This unit introduces students to the New Testament letters as key texts for understanding the life, theology, and practice of early Christian communities. Students will explore the historical and cultural contexts of these letters, their literary forms and rhetorical strategies, and their theological and ethical themes. Attention will be given to the way in which these letters reflect the development of Christian identity in the first century and their continuing influence on contemporary faith and practice. Through critical reading and interpretation, students will develop skills in analysing biblical texts and applying their insights to modern contexts.
Unit code: BN3002Z
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3
Unit discipline: New Testament
Proposing College: St Francis College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Assess the historical and cultural contexts of the New Testament letters. |
| 2. | Analyse the literary forms and theological themes of the New Testament letters. |
| 3. | Apply insights from the New Testament letters to contemporary Christian thought and practice. |
Perquisites for this unit are 2 first year and one second year Biblical Studies units.
Synchronous and asynchronous lectures and text-based tutorials
Gorman, Michael J. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A theological introduction to Paul and his letters. Eerdmans, 2004.
Novenson, Mattthew, V. Paul and Judaism at the end of History. Cambridge University Press, 2024.
Sanders, E. P. Paul: The Apostle's Life, Letters, and Thought. Fortress Press, 2015.
Smith, David A. The epistles for all Christians: epistolary literature, circulation, and the gospels for all Christians. Brill, 2020.
Brodie, Thomas L., Dennis R. MacDonald, and Stanley E. Porter. The intertextuality of the Epistles: explorations of theory and practice. Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2006.
Beavis, Mary Ann. The First Christian Slave: Onesimus in Context. Cascade Books, 2021.
Gooder, Paula. Phoebe: A Story; Pauline Christianity in Narrative Form. Hodder and Stoughton, 2018.
Dornish, Loretta. Paul and Third World Women Theologians. The Liturgical Press, 1999.
Levine, Amy-Jill with Blickenstaff, Marianne. A Feminist Companion to Paul. T and T Clark, 2004.
Bolt, Peter G. and Harrison, James R. (Eds). Romans and the Legacy of St Paul: Historical, Theological. and Social Perspectives. SCD Press, 2019.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1500 | 35.0 | |
| Document Study | 1000 | 20.0 | |
| Exegesis | 2000 | 45.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 27 Oct, 2025
Unit record last updated: 2025-10-27 10:04:44 +1100