how New Testament authors creatively re-read and re-shaped Israel’s story around Jesus, offering a thought-provoking look at the dynamic relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

Contact information

Your name

Your first name

Your last name

Your email address

Verify your email address

Your business name

Phone no.

Billing address

State/region

Your street address

Your city

ZIP

State/region

ZIP

I agree to the terms and conditions

Yes, please send me marketing emails!

Contact information

Billing address

Payment information