| ||||||||
Pastoral Institute University of the Incarnate Word July 17 - 21, 2000 |
An introduction to the content and background of the letters attributed to Paul. Emphasis will be placed on Paul's biography, the literary structure and rhetorical strategy of his letters, and the specific issues addressed in each of the letters. Particular attention will be given to the social context of each of Paul's Christian communities and how this affects his strategy in addressing the social and theological issues that arose among them. We will also explore how these contexts and strategies inform various issues that arise in contexts of pastoral ministry today. At the successful completion of this course, students will:
(2) understand typical literary and rhetorical features of Paul's letters (3) demonstrate an ability to engage critical issues that arise in the analysis of passages from Paul's letters (4) demonstrate an ability to integrate Paul's letters into reflection on pastoral issues of today.
Richard S. Ascough Queen's Theological College Kingston, ON, Canada, K7L 3N6 Telephone: (613) 533-6000 x78066 Fax: (613) 533-6879 E-mail: rsa@post.queensu.ca Homepage: http://post.queensu.ca/~rsa
Read all thirteen letters of Paul (read each letter in one sitting). Read the Book of Acts (preferably in one sitting). Almost any version of the Bible is fine, although the New Revised Standard Version or Revised Standard Version is recommended for study purposes. Please do not use the King James Version or the Living Bible. James S. Jeffers, The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament: Exploring the Background of Early Christianity, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1999). Calvin Roetzel, The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context, (4th edition; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998). Read the apocryphal Acts of Paul, sections 2, 8, 10. Copies are available through the office of the Pastoral Institute, or you can access the text through the internet at http://wesley.nnc.edu/noncanon/acts/actpaul.htm. Krister Stendahl, "Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West" in Paul Among the Jews and Gentiles and Other Essays (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1976) 78-96. A copy can be obtained through the office of the Pastoral Institute. All required reading should be completed before the class begins. Supplementary reading is provided for those interested in pursuing the topic(s) further. All students should come to class prepared to discuss the readings and the discussion questions/topics in detail.
30% Pauline Letter, 3 pages, double spaced [assessment of outcomes 1 and 2]. Write a letter from Paul addressing the following situation: The members of the Corinthian Christian community have recently healed their rifts and become a unified congregation. According to the last report worship is proceeding in an orderly, Spirit-filled manner. However, Claudius Hostilius Philadelphus, who has been a member of the congregation along with his household for some time and is a generous benefactor, has also started attending the bi-weekly meetings of the association of garment makers. At these meetings there is much drinking along with libations poured out to Dionysos. The Corinthians have written to Paul to ask how they should deal with the situation. Paul considers Claudius a friend and stayed at his house for part of his time at Corinth.Your letter should show how Paul would react to the situation, who he would address, and what he would recommend. The letter should also include the features of a typical Pauline letter and must take into consideration the social context of the recipients in their particular first century socio-cultural context. The use of secondary sources is permitted but not required (nor recommended!). Due on Friday July 21, 2000.
A paper written as
an exegesis of any passage the Pauline letters (about 15 verses), or on a
specific historical or theological topic arising from the letters. The focus of the paper
should be the critical exegetical issues in the text or the critical
historical and/or theological issues surrounding the topic. This
assignment is not a sermon, but an academic paper and should be written in
accordance with academic style. The paper can be submitted through the
mail, by e-mail, or by fax but must arrive by the due date.
Bible Study Guide, 6-8 pages, double spaced
Choose any passage
in the letters attributed to Paul (about 15 verses) and develop a Bible
study guide for the passage. Begin by briefly describing your audience and
stating the primary learning goals of the study. Include the questions
that you will use to frame the discussion. For each question provide brief
summaries of the type of things you would like to bring out of the group
in each of the questions. Also include information that you will provide
to the group to help them understand the social and literary context of
the passage. Include any handouts or visual helps you might use. Be sure
to also include "so what" questions that connect the passage to the
group's situation(s). This assignment is not to read like a sermon but a
guide to group discussion. At the same time, I do expect full sentences
and an academic style when discussing exegetical and contextual issues for
each question. The paper can be submitted through the mail, by e-mail, or
by fax but must arrive by the due date.
