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:
Required reading (ca. 1,100 pages) [73 hours].
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].
A critical book review (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [8 hours].
Two theological reflection papers (ca. 1000-1500 words each) (30% total; 15% each) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [12 hours].
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.