It is not so very important for a person to learn facts. For that he does not really need a college. He can learn them from books. The value of an education in a liberal arts college is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think something that cannot be learned from textbooks.
 (Albert Einstein, 1921, in response to Thomas Edison’s opinion that a college education is useless)

 

In much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase knowledge increase in sorrow.
 (Ecclesiastes 1.18)

Schedule


Evaluation


Exegesis Guidelines


Resources


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 REL 209 (formerly 254): Paul and His Letters

Fall Semester • 2005 

 

 Welcome!

Welcome to Religion 209: Paul and His Letters (or "Everything you always wanted to know about Paul, but were too afraid or busy to ask")! This course is a general introduction to, and an exploration of, portions of the New Testament attributed to Paul. More specifically, our aim will be

•

to read carefully and critically various passages in the undisputed letters of Paul;

•

to survey the deutero-Pauline letters (i.e., disputed letters) while comparing their content to the undisputed letters;

•

to explore the meaning of the letters by setting them in their historical context (e.g., cultural, geographical, literary, political contexts) as well as in relation to contemporary thought;

•

to discern major themes and issues for clarifying what Paul wrote and to consider its significance for the history of western civilization and for us;

•

to become familiar with the methodological issues involved in Pauline interpretation; and

•

to cultivate a reading of Pauline letters that is both critical and creative by developing exegetical skills using modern methods of interpretation, especially the historical-critical method.

Achieving these goals will require hard work on your part. At the same time, you can expect this course to be full of challenging, enlightening, exciting, frustrating, and rewarding experiences.

 Caveat

This course is designed so that anyone, religious or not, who does the required work can attain the goals mentioned above. This course is not designed to persuade you to a particular faith or religious point of view. Nor is it intended to build up or disparage existing faith. Students who consider themselves to be followers of any religion, or no religion at all, are all welcome on this semester journey to become better acquainted with Paul's letters and to become informed and responsible interpreters of them.

 Requirements and evaluation for the course

Evaluation

For my criteria for evaluation of your work go to Evaluation and read the information carefully.

Assigned

readings

The readings are essential and should be completed before the class for which they are assigned. Keeping notes on the readings is highly recommended. Occasionally there may be additional readings assigned in class, but these will ordinarily be short. You are required to come to class with written questions or comments you have about the readings (see Participation). The primary focus throughout the course will be on the Pauline texts.

Discussion

starter

You will prepare a discussion starter during the semester covering

•

the main ideas of the reading assignment (see the Assignments column in the course schedule below for the texts to be presented),

•

your critique or response to it, and questions you had while, or after, reading the assignment.

You should aim for 15–20 minutes. You're expected to have read the text(s) carefully and be able to share the penetrating questions or issues you dealt with in your reading, preparation, or even further research. NB: you don't necessarily have to understand everything before class, but you should demonstrate that you prepared and that you're familiar with the major issues in the text(s).

 

Remember that questions are more valuable than answers. You should include or suggest challenges, discoveries, insights, questions, etc. for class discussion. See my Evaluation page under Presentations for evaluation criteria (ignore "Communication Skills" section of the Presentation evaluation page). If you'd like to use "smart" equipment, let me know as soon as possible.

Annotated

map

You will draw an annotated map of the Roman Empire during the 1st century.

•

You must draw the map by hand (on a letter-size paper). How colorful or artistic the map is will not affect the grade.

•

The map must show important boundaries, territories, cities, etc. Show

1) the most significant places in Palestine,

2) other significant places around the Mediterranean Sea, and

3) all the places where Paul sent his undisputed letters.

 

The map should include at least the following: Alexandria, Antioch, Athens, Jerusalem, Rome.

•

Write a 2–3 page paper as annotation for the map, explaining the significance of the most prominent places for the Roman Empire, including the places where Paul sent his letters. The annotations should provide at least the basic or notable facts about the places.

