DESCRIPTION:

The primary purpose of this course will be to engage the letter to the Romans at the exegetical level. Several things must be kept in mind during this exegetical study: 1) determining and understanding Paul's purpose, meaning, and structure as the critical work is done; 2) linking Paul's meaning in the different thought units to the general sweep of the letter; 3) unfolding the meaning of the text with an eye toward the Christian life and application to the great issues facing the church today.

The letter to the Romans is a window to the entire Bible. Understanding it is essential for any church leader who will be addressing the people of God or the world outside of the church. Romans could inform life from any angle: 1) The Civic Life; 2) Aesthetics; 3) Ethics; 4) Faith; 5) Economics; 6) Race relations; 7) Ecumenics; 8) Justice, etc.

There will be weekly lectures, reading of the Greek text (UBS text), and discussion of salient exegetical issues relevant to the assigned reading. The class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions.

Aland, K.; M. Black; C. Martini; B. Metzger; and A. Wikgren, eds. The Greek New Testament. 4th ed. (revised). United Bible Societies, 1993.

Fitzmeyer, J. A. Romans. New York: Doubleday, 1993.

Wright, N. T. The Climax of the Covenant: Christ and the Law in Pauline Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.

Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Romans. (The preface to the 2nd edition.) London, New York: Oxford University Press, 1968.

Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Romans. Eerdmans, 1983.

Donfried, Karl. The Romans Debate. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1991.

1. Translation of either Romans 1-5, 6-11, or 12-16 (any of these three).

2. A 10-12 page term paper on any exegetical issue in Romans, due in the exam week.

3. A midterm covering exegetical ability and a more objective part dealing with questions of history and background up to Romans 5.

LG512; NS501; and NE502.

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

No.