Lectures | Shane J. Wood

The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is a course designed to engage in a “verse-by-verse” study of the last book of the New Testament. Listeners will learn how the book of Revelation challenges the reader not to predict the future but to engage Jesus intimately. Shane interprets Revelation from a first-century perspective with the goal of applying the text to the reader today. This focus challenges the student to view Revelation’s target not as “predicting the future” but as “transforming the reader.” Continue

The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is a course designed to engage in a “verse-by-verse” study of the first book of the New Testament. Listeners will learn Matthew’s unique presentation of Jesus as the royal Messiah through the various narratives and the five major discourses. Shane interprets the gospel specifically through the lens of “kingdom.” This focus challenges the student to hear Jesus’ words and see his deeds in light of the dominant empires of his day—the Roman Empire and the Jewish elite. Continue

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark is a course designed to engage in a “verse-by-verse” study of the second book of the New Testament. Listeners will learn Mark’s unique presentation of Jesus as the powerful servant of God through his brisk narrative style. Shane interprets the gospel with special attention given to literary tactics and imperial interactions. This focus challenges the student to interact with Jesus’s words and deeds with the tension of the first century audience, experiencing the call of Christ anew in the 21st century. Continue

The Book of Acts

The Book of Acts is a “verse-by-verse” study that considers the expansion of Christianity between 30 C.E. and 62 C.E. Shane gives special attention to Luke’s unique theological emphases, imperial interactions, and suffering as a conduit of expansion in the kingdom of God. Hopefully, the listener will develop a reliance on the Holy Spirit and a love for the church through this study. Continue

Imagine: Today’s Church and Matthew 23-25

Shane offers a special study on Matthew 23-25 asking the question, “What would it look like if we imagine the church today functioning like the church of the first century?” The listener will engage various topics emerging from the fifth discourse in Matthew’s gospel, wrestling with the implications for their individual and corporate lives today. Continue

Theology of Biblical Justice

This course explores the theological foundations for biblical justice. Shane traces scriptural themes, including: justice, suffering, the government, poverty, and the church’s response to God’s call for “the least of these.” The listener will be challenged by Shane’s emphasis on Christ’s accomplishments (flowing from his actions and identity) as the conduit through which the identity and actions of the church are forged to produce not just social reform but God’s holistic biblical justice. Continue

Intro to the Gospels

Intro to the Gospels focuses on critical background issues that develop the undercurrent for the ocean of Gospel studies. Shane covers the historical background preceding (intertestamental period) and concurrent (messianic expectations) with the Gospels, historical critical issues concerning Christ and the Gospels, and various methodologies for studying the Gospels (e.g., literary analysis, etc.). Continue

New Testament Introduction

New Testament Introduction focuses on critical background issues that develop the undercurrent for the ocean of New Testament studies. From an imperial critical perspective, Shane describes the interaction of the Roman socio-historical setting in the books of the New Testament, with corresponding discussions on the benefits and limits of historical interpretation. Continue