DESCRIPTION: Detailed exegesis of portions of Romans, with special attention to the background of the letter and its theological teaching. Some attention will be given to the principles of sound exegesis and interpretation.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Romans is the clearest and most systematic exposition of the Pauline gospel, and its repeated impact through the whole of church history is well known. To understand this book is to understand the Christian faith at its heart, and this is obviously of crucial importance to one's own spiritual life and ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated

1. a basic understanding of the content and argument of the letter to the Romans;

2. acquaintance with the current discussions of Paul's theology;

3. awareness of the relation of Paul's theology to the OT, the law, and the teaching of Jesus;

4. skills in exegesis appropriate to master's level students.

Paul's letter to the Romans (NRSV, TNIV, or CEB Bible).

Hultgren, A. J. Paul's Letter to the Romans: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011. ISBN 978-0-8028-2609-1. Pub. price: $60 (assigned portions).

Longenecker, R. N. Introducing Romans: Critical Issues in Paul's Most Famous Letter. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011. ISBN 978-0-8028-6619-6. Pub. price: $40 (assigned portions).

Yinger, K. L. The New Perspective on Paul: An Introduction. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2011. ISBN 13:978-1-80899-463-2. Pub. price $16.

1. Classroom participation

2. A short paper, 5-7 pages, summarizing the argument of Romans 1-11 in your own words (10% of final grade)

3. One term paper, 10-12 pages (including notes), involving an exegesis of a passage (from a provided list) in Romans (50%)

4. Final exam (40%)