REL 321 Life and Letters of Paul

This course examines Paul's thought by asking various questions on a number of topics addressed in his letters.

Assignments

  1. Briefs & Quizzes
    Due January 11
    Weight: 78% (80 points)
    Briefs: 1 page assignments designed to make you read Scripture closely and write thoughtfully about Paul's writings in theological and practical terms. Typically, a brief will be due every Wednesday, unless unforeseen circumstances (like weather) disrupt this plan.
    1. Brief 1, January 20
      Brief 1: What is Paul's view on baptism? Are infants appropriate candidates for baptism? Explain/Substantiate. Readings: Acts 2.38-39; 11.13-14; 16.14, 30-34; Rom 6.3-6; 1 Cor 1.16; 7.14; 10.1-5; Gal 3.6-9; Col. 2.11-12; Dunn, pp. 442-459.
    2. Brief 2, January 27
      If Paul returned to earth in 2010, would he view tongues as a valid charisma (gift of the spirit) spoken in church, and/or in private? Explain/Substantiate. In other words, would he be more surprised that some individuals/groups/churches do not speak in tongues or that others do? Readings: Rom 8.26-27; 12.6-8; 1 Cor 1.4-8; 12.1, 6-10, 28-30; 13.8-13; 14.1-5, 14-18, 26-33, 39-40; 2 Cor 12.12; Eph 4.11-13; 6.18; 1 Thess 5.19-22; Acts 2.3; 14.3; see also 2.22; 4.30; 5.12; 7.36; 8.13; Heb 2.2-4; Rev 22.18-19; Dunn, pp. 533-564 (esp. pp. 548ff).
    3. Brief 3, February 3
      What (if any) limits should be placed on women in ministry? (Specifically: what functions can they (not) perform?) Substantiate. Be as specific as possible in delineating any limitations. Be sure to relate Gal 3.28 to 1 Tim 2.11-15. Readings: Gen 1.26-28; 2.15-17; 3.16-19; Lev 10.11; Lk 2.36-38; Acts 2.16-18; 21.8-9; Rom 5.12, 17-19; 16.1-12; 1 Cor 11.1-16; 12.4-31; 14.34-35; Gal 3.28; Eph 4.11; Phil 4.2-3; 1 Tim 2.11-15; 3.2-12; Dunn, pp. 580-594.
    4. Brief 4, February 10
      What is Paul teaching in Rom 7.14-25 regarding the war with the flesh? Specifically, is Paul describing the Christian life? Substantiate/Defend. You may, of course, refer to previous verses in Rom 7 or elsewhere in Paul, but the main text is vv.14-25.
    5. Brief 5, February 17
      Eternal Security: Some teach "once saved, always saved" and claim that Christians are eternally secure. Are there any circumstances by which someone can “lose” their salvation? Substantiate/Defend. Select Pauline Readings: Rom 8.14-17, 29-30, 33-38; 11.17-24, 29; 1 Cor 9.24-27; 2 Cor 11.2; Gal 5.4, 7; Eph 2.8-9; 4.30; 5.22-32; Phil 1.6; 2.16; Col. 1.22-23; 1 Thess 5.24; 2 Tim 2.12, 17-18; Other NT readings: Matt. 10.22; 24.13; Jn 1.12-13; 5.24; 3.36; 10.22-29; Acts 7.51; Heb 3.7-10; 4.7; 6.4-6; 10.14, 26-39; 12.17; Jude 1, 24; 1 Peter 1.4-5, 23; 2 Pet 2.1, 20-21; 3.17-18; 1 Jn 2.19, 22-28; 5.16; Rev 3.5; 19.7-9; 22.19; OT Readings: Gen 22.12; Ex. 32.32-33; Deut 8.2; 13.1-3; Judges 2.22; 3.4; 1 Sam 13.13; 15.11, 35; 2 Chron 32.31; Ps 69.28; 95.10-11; Isa. 63.10 (You'll want to delete this list of passages for your brief, to allow more space for your answer!!)
    6. Brief 6, February 24
      What are the limits to Christian freedom? For example: should Christians abstain from drinking alcohol because others find it offensive? Readings: Rom 14; 1 Cor 8; 10.14-33.
    7. Brief 7, March 3
      According to the Bible, can someone persist in homosexual behavior and be a Christian? Explain. Do you agree? Defend & Persuade. Gen 19.1-9; Lev 18.22; 20.13; Judges 19.22-25; Rom 1.26-27; 1 Cor 6.9; 1 Tim 1.10.
    8. Brief 8, March 10
      Read and compare: Rom 3.27-31; Gal 2.15-3.21; Eph 2.8-10; Matt 22.34-40, Matt 28.19-20 and James 2.14-26. Do they conflict or correspond? Explain fully how these texts relate. Be sure to explain how Abraham fits into this debate/discussion.
    9. Brief 9, March 31
      Since Paul never called for the abolition of all slavery, some interpreters (then and now) have used the NT and Paul specifically to support the cause of slavery. Are they right? Explain & Persuade. Readings: Philemon; 1 Cor 7.17-24; 12.13; Eph 6.5-9; Col. 3.11; 4.1; 1 Tim 6.1-3; Gal 3.28; Matt 10.24.
    10. Brief 10, April 7
      Consider the life and call of Paul. What is unique about his call and biography that influences and helps him in his teaching and preaching ministry? How do these prepare and inform what he teaches? Selected sources for Paul's bio: Acts 8.1; 9; 13-23; 1 Cor 1-4; 7; 2 Cor 11-13; Gal 1-2; Phil 3.4-11.
    11. Brief 11, April 14
      How does the sin of Adam relate to humanity (re: sin, condemnation, and death)? Explain the roles that Adam and Christ play in this discussion. Readings: Rom 5-8 (especially Rom 5.12-21; 7.7-13); 1 Cor 15.42-56 & Dunn, 90-101.
  2. Research Paper
    Due April 21
    Weight: 19% (19 points)
    A research paper due April 21st. Full details will be provided by Monday March 8th.
  3. Final Exam
    Due April 28
    Weight: 1% (1 points)
    Date: Please check the final exam schedule. The exam covers the course material. Failure to complete the final exam will result in a 10% penalty on your final course grade.
  4. Participation & Attendance
    Due May 26
    Weight: 2% (2 points)
    Perfect attendance is rewarded. Excessive absences are penalized.

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