The Letter to the Romans (BN3210C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit explores the context, structure, theology, and goals of the Letter to the Romans. Attention is given to the articulation of Paul’s argument across Romans, with a strong focus on his Christology and ecclesiology and on the themes of justification, law and Jewish-Gentile relations. The unit also engages with the role of this letter in Christian history and current theological debate.

Unit code: BN3210C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: New Testament

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate close familiarity with the text, structure, and major theological ideas of the Letter to the Romans.
2.

Discuss the social, historical, and religious context in which the Letter to the Romans was written.
3.

Deploy appropriate exegetical skills to interpret the Letter to the Romans.
4.

Compare recent scholarly analyses of topics in the Letter to the Romans.
5.

Reflect theologically on key themes of the Letter to the Romans, elucidating their insights for society and the church today.

Unit sequence

Two units in Biblical Studies, including some New Testament study, at second level (or equivalent).

Pedagogy

Each 3-hour class comprises 2 hours of interactive lecture and discussion and 1 hour of structured group discussion and interpretation focused on biblical passages and/or secondary readings (in each case, presented in modes appropriate for face-to-face or online learning contexts).

Indicative Bibliography

  • Byrne, Brendan. Romans. Sacra Pagina 6. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1996. (EBook available.)
  • Elliott, Neil. The Arrogance of Nations: Reading Romans in the Shadow of Empire. Paul in Critical Contexts. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008. (EBook available.)
  • Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Romans: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor [Yale] Bible 33. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
  • Gaventa, Beverly R. When in Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel According to Paul. Theological Explorations for the Church Catholic. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2016. (EBook available.)
  • Grieb, A. Katherine. The Story of Romans: A Narrative Defense of God’s Righteousness. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002. (EBook available.)
  • Jewett, Robert. Romans: A Short Commentary. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2013.
  • Johnson, Luke Timothy. Reading Romans: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Reading the New Testament. New York: Crossroad, 1997 (or Macon: Smyth & Helwys, 2001). (EBook available.)
  • Matera, Frank J. Romans. Paideia. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010. (EBook available.)
  • Moo, Douglas J. The Epistle to the Romans. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996 (or 2nd ed., 2018). (EBook available.)
  • Wright, N. T. “The Letter to the Romans.” In The New Interpreter’s Bible, edited by Leander E. Keck et al., 10, 395–770. Nashville: Abingdon, 2002.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Report 1000 20.0
Report

essay proposal

 500 10.0
Essay 2500 50.0
Written Examination

1-hour written examination

 1000 20.0

Variant 2

Report 1000 20.0
Report

essay proposal

 500 10.0
Essay 2500 50.0
Oral Examination

15-minute oral examination

 1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 13 Jun, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-06-13 16:17:22 +1000