DESCRIPTION:

This is an exegesis course on 1 Thessalonians, with special attention to its historical context and literary structure, to Paul's missionary and pastoral practices, and to his theological development.

From the problems of the young church in Macedonia and the missionary and pastoral practices of Paul, many insights can be drawn for missionary and pastoral work today. An exercise in exegesis should help students in their expository preaching, and a reflection on the early stage of Paul's own theological development will provide them with suggestions for their own theologizing.

The course will meet once a week for three-and-a-half hours for translation, lecture, and discussion.

Kim, S. "The Jesus-Tradition in 1 Thess 4.13--5.11." NTS 48 (2002): 225-42

_______. "Paul's Entry (eisodos) and the Thessalonians' Faith."

_______. "The Structure and Function of 1 Thess 1--3."

Malherbe, A. J. The Letters to the Thessalonians. (AB 32B.) New York: Doubleday, 2000.

Wanamaker, C. A. Commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990 (pp. 1-209).

See the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program" available in the SOT Academic Advising office.

1. A one- or two-page exegetical preparation for each class.

2. An exegetical paper (ca. 10 pages).

LG512, NS501, and NE502.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Exegesis (NTE).

Yes (accounts for 50% of the final grade).