Spring 2009/Pasadena
NE517
Sechrest
NE517: 2 CORINTHIANS (ENGLISH TEXT). Love Sechrest.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an exegetical study of major sections in the
Second Epistle to the Corinthians, which seeks to develop confidence in
interpreting the text as well as familiarity with historical, literary, and
theological themes in this document.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course, through discussions and assignments, will
enable students to (1) better know and understand 2 Corinthians and its
social, cultural, and literary context; (2) understand more about Paul's
theology of Christian ministry; and (3) develop a responsible and engaging
method of interpreting 2 Corinthians both in its context and for the church
today.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Second Corinthians is a crucial New Testament text for
reflection on the nature of Christian ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet weekly for a three-hour session. Class
time will be devoted to close readings of multiple English translations,
discussion of key exegetical points, and discussion of the theology of the
epistle.
REQUIRED READING:
- Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Access to at least three
modern translations: RSV, NRSV, TNIV, NJB, etc.
- Furnish, Victor. II Corinthians. Anchor Bible 32A. Doubleday,
1984.
- Murphy-O'Conner, Jerome. The Theology of the Second Letter to the
Corinthians. Cambridge University Press, 1991.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Martin, Ralph P. 2 Corinthians. Word Biblical Commentary 40.
Word Books, 1986.
- Wan, Sze-kar. Power in Weakness: Conflict and Rhetoric in Paul's Second
Letter to the Corinthians. Trinity Press International, 2000.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Exegetical Working Papers: Students will choose a passage and
prepare a three-page single-spaced summary of the exegetical and theological
issues in that passage according to guidelines given in class, and will lead
the class discussion of these issues (30%).
- Formal Exegetical Paper: Beginning with the working paper above,
students will prepare a 10-15 page exegetical paper on the same passage (45%).
- Journals: Using guidelines given in class, students will submit
their questions about and reflections on selected passages in 2 Corinthians
(25%).
PREREQUISITES: NS501.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MA program requirements for New
Testament book study (NTBK).
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/09)