Understanding Paul in Context (BN9126W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit provides an introduction to the life, letters, and theology of the apostle Paul. It identifies and explores the ancient contexts in which Paul lived, took up his apostolic work, wrote his letters, and articulated the theological convictions that came to shape the emergence of Christianity. Particular attention is paid to Paul’s Judaism, the wider environment of Hellenistic philosophy and ethics, as well as religion, politics, and lived experience in the Roman empire. The unit shows how understanding Paul in these ancient contexts equips us to consider the relevance, value, and challenges of Pauline theology in relation to contemporary contextual challenges, not least those evident in the colonial history and cultural diversity of Australia. The unit will focus on Paul’s letter to the Galatians, drawing on relevant texts from other letters as required.

Unit code: BN9126W

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: New Testament

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Articulate, with reference to primary texts and ideas, a developed understanding of aspects of the ancient Jewish, Greek, and Roman world as these relate to the life, letters and thought of the apostle Paul
2.

Assess and evaluate some of main theological convictions in the Pauline letters, with particular reference to Galatians
3.

Offer an in-depth critical appraisal of an important scholarly debate about the central ideas and overall coherence of Paul’s theology
4.

Provide an integrated account of the connections between Paul’s theology in its ancient context and questions or issues evident in the contemporary context of Australia and beyond

Unit sequence

Prerequisite: Foundational unit in New Testament

Pedagogy

Students will be guided through core methodologies, context, and interpretative frameworks through lectures.

Lectures will integrate in-depth engagement with a single primary text, and introduce students to significant issues in scholarly debate.

Classroom and/or online exercises will provide weekly opportunity to demonstrate engagement with primary texts.

Structured tutorial preparation and discussion will enable participatory consideration of selected primary texts.

Indicative Bibliography

  1. Barclay, John M. G. Paul and the Gift. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015.
  2. Campbell, Douglas A. Pauline Dogmatics: The Triumph of God’s Love. Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans, 2019.
  3. Engberg-Pedersen, Troels. Paul on Identity: Theology as Politics. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2021.
  4. Fredriksen, Paula. Paul the Pagans’ Apostle. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017.
  5. Gorman, Michael J. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and His Letters. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids / Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2016.
  6. Jervis, L. Ann. Paul and Time: Life in the Temporality of Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2023.
  7. Keener, Craig S. Galatians: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2019.
  8. Novensen, Matthew V., and R. Barry Matlock, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Pauline Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022.
  9. Stanley, Christopher D., ed. The Colonized Apostle: Paul through Postcolonial Eyes. Paul in Critical Contexts Minneapolis: Fortress, 2011.
  10. Wu, Siu Fung, ed. Suffering in Paul: Perspectives and Implications. Eugene OR: Pickwick, 2019.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegesis - Exegesis of a selected text from Galatians 2000 25.0
Summative Reflection - Documenting learning and integration gained by participation in unit, 2000 25.0
Essay - Thematic Essay on an Aspect of Paul’s Theology 4000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 8 Oct, 2024

Unit record last updated: 2024-10-08 13:39:56 +1100