Life and Teachings of Paul BT 726

Course Description

Saint Paul looms large over the rise of Christianity and the emergence of New Testament. Students in this course shall consider Paul's role as a missionary to the Gentiles, as a founder of Christian communities, as an interpreter of Israel's Scriptures and as a pastor whose counsel is arguably as relevant, and as controversial, today as ever.

Texts (top of page)

Required Texts
PIC	Banks, Robert. Paul's Idea of Community. Rev. ed.; Hendrickson, 1994.
LOP	Cousar, Charles B. The Letters of Paul. IBT; Abingdon, 1996.
PPM	Sanders, E. P. Paul: Past Masters. Oxford, 1991.
Reserve and Web Readings (optional in green)
Bultmann	Bultmann, R. "Paul's De-mythologizing and Ours" (1941) in W. A. Meeks, ed. The Writings of St. Paul (Norton, 1972) 409-422.
Dunn '90	Dunn, J. D. G. "The New Perspective on Paul" (1983) in Dunn, Jesus, Paul and the Law: Studies in Mark and Galatians (Westminster/JKP, 1990) 183-214. [presentation: Heidt]
Dunn '91	Dunn, J. D. G. The Partings of the Ways (Trinity, 1991) 18-36.
Green	"Paul's Theology of the Cross" in J. T. Carroll and J. B. Green, eds., The Death of Jesus in Early Christianity (Hendrickson, 1995) 113-132. [presentation: Akiyama]
Hays '89	Hays, Richard B. Echoes of Scripture in the Letters of Paul. Yale, 1989. [presentation: Wendel]
Hays '91	Hays, Richard B. "Crucified with Christ: A Synthesis of the Theology of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Philippians, and Galatians" in Bassler, Jouette M., ed. Pauline Theology Volume I: Thessalonians, Philippians, Galatians, Philemon (Fortress, 1991) 227-246.
Hooker	Hooker, Morna. "Interchange in Christ" JThStud n.s. 22 (1971) 349-361.
Kim	Kim, Seyoon. Paul and the New Perspective (Eerdmans, 2002) 259-290 (also available in G. Hawthorne, R. Martin, D. Reid, eds., "Jesus, Sayings of" in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (IVP, 1993). [presentation: Fawcett]
Malherbe	Malherbe, Abraham. "Paul's Self-sufficiency (Philippians 4:11)" in J. T. Fitzgerald, ed. Friendship, Flattery, and Frankness of Speech: Studies on Friendship in the New Testament World. (NovTSup; Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1996) 125-139.
Mattison	Mattison, Mark. A Summary of the New Perspective on Paul. [presentation: Martini]
Meeks	Meeks, Wayne, The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul. Yale, 1983.
Shaw	Shaw, George Bernard. "The Monstrous Imposition upon Jesus" (1913) in W. A. Meeks, The Writings of St. Paul (Norton, 1972) 296-302.
Stendahl	Stendahl, Krister, "The Apostle Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West" in W. A. Meeks, ed. The Writings of St. Paul (Norton, 1972) 422-434.[presentation: Fulford]
Thecla	The Acts of Paul and Thecla
Wright '92	Wright, N. T. The New Testament and the People of God (Fortress, 1992).[presentation Wendel]
Wright '00	Wright, N. T. "Paul's Gospel and Caesar's Empire" in R. A. Horsley, ed., Paul and Politics (Trinity, 2000) 160-183. [presentation: Ratterman]

Evaluation (top of page)

1. Class Preparation and Participation: 35%

• reading notes: 20%
  • keep up with the schedule (or work ahead), reading all required texts and at least three recommended readings (listed in green)
  • keep a reading log, including date, time spent, reading, number of pages
  • take notes on your readings in a separate notebook (coil notebook or binder, not notepad) or directly onto your computer (being careful to back up your files)
    • use complete clauses rather than brief phrases
    • trace logical flow and / or points of interest / contention / significance
    • use left margin to indicate page number
    • one or two pages per reading (chapter, article)
• attendance: 5%
• class participation: 10%
  • your grade will be based on contribution (e.g., raising questions from your reading, participating actively in discussion) and disposition (showing respect toward your peers, etc.)

2. Handout and Oral Presentation on Secondary Literature: 10%

• prepare a one-page (single-sided) handout on one of the numbered readings (either required or recommended) in the Schedule, summarizing its major thesis and supporting argument(s), offering your own brief assessment, and providing at least three discussion questions. Clear your choice with the professor to insure that presentations do not overlap. When readings have been chosen, the number will appear in red.
• prepare copies of your handout for each member of the class
• summarize the reading in 5 minutes (referring to, but not reading, your handout) on the day reading is due, and lead the class in a brief discussion by posing one or more of your questions.