•

Follow all the instructions given on my Evaluation page under Written assignments.

•

The Oxford Bible Atlas and the maps at the end of your study Bible are good places to start. You may find NOAB 505–25 ES also helpful. For a little extra help click here.

Exegesis

paper

You will submit a 4–5 page exegesis paper on one of the Pauline passages indicated on the syllabus. For help with exegesis go to Exegesis guidelines and read the information carefully. Follow all the instructions given on my Evaluation page under Written assignments.

•

Before the final draft of the paper, you must make an appointment with me to submit the following two preliminary assignments, the quality of which may affect your final paper grade. Please make an appointment as early as you can for the consultation.

 

• Bibliography: submit in one file 1) a paragraph stating your research interest and 2) a bibliography (i.e., a list) of at least 8 print sources (not including course textbooks or reference books) you have found to be promising for your paper, including 4 journal articles related to the topic. NB: you may use Web sources but they will not count among the 10 sources required for the bibliography assignment.

 

• Draft: submit in one file 1) a clear introductory paragraph stating the thesis of your paper, 2) two sample paragraphs, and 3) your revised bibliography.

 

NB: You are responsible for scheduling an appointment to bring a hard copy of these two written assignments to discuss them with me (after submitting them on the R-drive). See the schedule below for the last possible dates for them and make an appointment as soon as possible.

•

The paper should represent original work (i.e., your own thoughts), not a mere digest of other people’s opinions. Your own reading and re-reading of the relevant texts, as well as review of other materials, are fundamental to the task. I want to know what you discover in your engagement with the text(s)—a "text" can be written works, art works, music, plays, movies, interview, research results, poll data etc.—whether or not you agree with the authors or the opinions presented in class, including mine.

 

NB: Focus on honing your ability to argue for your opinions and conclusions by supporting them with evidence from texts (especially primary texts) and other relevant sources.

•

Your final bibliography (or works cited) must contain at least 6 secondary sources, including 3 journal articles used in your paper.

 

NB: Use only printed sources in your paper, even if you used Web sources during your research. For this paper, please use footnotes.

Terms

Throughout the semester, you’ll be responsible for learning significant terms covered in our texts or in class. You will be responsible for the definitions and, when appropriate, significant biblical passages related to the terms. Use 1) the course texts, 2) the resources listed in Resources to consider below, or 3) the “terms” file on the R-drive, where the terms to be covered on quizzes and exams will be highlighted and updated.

Quizzes

&

exams

There will be a midterm exam (ca. 30 mins.) covering all the materials in the course, including the reading assignments and terms we will have covered by the time of the exam. The final exam, which will be an oral exam, will cover the entire sweep of the course. See my Evaluation page under Quizzes and examinations. The instructor reserves the right to administer pop quizzes, the results of which will affect the evaluation of your participation.

Grades

Grades will be assigned as fairly as possible. See my Evaluation page under Grades for more information. The final grade for the course will consist of the following:

•

exegesis paper

30%

NB: participation is a significant part of this course.

See my Evaluation page under Participation for more information and instructions.

•

final examination

20%

•

participation

15%

•

map assignment

15%

•

discussion starter

10%

•

midterm exam

10%

Extra

credit

You may earn extra credit any time during the semester.

•

Submit a 2–3 page reflection paper relating something from popular culture (e.g., movie, play, TV show, book, any performance) to a particular Pauline text or theme (consult the instructor). Mere plot summaries are not acceptable.

•

Do other extra credit assignments described in the file on the R-drive.

Caveat: The instructor reserves the right to make the final determination concerning any extra credit. You can earn a maximum of 5% towards the final grade. You may write more than one, if you wish, but you won't receive more than 5% total in extra credit.

 Required books

•

The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha (NRSV), 3rd ed. You may use another Bible, if you wish, but the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB) will be the common text for class assignments and discussions. In all cases, you are encouraged to use other English translations (e.g., NIV) and Bibles in other languages in addition to the NRSV. The Tanakh is especially recommended for comparison of Old Testament passages.

