Tentative Course Schedule

Quick links:

Exam One Exam Two Final Exam Book Review Topic Review Copies Pistis Paper Final Book Review

Use the menu to the left to find the dates for exams and major written assignments.

Date

Class Discussion Topic

Web pages listed in yellow boxes in this column are supplementary resources. They are not required reading, but may help you understand the topic scheduled for class discussion.

Items in red boxes are required. Pay special attention to these.

Assigned Reading
to be completed before class.

Items in boxes the color of this one are supplementaryreadings. These may or may not be discussed in class on the day with which they are listed. On the exams, however, you will be expected to have a rudementary understanding of the main issues raised in these readings.

Wed. 1/12/05

Introduction to the Course

Who was Paul?

See the readings for 1/13/04 and get started on those now.

Mon. 1/17

Martin Luther King Day
(No Class)

Overview of the Undisputed Letters

Wed. 1/19

Introduction to Paul and His Letters

Roetzel, 1-5 (Get a set of study questions for this reading. Only section I of these questions applies to today's assignment.)
Palmer, " Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles"

Mon. 1/24

The Letters to Thessalonica: Pauline and Deuteropauline Eschatology

Beginning today you will need to bring your copy of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV ) of the Bible with you to class each day. If you have a wireless internet connection, you can use the online version. If you are called on to read and do not have a copy of the NRSV, you will be considered unprepared for class.

Map showing the location of Thessalonica

NRSV First and Second Thessalonians
As you review these books, look closely at First Thessalonians 1:3, 8; 3:2, 5-7, 10; 5:8 and Second Thessalonians 1:3-4, 11; 2:13; and 3:2. The Greek word pistis is used in each of these verses. What English word do you think is used to translate pistis in each verse? What does the context suggest about the meaning of pistis?
Furnish, 11-23 (The first few sections of chapter one: "The Sacred Cow and the White Elephant") Click here to get a set of study questions on this reading assignment. Notice that the study questions cover all of chapter one. For today you only have to read pages 11- 23.

The book by Roetzel has a short discussion of First Thessalonians on pages 80-83. Feel free to consult that discussion as you read First Thessalonians. We will read Roetzel's treatment of both of the letters to Thessalonica later.
Palmer, " The Thessalonian Correspondence" covers both First and Second Thessalonians. Feel free to compare the section on First Thessalonains to Roetzel's treatment of the subject. This is a PDF file. If you click on the link, the file will download to your hard drive and open in Acrobat Reader or Preview.

Wed. 1/26

The Corinthian Congregation and the Problem of Hellenistic Paganism

2 Timothy 3:16-17
Reading Paul's Letters as "Scripture"

Web page: The Ancient City of Corinth
Web page: Corinth! A Virtual Tour of the City of Paul's Day

NRSV First Corinthians 1:1-6:11
As you read First Corinthians, notice 2:5. The Greek word pistis is used in this verse. What English word do you think is used to translate it here ? What does the context suggest about the meaning of pistis in this verse? (Feel free to compare other translations in addition to the NRSV.)
Furnish, 23-28 (The remainer of chapter one) Click here to get a set of study questions for this reading assignment.

Roetzel's book includes a discussion of the letters to Corinth on pages 83-96. Feel free to consult that discussion as you read these letters. We will read Roetzel's discussion of these letters later.

Mon. 1/31

Sex, Marriage, and Divorce at Corinth

Web page: Paul's Congregations
A Frontline conversation with L. Michael White and Wayne A Meeks

Web page: Corinthian House Church Communities

NRSV, 1 Corinthians 6:12-7:40
Furnish, 29-51 (Chapter two: "Sex: Marriage and Divorce") Click here to get study questions for this assignment.

Richard B. Hays has written an article on Paul's ethics in First Corinthians that you may find helpful as you reflect on the significance of this letter.

Wed. 2/2

First Corinthians 8-16, meat offered to idols and appropirate conduct at church gatherings

Today you need to tell Dr. Palmer which book you intend to review. See instructions here .