3. Research Paper: 50%

• choose from the following list of topics, or propose an alternative, on which to write a 12-page paper
• spend the first third of the paper (approximately) summarizing the issues / the debate on the topic, and the remaining two thirds in at least two Pauline passages of relevance for the exploration of your topic
• make good use of the library and of the tools (data bases, online resources, inter-library loan) available. When uncertain, seek the help of reference staff.
• paper format (margins, style, notes, biblio, etc.) should conform to BBS standards or face up to 10% deduction
• include a minimum of six sources, not counting class texts and readings, related to your topic (e.g., articles, monographs, essays, encyclopedia / dictionary articles, commentaries)
• incorporate insights from these sources into your argument, but be sure to carry the argument in your own words
• proof read for form, style, clarity: papers marked by spelling errors, grammatical bloopers and cluttered diction will not rise above a B
• due date: negotiable (within reason and within limits prescribed by BBS)

Paper Topics

Paul as Historical Figure	Paul as Theologian
Paul as Pharisee	Paul on Judaism (Romans, Galatians)
Paul's conversion	Paul and the Law (Romans, Galatians)
Paul and the Jerusalem church	Paul on the parousia (Thessalonian epistles)
Paul's Gentile mission	Paul on human sinfulness (Romans, Ephesians)
Paul and his opponents	Paul on marriage and celibacy (1 Corinthians, Ephesians)
Paul and the collection	Paul on homosexuality (Romans)
Paul and the Pastorals	Paul on women and the household (Ephesians, Colossians)
Paul in early Christian tradition	Paul on slavery (Galatians, Ephesians, Philemon)
Quest for the historical Paul: Current trends	Paul's "in Christ" language

4. Reflection Paper: 5%

Offer a 2-3 page reflection paper on the place of Paul's thought in your own ecclesial tradition. Base your comments on course readings, class discussion and your own experience in a denominational context. Aim to identify points of resonance and points of dissonance between Paul's vision for the Christian community and the social reality of your tradition. This paper might focus on a specific issue or two (e.g., participation of women, spiritual gifts) or it can range more broadly. Think of it as a conversation between Paul and your congregation. Submit this piece on the last day of class.
Questions that might get you started include:

• How might Paul's vision presents obstacles, raise questions, provoke resistance, seem irrelevant, etc.?
• In what sense is your tradition "Pauline"? Is Paul ignored? Worshipped? Understood? Appreciated? Opposed?
• Are you more inclined to seek guidance in the teachings of Jesus?
• How do the letters of Paul function in your community? Are they distinguished from other corpora in the lay imagination?

Grading Scale (top of page)

A+	98-100	B+	87-89	C+	77-79	D+	67-69
A	93-97	B	83-86	C	73-76	D	63-66	F	0-59
A-	90-92	B-	80-82	C-	70-72	D-	60-62

Schedule (top of page)

Bibliography (top of page)

