NE534
Gundry-Volf
NE534: EPHESIANS. Judith Gundry-Volf.
DESCRIPTION:
- An English Bible study of Ephesians, the epistle that has been
called "the quintessence of Paulinism" for its development of key theological
themes in Paul and that is especially loved for its meditative quality and
thematization of the church as the body of Christ. Attention will be given to
this and other great theological themes in the letter as well as to its
character and style, possible conceptual backgrounds and literary dependence,
and the question of authorship.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- The study of Ephesians allows us to deal with some of the major
issues facing Christian ministry and the church today, such as enmity between
peoples and reconciliation, unity and diversity in the church, a Christian
manner of life in the "world," "spiritual warfare," and the relevance of
Christ's death and Lordship for such matters. This epistle thus offers a wealth
of material for preaching, teaching and spiritual reflection.
COURSE FORMAT:
- Class time will be devoted to lectures on the text of Ephesians and
discussion of the role of its theology in the life of the church. The class
will meet weekly on Mondays for a three-hour session.
REQUIRED READING:
- Bruce, F. F. The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to
the Ephesians. NICNT; Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1984.
- Furnish, Victor P. "Ephesians, Epistle to the," in The Anchor Bible
Dictionary Vol. 2. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
- Lincoln, Andrew T. and A. J. M. Wedderburn. The Theology of the Later
Pauline Letters. NTT; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians, Power and Magic: The Concept of
Power in Ephesians in Light of Its Historical Setting. Grand Rapids: Baker,
1992.
- Barth, Markus. Ephesians 1-3; Ephesians 4-6. A New Translation with
Introduction and Commentary. AB; Garden City: Doubleday, 1974.
- Best, Ernest. Ephesians. Sheffield: JSOT, 1993.
- Dahl, Nils. "Interpreting Ephesians Then and Now," TD 25 (1977)
305-15.
- Lincoln, Andrew T. Ephesians. WBC 42; Dallas: Word, 1990.
- Schnackenburg, Rudolf. Trans. Helen Heron. Ephesians. A Commentary.
Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1991.
- Stuhlmacher, Peter. "`He is our Peace' (Eph. 2:14). On the Exegesis and
Significance of Ephesians 2:14-18," in Reconciliation, Law &
Righteousness: Essays in Biblical Theology. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1986,
182-200.
- Stowers, Stanley. Letter Writing in Greco-Roman Antiquity. LEC 5.
Philadelphia: Westminster, 1986.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Reading the assigned commentary on Ephesians plus supplementary readings.
- Preparing written reflections on the practical use and implications of the
epistle (work in small groups is encouraged).
- A research paper on a text from Ephesians.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.