Watch the video, "Conflict and Community in the Corinthian Church"

The broader issue of Paul's views regarding women's participation in worship will be discussed in more detail later, but be prepared to discuss it in a general way here. Why is Paul concerned about the way women and men dress or wear their hair?

Web page: Corinth at the time of Paul's arrival

NRSV, First Corinthians 8:1-13:13
Pay special attention to First Corinthians 12:9; 13:2, and 13. The Greek word pistis is used in each of these verses. What English word do you think is used to translate it? What does the context of each verse suggest about the meaning of pistis?
Nancy A. Carter, "Paul and Corinthian Women's Head Coverings"
Nancy A. Carter, "Paul and Corinthian Women's Hair Styles"

Pages 52-67 of Stendahl's book also relate very closely to the discussion of meat offered to idols and other elements of this section of 1 Corinthians, but we will read those pages later. Chapter four of Furnish's book (especially pages 94-101) also deals with this part of 1 Corinthians, but we will read that chapter later.

Mon. 2/7

Paul's Practical Approach to "Spiritual Gifts"

Is Paul self-contradictory in this part of his letter? If not, how can he allow women to prophesy at church in chapter 11 but tell them to be silent at church in chapter 14?

NRSV, First Corintians 14:1-16:24
Pay special attention to First Corinthians 15:14, 17; and 16:13. The Greek word pistis is used in each of these verses. What English word is used to translate it? What does the context indicate about its meaning?
Stendahl, 109-124 ("Glossolalia--The New Testament Evidence") Click here to get study questions for this assignment.

Wed. 2/9

Second Corinthians 10-13: An Angry Letter

Second Corinthians 1-9: A Letter of Reconciliation to Heal a Broken Relationship

NRSV 2 Corinthians 1-9
Notice Second Corinthians 1:24; 4:13; 5:7; and 8:7. The Greek word pistis is used in each verse.

NRSV 2 Corinthians 10-13
Notice 10:15 and 13:5. The Greek word pistis is used in both of these verses.

Mon. 2/14

The Letter to the Churches in "Galatia"
(A fierce defense of Paul's gospel)

Where was Galatia, and who were the Galatians?
See the Wikipedia article, "Galatia" or A Brockway's article.
See a map of the ethnic Kingdom of Galatia. See a map of the Roman Province of Galatia at Paul's time.

NRSV Galatians
The Greek word pistis is used 22 times in this letter. Can you find them all? See 1:23; 2:16, 20; 3:2, 5, 7-9, 11-12, 14, 22-26; 5:5-6, 22; and 6:10.
Roetzel's book includes a discussion of Galatians on pages 96-103. Feel free to consult that discussion as you read the letter to the Galatians.

Wed. 2/16

Philippians and Philemon

NRSV Philippians and Philemon
Look carefully at Philippians 1:25, 27; 2:17; 3:9 and Philemon 1:5-6. The Greek word pistis is used in each of these verses.
Roetzel, 79-118
This reading from Roetzel covers all of the letters you have read so far plus Romans and raises many issues about them that we have not yet discussed in class. Read carefully.

David Daube, "Onesimos." This brief note on the letter to Philemon presents an alternative to Roetzel's way of understanding the point of the letter.

Mon. 2/21

Exam One

Wed. 2/23

Romans 1-5

NRSV Romans 1:1-5:21
The Greek word pistis appers 40 times in Romans, more than in any of the other letters of Paul. Can you find the English word that translates it in Romans 1:5, 8, 12, 17; 3:3, 22, 25-28, 30-31; 4:5, 9, 11-14, 16, 19-20; and 5:1-2? Be prepared to comment especially on 3:3.
Stendahl, 23-40 (Section 3: "Justification Rather than Forgiveness")
While this reading from Stendahl starts in the middle of a larger article, it is understandable on its own. We will read the rest of the article later this semester. Click here to download a set of study questions for this reading.

