Fall 2015/Pasadena

NS531

Downs

NS531: PAULINE THEOLOGY (4 Units: 160 Hours). David J. Downs.


DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the nature of Pauline theology and introduces students to selected theological issues in the Pauline epistles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated the ability (1) to work with the Pauline epistles in a synthetic way that takes seriously the particularity of these materials and the potential of their coordinated witness to the subject of Pauline theology; (2) to articulate the significance of selected theological issues in the Pauline epistles for the life and mission of the church; and (3) and to reflect critically on the contextual nature of Pauline theology.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: ca. 1,100 total number of pages required.

Course reader.

Bassler, Jouette M. Navigating Paul: An Introduction to Key Theological Concepts. Westminster John Knox, 2007. ISBN: 978-0664227418, Pub. Price $22.00 [96 pp.].

Given, Mark D., ed. Paul Unbound: Other Perspectives on the Apostle. Baker, 2010. ISBN: 978-0801046353, Pub. Price $25.00 [200 pp.].

Gorman, Michael J. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul & His Letters. Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN: 978-0802839343, Pub. Price $44.00 [145 pp assigned].

Wright, N. T. Paul: In Fresh Perspective. Fortress, 2005. ISBN: 978-0800663575, Pub. Price $29.00 [174 pp.].

One of the following three books:

Gorman, Michael J. Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, and Mission. Eerdmans, 2015. ISBN: 978-0802868848, Pub. Price $28.00 [305 pp.].

Moses, Robert Ewuise. Practices of Power: Revisiting the Principalities and Powers in the Pauline Letters. Fortress, 2014. ISBN: 978-1451476644, Pub. Price $59.00 [231 pp.].

White, Benjamin L. Remembering Paul: Ancient and Modern Contests over the Image of the Apostle. Oxford, 2014. ISBN: 978-0199370276, Pub. Price $74.00 [194 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: See the course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Required reading (ca. 1,100 pages) [73 hours].

  2. Participation in Moodle discussion groups: 250-word weekly forum posts and 75-word weekly forum responses) (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [10 hours of DLAs].

  3. A critical book review (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [8 hours].

  4. Two theological reflection papers (ca. 1000-1500 words each) (30% total; 15% each) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [12 hours].

  5. A research paper on an assigned topic (ca. 3000-4000 words) (45%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [27 hours].

PREREQUISITES: NS501 or NT500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

FINAL EXAM: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.