Olivet Theological College and Seminary began its lectures for the 2014 academic winter quarter by featuring an intensive course on "The Background to the Gospels" instructed by Dr. Merilyn Copland.

The class will be held for 2 weeks, holding intensive lectures each day while giving students a firm and comprehensive background on the gospel documents in the New Testament.  The course also covers the times they were created in and analyzing the people addressed.

"Extending the scope of and quality of our class offerings is one of the priorities of OTCS," said the college's program director. "We are happy to have added Dr. Copland to our faculty and hope our students will have fruitful studies and conversations with her."

This course is being offered for the first time to OTCS students under its new professor, making it a valuable addition to the college’s standard course offerings for 2014.

Dr. Copland is an expert in Mediterranean archaeology particularly as it relates to the Bible and holds a Ph.D. in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archaeology from UC Berkeley.  She earned Master's Degrees in History from San Francisco State University and holds degrees in Hebrew language and Literature from Jerusalem University College.  Dr. Copland has co-authored a book for Christian touring in Greece and Israel as well as speaking on the Book of Revelations in TV appearances.  Dr. Copland has taught at several colleges, universities, and seminaries in the US and abroad, and is currently a professor of Bible, Theology, and Archaeology at William Jessup University in Sacramento, California.