Grades for this course will be assigned according to the standards listed
in the Graduate Bulletin.
"A" indicates a superior grasp of the subject matter of the course,
initiative and originality in assessing problems, and ability to relate
knowledge to situations.
"B" indicates satisfactory performance in control of the subject matter
and ability to apply principles with intelligence.
"C" indicates less than satisfactory performance, and may disqualify for
further study.
"F" indicates failure in the course or withdrawal without following proper
procedures. A grade of F will cause the removal of the student from the
program.
"IP" indicates that the student's achievement in the course has been
satisfactory, but certain prescribed work is incomplete. The deficiency must be removed
within one year after receiving the IP except in research courses. No
more than 6 hours of IP may be carried at one time.
Academic Integrity
Remember that academic dishonesty is a serious offense and can result in a
grade of F and/or dismissal. All use of sources in any form, paper or
electronic, must be acknowledged and documented in both written and oral
presentations. This includes indirect use of another's ideas as well as
direct quotation. Please be sure to read the policy on Academic Integrity
in the Graduate Bulletin.
Disability Statement
The university provides support services for students with
disabilities. Any student who anticipates the need for assistance,
support services or reasonable accommodations related to a disability
should contact Lorena Novak, Coordinator of Student Disability Support
Services (AD 146, Tel. 283-5056).
Required Readings: Acts 7:59-8:3; 9:1 - 28:31; Roetzel 1998:1-78, 161-81
Supplementary: Jewett 1994:3-31; Banks 1994:1-36, 213-18Soards 1987:7-41; Knox 1987:3-90; Jewett 1979; Ascough 1998; Malherbe 19889; Hock 1980; Ferguson 1993; Meeks 1986:9-50; Branick 1989; Doty 1973:27-63; Mack 1990:25-50, 56-73; Stowers 1986:15-57; Trobish 1994.
Monday 1:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Required Readings: 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Acts 17:1-9; Roetzel 1998:79-83, 148-52
Discussion: How does Paul conceive the end of the world in 1 Thess 4:13-18,
5:1-11? Is there a difference when he writes 1 Cor 15:50-56?
Does 2 Thess 2:1-12 cohere with or contradict the other texts?
Supplementary: Jewett 1994:73-86; Soards 1987:47-56, 131-37; Bailey 1979:131-45; Jewett 1993; Malherbe 1987.
Tuesday 8:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Required Readings: 1 Corinthians; Acts 18:1-17; Roetzel 1998:83-96
Discussion: What is Paul's attitude towards women according to 1 Cor 11:12-
16 and 14:34-36? Should we teach these texts in our churches in
the early 21st century?
Supplementary: Jewett 1994:98-111; Banks 1994:149-69Soards 1987:71-81; Mitchell 1991; Hurd 1965; Fee 1994.
Tuesday 1:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Required Readings: 2 Corinthians; Banks 1994:67-108
Discussion: How does Paul defend his ministry in 2 Cor 10-12? What
strategies does Paul use in 2 Cor 8-9 to encourage the Corinthians
to participate in his collection of money for the Jerusalem
Christians?
Supplementary: Soards 1987:82-94; Ascough 1996; Georgi 1992.
Wednesday 8:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Required Readings: Galatians; Roetzel 1998:96-103
Discussion: What is Paul's attitude towards the Jewish Law according to Gal
2:15 - 4:20? Who were Paul's opponents in Galatia (i.e.,
"pillars," James, false brothers, non-Christian Jews, Jewish
Christians, others, imagined) and how does their theology differ
from Paul's (use texts to support your answer)?
Supplementary: Jewett 1994:45-58; Banks 1994:109-17; Soards 1987:57-67; Sanders 1977:esp. 1-29, 419-28; Plevnik 1986:55-76.
Wednesday 1:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Required Readings: Philippians; Acts 16:10-40; Roetzel 1998:113-16, 182-90
Discussion: From your reading of Philippians what indicators do you find of
the social status of the recipients of the letter and the community
structure in place among them?
Supplementary: Banks 1994:118-38; Soards 1987:112-21; Witherington 1994.