Paul and Pauline Theology

Beker, J. C. Paul the Apostle: The Triumph of God in Life and Thought. Fortress, 1980.
________. Paul's Apocalyptic Gospel: The Coming Triumph of God. Fortress, 1982.
Boyarin, Daniel. A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity. Univ. of California, 1994.
Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Eerdmans, 1977.
________. Paul and Jesus. Baker, 1974.
Dahl, N. A. The Crucified Messiah and Other Essays. Augsburg, 1974.
________. Studies in Paul: Theology for Early Christian Mission. Augsburg, 1977.
Davies, W. D. i4th ed. Fortress, 1980.
Donaldson, T. L. Paul and the Gentiles: Remapping the Apostle's Convictional World. Fortress, 1997.
Donfried, Karl P. ed. The Romans Debate. Rev. ed. Hendrickson, 1991.
Dunn, J. D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Eerdmans, 1998.
________. Jesus, Paul and the Law: Studies in Mark and Galatians. Westminster/John Knox, 1990.
________. "Once More, Pistis Christou," 1991 SBL Seminar Papers. Scholars, 1991. Pp. 730-744.
Ellis, E. E. Pauline Theology: Ministry and Society. Eerdmans, 1989.
Fee, Gordon. God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Hendrickson, 1994.
Fitzmeyer, J. A. Pauline Theology: A Brief Sketch. Prentice Hall, 1967.
Francis, F. O. & J. P. Sampley, Pauline Parallels. 2nd ed.; Fortress, 1984.
Gaston, L. Paul and the Torah. Univ. of British Columbia, 1987.
Gundry, Robert H. "Grace, Works, and Staying Saved in Paul: reply to E. P. Sanders' Paul and Palestinian Judaism; Paul, the Law and the Jewish People" Biblica 66 (1985): 1-38.Hagner, D. A. & M. J. Harris, Pauline Studies. Eerdmans, 1980.
Hawthorne, G. F., R. P. Martin, D. G. Reid. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. InterVarsity, 1993.
Hay, David. ed. Pauline Theology Volume II: 1 and 2 Corinthians. Fortress, 1993.
Hay, David and Elizabeth E. Johnson. Pauline Theology Volume III: Romans. Fortress, 1995.
Hays, R. B. "Pistis and Pauline Christology: What is at Stake?" 1991 SBL Seminar Papers. Scholars, 1991. Pp. 714-729.
Hengel, M. The Pre-Christian Paul. Trinity Press Int., 1991.
Hengel, M. and A. M. Schwemer, Paul Between Damascus and Antioch: The Unknown Years. Westminster/John Knox, 1997.
Hooker, Morna. Pauline Pieces. Epworth, 1979.
________. From Adam to Christ: Essays on Paul. Cambridge, 1990.
Horsley, R. Paul and Empire: Religion and Power in Imperial Roman Society. Trinity Press Int., 1997.
Jervis, L. A. and P. Richardson, ed. Gospel in Paul: Studies on Corinthians, Galatians and Romans for Richard N. Longenecker. JSNTSup 108; Sheffield, 1994.
Johnson, E. E. and D. M. Hay, Pauline Theology Volume IV: Looking Back, Pressing On. Scholars, 1997.
Käsemann, E. Perspectives on Paul. Fortress, 1971.
Keck, Leander. Paul and His Letters. 2nd ed. Fortress, 1988.
Kim, S. The Origin of Paul's Gospel. Eerdmans, 1982.
________. Paul and the New Perspective: Second Thoughts on the Origin of Paul's Gospel. Eerdmans, 2002.
Longenecker, R. Paul, Apostle of Liberty. Baker, 1964.
Maccoby, Hyam. The Mythmaker: Paul and the Invention of Christianity. Harper and Row, 1986.
________. Paul and Hellenism. Trinity Press Int., 1991.
Machen, J. G. The Origin of Paul's Religion. Eerdmans, 1925.
Martin, D. B. Slavery as Salvation: The Metaphor of Slavery in Pauline Christianity. Yale, 1990.P
Morris, L. The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross. Tyndale, 1955.
Murphy-O'Connor, J. Paul: A Critical Life. Oxford, 1996.
Piper, J. The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23. Baker, 1983.
Räisänen, H. Paul and the Law. Fortress, 1983.
Ridderbos, H. Paul: An Outline of His Theology. J. R. DeWitt, trans. Eerdmans, 1975.
Roetzel, C. J. The Letters of Paul: Conversations in Context. 3rd ed.; Westminster/John Knox, 1991.
Sanders, E. P. Paul and Palestinian Judaism. Fortress, 1977.
________. Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People. Fortress, 1983.
Schoeps, H. J. Paul: The Theology of the Apostle in the Light of Jewish Religious History. H. Knight, trans. Westminster, 1961.
Schreiner, Thomas R. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles. Baker, 1990.
Schweitzer, Albert. Paul and His Interpreters: A Critical History. MacMillan, 1951.
________. The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle. 1930; Seabury, 1968.
Segal, A. F. Paul the Convert: The Apostolate and Apostasy of Saul the Pharisee. Yale, 1990.
Silva, Moisés. "The Law and Christianity: Dunn's New Synthesis" WTJ 53 (1991): 339-353.
Stendahl, Krister. Paul Among Jews and Gentiles. Fortress, 1976.Theissen, G. Pscychological Aspects of Pauline Theology. Fortress, 1987.
Thielman, F. From Plight to Solution: A Jewish Framework for Understanding Paul's View of the Law in Galatians and Romans. NovTest Supp.; Brill, 1989.
Volf, J. Gundry, Paul and Perseverance: Staying in and Falling Away. J. C. B. Mohr, 1990.
Wedderburn, A. J. M. The Reasons for Romans. Fortress, 1991.
Wenham, David. Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity? Eerdmans, 1995.
Westerholm, Stephen. Israel's Law and the Church's Faith: Paul and His Recent Interpreters. Eerdmans, 1988.
________. Preface to the Study of Paul. Eerdmans, 1997.
Whiteley, D. E. H. The Theology of St. Paul. Fortress, 1964.
Wilson, A. N. Paul: The Mind of the Apostle. Norton, 1997.
Witherington, Ben, III. Paul's Narrative Thought World: The Tapestry of Tragedy and Triumph. Westminster/John Knox, 1994.
________. The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of Tarsus. IVP, 1998.
Wright, N. T. The Climax of the Covenant: Christ and the Law in Pauline Theology. Fortress, 1991.
________. What Saint Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the Real Founder of Christianity? Eerdmans, 1997.
________. The New Testament and the People of God. Fortress, 1992.Young, B. Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee Among Christians, Jews and Gentiles. Hendrickson, 1998.