•

Achtemeier, Paul. Inspiration and Authority: Nature and Function of Christian Scripture. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999.

•

Keck, Leander L. Paul and His Letters. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988.

•

Roetzel, Calvin. The Letters of Paul. 4th ed. Westminster John Knox Press, 1998.

 Recommended books (* = highly recommended)

 

Tanakh. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1985 (5748).

 

Beker, J. Christiaan. Paul the Apostle: The Triumph of God in Life and Thought. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1980.

*

Brown, Michael J. What They Don't Tell You: A Survivor's Guide to Biblical Studies. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2000.

*

Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday, 1997.

*

_____. An Introduction to New Testament Christology. New York: Paulist Press, 1994.

*

_____. Responses to 101 Questions on the Bible. New York: Paulist Press,1990.

Duling, Dennis C. and Norman Perrin. The New Testament: Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History. 3rd ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1994.
  Käsemann, Ernst. Perspectives on Paul. Philadelphia, Fortress Press, 1971.

Meeks, Wayne, ed. The Writings of St. Paul. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 1999.

* 

Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1979. (See my Resources page under Miscellaneous for the first edition of Strunk.)

 Resources to consider

See my Resources page for McGill, AV, & Web resources, esp. The NT Gateway.

R-drive: for helpful materials, check not only the course folder but also the "Religion" folder.

Bible concordances (McGill library)

Ferguson, Duncan S. Bible Basics. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1995.

 

Turner, Nicholas. The Handbook for Biblical Studies. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1982.

 Keeping in touch

During the semester check your e-mail regularly for the latest messages from me regarding course matters (e.g., changes in the syllabus). For updates to the syllabus, check this page regularly, as well as my home page for other information and resources related to the course. If you wish to to make an appointment about any course matters with me, please see my schedule on my homepage and then call or e-mail me with 2 or 3 possible meeting times.

 Tips from former students

For some practical advice from former students, see the tips page.

 One last word …

Regardless of how tough all the stuff above sounds, I’m pretty much a nice guy. I promise to be as fair as possible. I recognize that you’ll be quite busy this semester, striving after all your passions. I understand. I have my passions too: my awesome, wonderful family, music, the Bible, the Reformed tradition, nature, mountain biking, fixing things, and food, among other things. But I’m also very passionate about education, both yours and mine—I don’t just mean the business of acquiring knowledge, but more importantly the total development of honorable human beings. I don't require you to share my excitement about all the things we'll cover, but I do expect you to complete all the requirements for the course. To help you do that as well as you can, I will make myself available outside the class time and the office hours. I'll be more than glad to help you out when you're stuck while doing an assignment. Or if you have any questions, concerns, complaints, and even compliments, I will do my best to take the time to listen and offer my opinion or advice. Keep in mind that I'm here to help you learn and to continue learning myself. So, again, welcome to Religion 209: Paul and His Letters!

C o u r s e   S c h e d u l e

TR 11:00–12:30          PH 228


Date

 


Assignments

• = required

> = recommended

bold = text for discussion


Project / text

highlight  = R-drive file

bold = text for paper
red bold = deadlines


Class / topic

Aug 30

T

Welcome to
 REL 209:
 Paul and His Letters

>Bible Hunt
•Optical illusion (stare at the center for 30 seconds & then look at your hand)

 

•General orientation
•Who was Paul?

