Reading Romans (BN9500T)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit provides an in-depth study of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Attention will be given to the historical context, epistolary genre, and rhetorical style as a way to uncover the theological themes and issues emerging from the letter. We will consider how Paul’s theology has shaped and continues to shape the theology of the church.

Unit code: BN9500T

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

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Learning outcomes

1.

Analyse and situate the content of the letter within an understanding of Paul’s missionary career and pastoral aims at the time of its composition
2.

Formulate a convincing account of the likely situation of the community of believers at Rome that prompted Paul to write to them as he did
3.

Critically interpret passages and themes in the letter in the light of theological issues that have attached to its interpretation in Christian tradition
4.

Apply and integrate a variety of methodological approaches and exegetical skills to a passage from Romans
5.

Critically appropriate an interpretation of Romans for contemporary environments and issues

Unit sequence

48 points of New Testament study (including some study of Pauline texts)

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • NRSV Bible (recommended for purchase)
  • Byrne, B. Romans. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1996.
  • Dunn, J. D. G. Romans. 2 vols. Dallas: Word, 1988.
  • Dunn, J. D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. London: T & T Clark, 2003.
  • Fitzmyer, J. A. Romans. AB 33. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
  • Gaventa, B. R. When in Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel According to Paul. Baker Academic, 2016
  • Grieb, K. A. The Story of Romans: A Narrative Defense of God’s Righteousness. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002.
  • Käsemann, E. Commentary on Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.
  • Moo, D. J. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
  • Wedderburn, A. J. M. The Reasons for Romans. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1988.
  • Wright, N. T. ‘Romans’. In The New Interpreter’s Bible, edited by L. Keck, vol. X, 393-770. Nashville: Abingdon, 2001.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Essay

One choice from two assessment variants will be nominated at the time of scheduling by the lecturer/unit coordinator prior to the start of the unit, published in the unit outline. Students may have topical choices within a given assessment variant, but are not able to make choices outside that set of assessments

 3000 40.0
Exegesis 3000 40.0
Learning Resource 2000 20.0

Variant 2

Essay

1500 word short paper

One choice from two assessment variants will be nominated at the time of scheduling by the lecturer/unit coordinator prior to the start of the unit, published in the unit outline. Students may have topical choices within a given assessment variant, but are not able to make choices outside that set of assessments

 1500 20.0
Exegetical Essay

2500 word exegetical paper

2500 30.0
Essay

3500 word thematic essay

3500 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Maggie Kappelhoff on 12 Oct, 2020

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000