New Testament Introduction, Theology and Interpretation

Bultmann, R. Theology of the New Testament. K. Grobel, trans. 2 vols. Scribner's, 1951-55.
Dunn, J. D. G. Christology in the Making: A New Testament Inquiry into the Origins of the Doctrine of the Incarnation. 2nd ed., SCM, 1989; Eerdmans, 1996.
________. The Partings of the Ways: Between Christianity and Judaism and their Significance for the Character of Christianity. Trinity Press International, 1991.Ehrman, B. D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Oxford, 1997.
Evans, Craig A. and Donald A. Hagner, Anti-Semitism and Early Christianity: Issues of Polemic and Faith. Fortress, 1993.
Green, J. B. ed. Hearing the New Testament: Strategies for Interpretation. Eerdmans, 1995.
Harris, Stephen L. The New Testament: A Student's Introduction. 3rd ed. Mayfield, 1999.
Hays, R. B. The Moral Vision of the New Testament: A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics. HarperCollins, 1996.
Johnson, Luke T. The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. Fortress, 1986.
Käsemann, E. New Testament Questions of Today. Fortress, 1969.
Longenecker, R. Biblical Exegesis in the Apostolic Period. Eerdmans, 1975.
Malherbe, A. J. & W. A. Meeks, The Future of Christology: Essays in Honor of L. E. Keck. Fortress, 1993.
Silva, M. Explorations in Exegetical Method: Galatians as a Test Case. Baker, 1996.
Spivey, R. A. and D. M. Smith, Anatomy of the New Testament. Fifth ed.; Prentice Hall, 1995.
Witherington, Ben, III. Jesus, Paul and the End of the World: A Comparitive Study in New Testament Eschatology. IVP, 1992.
Wright, N. T. and Stephen Neill, The Interpretation of the New Testament, 1861-1986. Oxford, 1988.

New Testament Backgrounds

Aune, D. The New Testament in Its Literary Environment. Westminster, 1987.
________. Prophecy in Early Christianity and the Ancient Mediterranean World. Eerdmans, 1983.
Daube, D. The New Testament and Rabbinic Judaism. Athlone, 1956.
Evans, C.A. Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation. Hendrickson, 1992.
Ferguson, E. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Eerdmans, 1987.
Hellholm, D., ed. Apocalypticism in the Mediterranean World and the Near East. J. C. B. Mohr, 1983.
Hengel, M. Jews, Greeks and Barbarians: aspects of the hellenization of Judaism in the pre-Christian period. trans., John Bowden. Fortress, 1980.
________. Judaism and Hellenism. 2 vols.; Fortress, 1974.
Kee, H.C. The Origins of Christianity: Sources and Documents. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: 1973.
Meeks, Wayne. The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul. Yale, 1983.
________. ed. The Writings of St. Paul. W. W. Norton, 1990.McKnight, S. A Light Among the Gentiles: Jewish Missionary Activity in the Second Temple Period. Fortress, 1990.
Moore, G.F. Judaism in the First Centuries of the Christian Era. 2 vols.; Harvard, 1927, 1930. Repr. Schocken Books, 1971.
Murphy-O'Connor, J. & J.H.Charlesworth, edd. Paul and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Christian Origins Library, 1990.
Neusner, J. Judaism in the Beginning of Christianity. Fortress, 1984.
________. The Rabbinic Traditions about the Pharisees before AD 70. 3 vols.; Brill, 1971.
Sanders, E. P. Judaism: Practice and Belief 63BCE-66 CE. Trinity, 1992.
Stowers, S. Letter Writing in Greco-Roman Antiquity. Westminster, 1986.
Theissen, G. The Social Setting of Pauline Christianity: Essays on Corinth. Fortress, 1982.