Sep 1

R

•Course syllabus (including Evaluation link)
•2Pet 3.15–16
•Roetzel: ix–5
•Keck: ix–2

•Fisher: Effective Learning

•NOAB: 453–525ES (NB: these pages appear after the NT; also see following 3 class days); skim carefully

•Terms 1


 >NOAB: ix–xxviii

>Brooks & Collins: “Introduction” to Hebrew Bible or Old Testament

>Brown: Responses, Q1–14
>Development of the canon

•Copy all relevant Web pages to your hard disk or diskette
•Reminder: bring your Qs & Cs to each class (see Participation)


>Bible in 50 words
>Perception quiz
>Riddles

>Study Guide 1

•"Introduction: Contrary Impressions"
•Trying to understand Paul
•Preliminary stuff: terms, concepts & approaches

Sep 6

T

•Roetzel: ch. 1
•NOAB: 453–525ES (NB: these pages appear after the NT); skim carefully

•Terms 2


>Chronology (info & links)
>Syncretism and Harry Potter

•Translation comparison
•The Greeks (interactive site)
•Reminder: bring your Qs & Cs to each class (see Participation)

 

>Study Guide 2

•1. "Paul & His World"

•Discussion: Brownstein

Sep 8

R

•Roetzel: ch. 2
•1Thess 1.1–10
•1Cor 1.1–9
•2Cor 1.1–7
•Gal 1.1–5
•Phil 1.1–11
•Rom 1.1–17
•Phlm 1–7
•NOAB: 453–525ES (NB: these pages appear after the NT); skim carefully

•Terms 3

•Reminder: bring your Qs & Cs to each class (see Participation)

 

>Redaction & hermeneutics (funny & instructive)

>Study Guide 3

•2. "The Anatomy of the Letters"
 •Discussion: Campbell

Sep 13

T

•Roetzel: ch. 3

•Isa 49.1–6
•Jer 1.1–10
•Rom 1.3-5; 3.25; 4.25; 10.9
•1Cor 11.23–25; 15.3–7
•Phil 2.6–11

•NOAB: 453–525ES (NB: these pages appear after the NT); skim carefully

•Terms 4

>Study Guide 4

•3. "Traditions behind the Letters"
 •Discussion: Cole

Sep 15

R

•Roetzel: ch. 4
 •Terms 5

>Study Guide 5

•4. "The Letters as Conversations"

•Discussion: Hefner

Sep 20

T

•Roetzel: ch. 5

•Phil 2.6–11
•Rom 8.38; 1Cor 15.24
•Eph 1.20–23 (cf. 1Cor 15.25–28; Ps 8.6; 110.1); 3.10; 6.10–17
•Col 1.16; 2.10, 15
•1Pet 3.22
 •Terms 6

 

>Myth

>Study Guide 6

•5. "Paul and His Myths"
 •Discussion: McCarty

Sep 22

R

•Roetzel: ch. 6

•2Pet 3.15–16
 •Terms 7

 

•Elaine Pagels's lecture: "Gnosticism, Early Christianity, and the Secret Gospels" (Sep 22, 18:30, Orr Auditorium)

>Study Guide 7

•6. "The First Interpreters of Paul"

•Discussion: Scott

Sep 23

F

Movie night with the Nas 7:47-ish

directions on the R-drive (view in MS Word: in menu, click View>Print Layout) or click here

Sep 27

T

•Roetzel: ch. 7

•Rom 13 (cf. 1 Pet)

•Terms 8

•Rom 13.1–7 (cf. 1 Pet): what about the empire? (cf. Rev's point of view on the empire & how believers ought to relate to it)

 

>Study Guide 8

•Quiz #1
•7. "Currents and Crosscurents"

•Church & state?

•Discussion: Woomer

Sep 29

R

•Keck: ch. 1

•Rom (esp. Rom 1–4)
•Rom 2.13; 3.20, 28; 10

•2Cor 5.10
•Jas 2
•Mt 7.12–29
 •Ernst Käsemann, "The Faith of Abraham in Romans 4" in Perspectives on Paul, 79–101
•Keck 50–54 (review; esp. 52), 66–67
 •Heikki Räisänen, "Paul's Conversion and the Development of His View of the Law," New Testament Studies 33 (1987) 404–19

•Terms 9

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Rom 4 (cf. Gal 3): pistis & nomos >Study Guide 9

•1. "Paul the Problem"

•The indicative & the imperative
•The nature of pistis
•Law & gospel

•Discussion: Bartley

Oct 4

T

•Keck: ch. 2

•Rom

•1Cor 11.17–34

•Gal 3.25–29

•Terms 10

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Rom 6.1–7.6: baptism
•1Cor 11.17–34: Lord's Supper

NB: For the exegesis paper, choose only one text.

