Spring 2011

FSW – Phoenix

NE567

Perry

NE567: Romans (English text) Peter S. Perry

DESCRIPTION: This course introduces Paul’s Letter to the Romans; its literary, rhetorical and social characteristics; and modern interpretations in order to equip students for preaching and teaching.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Paul’s Letter to the Romans continues to play a pivotal role in the theology and life of the Church. Paul helps us think theologically about conflict within the church, cross-cultural communication of the Gospel, interaction with society and government, concern for the creation, and more. Most importantly, Paul’s use of “justification” in Romans influences how we preach and teach Christ’s death and resurrection and how we practice evangelism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will have demonstrated the ability to (a) outline the structure and argument of Paul’s Letter to the Romans; (b) describe historical and social factors for understanding Romans; (c) describe the relevance of Old Testament and other Jewish literature to Romans; (d) describe the relevance of other Christian writings to early Christianity in Rome; (e) communicate three modern interpretations of Romans’ purpose (so-called “Lutheran,” “New,” and “Apocalyptic” Perspectives) and the evidence for and against each proposal; (f) elaborate the theological impact of each perspective; (g) create resources for preaching and teaching Romans.

COURSE FORMAT: Ten weekly meetings on Tuesdays, from 6:30-9:30pm for a total of 30 contact hours. Weekly writing, lecture, large group and small group discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Romans in a gender-inclusive translation (NRSV or TNIV)
Byrne, Brendan. Romans. Sacra Pagina. Collegevile, MN: Liturgical Press, 2007. [506 pages] ISBN: 978-0814659694, $25.51.
or Jewett, Robert. Romans: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2006. [1000 pages] ISBN: 978-0800660840, $60.75. (an option for those with Greek skills)
Wall , Robert W., Sampley, J. Paul and Wright, N. T. The New Interpreter's Bible : Acts - First Corinthians (Volume 10). Nashville: Abingdon, 2002. [1007 pages] ISBN: 978-0687278237, $46.62.
Selections from (will be available as e-reserves on Moodle):

Campbell, Douglas A. The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009. [1248 pages] ISBN: 978-0802831262, $37.80.

Donfried, Karl P. ed. The Romans Debate: Revised and Expanded Edition. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005. [372 pages] ISBN: 978-1565636712, $21.33

Holmes, Michael W. The Apostolic Fathers in English. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2006. [336 pages] ISBN: 978-0801031083, $21.84

Lampe, Peter. Christians at Rome in the First Two Centuries. Continuum, 2006. [528 pages] ISBN: 978-0826481023, $64.80.

Watson, Francis. Paul, Judaism, and the Gentiles: Beyond the New Perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2007. [400 pages] ISBN: 978-0802840202, $24.32.