The Pauline Letters (SC-617)

Course Details:

In his New Testament letters, Paul describes himself as an apostle – passionately preaching Jesus Christ.  In this self-described calling as an apostle, he makes bold claims about who this Jesus was, and is; and the kind of relationship a believer can have with him.  Those truth claims are frequently made in the context of, and in response to, specific, local contexts.  It is likely that Paul himself would have been baffled at a modern tendency to interpret his writings as if they were the work of a systematic theologian.  In this course, we will seek beyond the broad characterizations that are so often made about a “theology of Paul” – to delve into his specific words, at specific times, on specific topics in the thirteen epistles that are normally ascribed to his pen.  Who is he? What texts has he written, and why? For whom?  Our goal will be to sharpen the focus on our picture of this remarkable, always controversial figure of faith history.

Course fulfills the following curricular requirements:
MAIRS - Interreligious Studies: Elective
MAIRS - Ministerial Studies: Scripture

Course Downloads:

• Syllabus - Fall 2022