 

>Study Guide 10

•2. "The Theology of Paul & the Theology of the Letters"

•Baptism & the Lord's Supper

•Discussion: Brownstein

Oct 5

W

>Henderson Lecture

"In a Mirror, Dimly: The Historicality and Metaphoricality of Paul”

Kang Na

19:00, Witherspoon (in McKelvey)

Oct 6

R

•Keck: ch. 3

•Rom

•Rom 8.28–30; 9.1–29
•1Cor 4.6–7
•2Cor 3.4–6
•Eph 1.2–23
•Isa 29.16; 45.9; 64.8
•Jer 18.1–11

•Terms 11

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Rom 9.1–29: providence & grace

 

>Study Guide 11

•3. "The Pivotal Event"
•God's election
•Pottery & predestination: God's freedom
 •Discussion: Campbell

Oct 11

T

•Keck: ch. 4

•Rom

•Rom 9–11
•Ernst Käsemann, "Justification and Salvation History in the Epistle to the Romans" in Perspectives on Paul, 60–78

•Terms 12

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Bibliography due (R-drive; file name = "last name bib.doc"; see example of file name on R-drive)

 

•Rom 9–11: what about Israel?

 

>Study Guide 12

•4. "The Salvific Response"

•Israel & God's promise
•The Jew-Gentile problem
 •Discussion: Cole

Oct 13

R

•Keck: ch. 5

•1 Cor

•1Cor 1.10–17; 5; 10.23–14.40
•Gal 5

•Rom 9–11
•Ernst Käsemann, "Justification and Salvation History in the Epistle to the Romans" in Perspectives on Paul, 60–78

•Terms 13

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•1Cor 6.12–20; 10.23–11.1 & 1Cor 13: pistis, eleutheria & agape

 

>Study Guide 13

•Midterm exam

 

•5. "The Deeper Logic of Paul's Gospel"

•Corinthian problems with freedom
•Ethos & ethics

•Discussion: Hefner

Oct 15–18

Catch up on some sleep

Oct 20

R

•Keck: ch. 6

•1 Cor

•Terms 14

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•1Cor 6

 

>Study Guide 14

•6. "Dimensions of Trust"

•Sex & marriage

•Discussion: McCarty

Oct 25

T

•Keck: ch. 7

•1 Cor

•Eph 5.21–6.9
•Col 3.18–4.1
•1Tim 2.8–15
•1Pet 2.18–3.7
•Rom 10.11–13; Gal 3.27–29; 1Cor 12.12–13; Col 3.9–11

(Who's in charge?)

•Terms 15

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Map of Roman Empire due (R-drive; file name = "last name Map Rome.doc"; see example of file name on R-drive)

 

•1Cor 11.3–16: what about women?

 

>Study Guide 15

•7. "Spirit and Body"

•Is it Paul? Paul revisited, revised?
•Who’s in charge?: the masculinization of the church & the gospel of freedom
 •Discussion: Scott

Oct 27

R

•Keck: ch. 8

•1 Cor

•Rom 13.8–10

•Terms 16

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Draft of exegesis paper due (R-drive; file name = "last name draft.doc"; see example of file name on R-drive)

 

•1Cor 13

 

>Study Guide 16

•Quiz #2

•8. "The Moral Integrity of God"

•Why love?

 

Happy !

