DESCRIPTION: This course is an exegetical study of the English text of the epistle to the Galatians. The course will address such introductory issues as audience, purpose, and the life circumstances of the author. Students will develop familiarity with the main themes of this epistle, particularly participation in Christ, ecclesiology, ethics, and salvation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course, through discussions and assignments, will enable students to (1) better know and understand Galatians and its social and cultural context; (2) understand more about Paul's biography and his circumstances at the time that this epistle was written; (3) develop a responsible and engaging method of interpreting Galatians both in its context and for the church today.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Satisfactory completion of this course should increase the student's understanding of Galatians and its main themes, give practice and skill in exegesis of the English text, and deepen understanding of salvation and the life in Christ.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet once weekly for three-hour sessions. Class time will be devoted to discussion of the epistle's key exegetical points, theology, and ethics.

REQUIRED READING:

The Epistle to the Galatians; Four English translations including the NRSV.

Barclay, John M. G. Obeying the Truth: A Study of Paul's Ethics in Galatians. T&T Clark, 1988.

In addition, students should select one of the following commentaries:

Longenecker, Richard. Galatians. WBC. Word Books, 1990.

Martyn, J. L. Galatians. Anchor Bible. Doubleday, 1997.

Coursepack including readings from the following books:

Braxton, B. No Longer Slaves: Galatians and African American Experience. Liturgical Press, 2002.

Boyarin, D. A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity. University of California Press, 1994.

Dunn, J. D. G. The Theology of Paul's Letter to the Galatians. New Testament Theology. Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press, 1993.

Betz, Hans Dieter. Galatians: A Commentary on Paul's Letter to the Churches in Galatia. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.

Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1982.

Hays, R. B. The Faith of Jesus Christ: An Investigation of the Narrative Substructure of Gal. 3:1-4:11. 2nd ed. Eerdmans, 2002.

1. Exegetical Working Papers: Students will choose three passages and prepare a three-page single-spaced summary of the interpretive and theological issues for each passage according to guidelines given in class. Students will lead the class discussion of the exegetical issues for those passages.

2. Exegetical Paper: Students will write a major paper interpreting one of the passages from item 1 above (10-15 pages).

3. Weekly Journal submissions: In preparation for class, students will develop interpretive and theological reflections on assigned texts per guidelines given in class.