Thursday 8:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Required Readings: Philemon; Acts 19; Pliny, Epistles 9.21, 24 (provided by instructor);
SIG 2.845 (provided by instructor); Roetzel 1998:116-118
Discussion: Compare the epistolary structure and rhetorical strategy of the letters of Pliny with that of Paul to Philemon. Examine the practice of sacred manumission in SIG2 845 and be prepared to discuss its relationship to Philemon.
Supplementary: Jewett 1994:59-69; Marshall 1993:187-91Soards 1987:152-57; Petersen 1985:43-70; Martin 1990:1-49; Rapske 1994.
Thursday 1:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Required Readings: Romans; Roetzel 1998:103-13; 119-32; Stendahl 1976:78-96
Discussion: Why did Paul write his letter to the Roman Christian community?
How does Stendahl's argument affect our understanding of Rom
7:13-25? What is Paul's view of "the Jews" in Rom 9-11? Is
this different from his view in other letters (be specific)?
Supplementary: Soards 1987:95-111; Wedderburn 1991:1-65; Jervis 1991:11-28; Fitzmyer 1989; Dunn 1997; Soards 1987:95-111; Nanos 1996; Donfried 1991; Stowers 1994; Jewett 1994:32-44, 87-97 Banks 1994:170-88.
Friday 8:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Required Readings: Colossians; Ephesians; Roetzel 1998:133-48
Discussion: What is the notion of church (ecclesiology) in Colossians and
Ephesians? Is it similar to or different from the ecclesiology in
other pauline letters (use specific texts to support your answer)?
Supplementary: Banks 1994:37-66; Soards 1987:138-55; Lincoln and Wedderburn 1993; Balch 1981.
Friday 1:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Required Readings: 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Acts of Paul and Thecla (section 2 of Acts of Paul, also available at http://wesley.nnc.edu/noncanon/acts/plnthec.htm); Roetzel 1998:153-60
Discussion: Describe the attitudes towards women found in Acts of Paul and
Thecla"; how does this compare with that found in the Pastoral
Epistles?
Supplementary: Jewett 1994:112-27; Banks 1994:189-200; Soards 1987:156-62; MacDonald 1983:54-77; Kidd 1990.
------. 1997. "Translocal Relationships Among Voluntary Associations and Early Christianity." Journal of Early Christian Studies 5/2: 223-41.
------. 1996. "The Completion of a Religious Duty: The Background of 2 Cor 8.1-15." New Testament Studies 42/4: 584-99.
Bailey, John A. 1979. "Who Wrote II Thessalonians." New Testament Studies 25:131-45.
Balch, David L. 1981. Let Wives Be Submissive: The Domestic Code in 1 Peter. Chico: Scholars Press.
Banks, Robert. 1994. Paul's Idea of Community: Revised Edition. Peabody: Hendrickson.
Bornkamm, Günther. 1971. Paul. New York: Harper & Row.
Branick, Vincent. 1989. The House Church in the Writings of Paul. Wilmington: Michael Glazier.
Donfried, Karl P. 1991. The Romans Debate: Revised and Expanded Edition. Peabody: Hendrickson.
Doty, William G. 1973. Letters in Primitive Christianity. GBS. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Dunn, James D. G. 1997. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
Fee, Gordon D. 1996. Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God. Peabody: Hendrickson.
------. 1994. God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Peabody: Hendrickson.
Ferguson, Everett. 1993. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. 1989. Paul and His Theology: A Brief Sketch. 2nd Edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. [=NJBC §§ 79, 82]
Francis, Fred O. and J. Paul Sampley. 1984. Pauline Parallels. 2nd edition. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Furnish, Victor Paul. 1985. The Moral Teaching of Paul: Selected Issues. 2nd edition. Nashville: Abingdon.
Georgi, Dieter. 1992. Remembering the Poor: The History of Paul's Collection for Jerusalem. Nashville: Abingdon.
Hock, Ronald F. 1980. The Social Context of Paul's Ministry: Tentmaking and Apostleship. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Hurd, John C. 1965. The Origin of 1 Corinthians. Macon: Mercer University Press.