Nov 1

T

•Keck: Appendix (126–58)

•1 Cor

•Terms 17

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•1Cor 15

 

>Study Guide 17

•"Paul's Theology in Historical Criticism"

•The resurrection

•Discussion: Woomer

Nov 3

R

•Phil 1.1–11 (+ critical commentary of your choice)
•Achtemeier: Foreword; Forward rev; Intro; ch. 1
•2 Cor

•2Cor 12.1–10

•Terms 18

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•2Cor 12.1–10

 

>Study Guide 18

•Paul's visions?

•Discussion: Bartley

 

•Philippians (from this class on, we'll try to spend ca. 30 minutes of class time on Philippians)

Nov 8

T

•Phil 1.12–26
•Gal

•2Cor 5.14–19
•Acts 9.1–22; 22.3–21; 26.4–18
•Isa 49.1–6
•Jer 1.1–10
 •Segal: "Conversion in Paul's Society" (Paul the Convert, 72–114)
 •J. Christiaan Beker, Paul the Apostle, 3–10

•Terms 19

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Gal 1.13–17; 2.19–21 & Phil 3.4–11: call or conversion?

 

>Study Guide 19

•Paul's call (or is it conversion?)

•Discussion: Brownstein

 

•Philippians

Nov 10

R

•Phil 1.27–2.18
•Achtemeier: ch. 2

•Gal

•Gal 1.6–2.21

•Terms 20

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Gal 1.6–2.21: autobiography?

 

>Study Guide 20

•The truth of the gospel

•Discussion: Campbell

 

•Philippians

Nov 15

T 

•Phil 2.19–30
•Achtemeier: ch. 3

•Gal

•Gal 3 & Rom 4

•Gal 5
•Rom 7.7–25

•Terms 21

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Gal 3 & Rom 4: pistis & nomos (again)

 

>Study Guide 21

•The problem with Abraham
•What about the Torah?

•Discussion: Cole

 

•Philippians

Nov 17

R

•Phil 3.1–21
•Achtemeier: ch. 4

•Gal

•Rom 3 (esp. 22–23, 30)
•Col 3.5–11
•Eph 2.11–22
•Lev 19 (esp. 19.15, 33–34)
•Ex 23.1–3
•Keck: 6–36 (review), esp. conclusion

•Terms 22

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Gal 3.26–29; Rom 10.5–13; 1Cor 12.12–13 & Phlm: unity or equality, or both in Christ

 

>Study Guide 22

•Paul's egalitarian faith
•Is everybody really in?

•Discussion: Hefner

 

•Philippians

Nov 22

T

•Phil 4.1–9
•Achtemeier: ch. 5

•Gal

•Terms 23

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Exegesis paper due (R-drive; file name = "last name paper.doc"; see example of file name on R-drive)

 

•Gal 5.1–14: Christian freedom

 

>Study Guide 23

no class

•work on paper

 

•Galatian problems with freedom

 

 

•Philippians

Nov 23–27

Happy Thanksgiving

Nov 29

T

•Phil 4.10–20

•Achtemeier: ch. 6

•1 Thess

•Rom 13.11–14

•1Cor 15.12–28
•2Cor 4.13–15; 4.16–5.5
•Phil 3.17–21
•Col 3.1–4
•2Thess 2.1–12

•Terms 24

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•1Thess 4.13–18 (cf. 1Cor 15.51–58)

 

>Study Guide 24

•Last things first

•The apocalyptic Paul (the Platonic Paul?)

•Discussion: McCarty

 

•Philippians

Dec 1

R

•Phil 4.21–4.23
•Achtemeier: ch. 7, Epilogue

•Phlm

•Terms 25

 

>Roetzel: ch. 4

•Last day for extra credit papers (R-drive)

 

>Study Guide 25

•Quiz #3 (early dismissal)

•One in Christ?

•Discussion: Scott

 

•Philippians

Dec 6

T

•Gabler: "On the Proper Distinction between Biblical and Dogmatic Theology and the Specific Objectives of Each" (Scottish Journal of Theology 33 [1980] 133–58)