Jervis, L. Ann. 1991. The Purpose of Romans: A Comparative Letter Structure Investigation. JSNTSup 55. Sheffied: JSOT Press.
Jewett, Robert. 1994. Paul the Apostle to America: Cultural Trends and Pauline Scholarship. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.
------. 1979. A Chronology of Paul's Life. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Keck, Leander E. and Victor Paul Furnish. 1984. The Pauline Letters. Nashville: Abingdon.
Kidd, Reggie M. 1990. Wealth and Beneficience in the Pastoral Epistles: A "Bourgeois" Form of Early Christianity? SBLDS 122. Atlanta: Scholars Press.
Knox, John. 1987. Chapters in a Life of Paul. 2nd Edition. Macon: Mercer University Press.
Lincoln, Andrew J. and A. J. M. Wedderbrun. 1993. The Theology of the Later pauline Letters. New Testament Theology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
MacDonald, Dennis R. 1983. The Legend of the Apostle: The Battle for Paul in Story and Canon. Philadelphia: Westminster.
Mack, Burton L. 1990. Rhetoric and the New Testament. GBS. Minneapolis: Fortress.
Malherbe, Abraham J. 1989. Paul and the Popular Philosophers. Minneapolis: Fortress.
------. 1987. Paul and the Thessalonians: The Philosophic Tradition of Pastoral Care. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Marrow, Stanley B. 1986. Paul: His Letters and His Theology. An Introduction to Paul's Epistles. New York/Mahwah: Paulist.
Marshall, I. Howard. 1993. "The Theology of Philemon." In The Theology of the Shorter Pauline Letters, Karl P. Donfried and I. Howard Marshall, 177-91. New Testament Theology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Martin, Dale B. 1990. Slavery as Salvation: The Metaphor of Slavery in Pauline Christianity. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
Meeks, Wayne A. 1986. The Moral World of the First Christians. LEC 6. Philadelphia: Westminster.
------. 1983. The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Mitchell, Margaret M. 1991. Paul and the Rhetoric of Reconciliation: An Exegetical Investigation of the Language and Composition of 1 Corinthians. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.
Nanos, Mark D. 1996. The Mystery of Romans: The Jewish Context of Paul's Letter. Minneapolis: Fortress.
O'Toole, Robert F. 1990. Who Is a Christian: A Study in Pauline Ethics. Collegeville: Liturgical Press / Michael Glazier.
Pedersen, Norman R. 1985. Rediscovering Paul: Philemon and the Sociology of Paul's Narrative World. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Plevnik, Joseph. 1986. What Are They Saying About Paul? New York/Mahwah: Paulist.
Rapske, Brian. 1994. The Book of Acts and Paul in Roman Custody. BAFCS 3. Grand Rapids and Carlisle: Eerdmans and Paternoster.
Roetzel, Calvin. 1999. Paul: The Man and the Myth. Minneapolis: Fortress.
------. 1998. The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context. 4th edition. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.
Sanders, E. P. 1983. Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People. Minneapolis: Fortress.
--------. 1977. Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion. Minneapolis: Fortress.
Segal, Alan F. 1990. Paul the Convert: The Apostolate and Apostasy of Saul the Pharisee. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
Soards, Marion L. 1987. The Apostle Paul: An Introduction to His Writings and Teaching. New York and Mahwah: Paulist.
Stendahl, Krister. 1976. Paul Among the Jews and Gentiles and Other Essays. Philadelphia: Fortress.
Stowers, Stanley K. 1994. A Rereading of Romans: Justice, Jews, and Gentiles. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.
------. 1986. Letter Writing in Greco-Roman Antiquity. LEC 5. Philadelphia: Westminster.
Trobish, David. 1994. Paul's Letter Collection: Tracing the Origins. Minneapolis: Fortress.
Wedderburn, A. J. M. 1991. The Reasons for Romans. Minneapolis: Fortress.
Witherington, Ben. 1994. Friendship and Finances in Philippi: The Letters of Paul to the Philippians. The New Testament in Context. Valley Forge: Trinity Press International.
Young, Brad H. 1998. Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee Among Christians, Jews and Gentiles. Peabody: Hendrickson.
| |||||||