Mon. 2/28

Romans 6-8

NRSV, Romans 6-8
Pistis is not used in this section of Romans.
Stendahl, 78-96 ("The Apostle Paul and the Introspective Conscience of the West") as well as pages 129-133 (Stendahl's response to Ernst Käsemann's criticism of his article)
Get an early start on the readings for today! Don't panic if you find the article by Stendahl to be difficult reading. We will discuss it in class many times throughout the semester, and it will be come clearer. Just make sure you read it all for today. Click here to download a set of study questions for this reading.

Wed. 3/2

Romans 9-11

The issue of Paul's view of his Jewish faith will come up in several of the readings later this semester. For now, be ready to give a general discussion of how the relationship between Jews and Christians is viewed in these chapters of the letter to the Romans. (Notice that "Judaism" and "Christianity" are not mentioned.)

Today you must turn in photocopies of at least three published reviews of the book you are reviewing. See the instroctions posted online.

NRSV Romans 9-11
See 9:30, 32; 10:6, 8, 17; 11:20. The Greek word pistis appears in each of these verses.
Stendahl, 40-67 (Section 4: "Weakness Rather than Sin" and Section 5: "Love Rather than Integrity")
While this reading from Stendahl starts in the middle of a larger article, it is understandable on its own. We will read the rest of the article later this semester. Click here to download a set of study questions for section 4. Click here to download questions on section 5.

Mon. 3/7 and Wed. 3/9

Spring Break

Mon. 3/14

Romans 12-16

Class discussion will focus on three issues today: the function of Romans 12:1-2 in the larger argument of the letter; the issue of the Christian's relationship to the governing authorities; and Paul's female ministry associates. Be ready to discuss the comments on Phoebe and Junia in Romans 16.

NRSV Romans 12-16
See 12:3, 6; 14:1, 22-23; 16:26. The Greek word pistis appears in each of these verses.
Furnish, 115-139 ("Christians and the Governing Authorities") Click here to download study questions for this reading asignment.

J.C. Beker, "The Faithfulness of God and the Priority of Israel in Paul's Letter to the Romans." This article may help you understand both Paul's struggle for a solution to the Jew/Gentile problem in the early churches and the importance of the notion of pistis for that issue. This article is on reserve in the library.

Paul's Socio-Historical Context

Wed. 3/16

Hellenism and Paul's Use of Language

Hellenistic Religion and Philosophy

The due date for the essay on pistis has been moved. Please turn in a printed copy by next Wednesday (March 23).

Roetzel 6-36 (Chapter One: Paul and His World, introduction and section one, "Paul's Hellenistic Habitat") Click here to get a set of study questions on this chapter.

Mon. 3/21

Paul's Jewish Environment

Audio: The First Christians
What do the archaeological remains of Corinth reveal about the makeup of the earliest Christian community there?
Text: The First Christians

Roetzel 36-50 (Chapter One: Paul and His World, section two, "Paul's Jewish Environment")
Stendahl, 1-23
Read only sections 1 ("Paul Among Jews and Gentiles") and 2 ("Call Rather than Conversion.") of this article by Stendahl. The rest of the article will be read later. [Study Questions 1; Study Questions 2]

For a recent reaction to Stendahl, you can consult J.M. Everts, "Conversion and Call of Paul" in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, pp. 156-163. If you choose to read Everts' article, though, be aware that W.R. Stegner's article on "Paul the Jew" ("Jew, Paul the") in that same dictionary disagrees with Everts' conclusions about Paul's status as a Jew after his encounter with the risen Christ. Stegner's article (pp. 503-511) is assigned for Thursday. See below.

Wed. 3/23

Paul's Jewish and Gentile Context

Your essay on pistis is due today. Please turn in a printed copy by 3:00pm. The assignment may not be submitted by email. (I will leave for Chapel Hill at 3:00, so if the paper is late, I will not get it till Friday.)

Paul's Mission and Letters
A Frontline (PBS) interview with Wayne Meeks and L. Michael White

WR Stegner, "Jew, Paul the" in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, pp. 503-511. [This item is at the reserve desk in the library. Ask for the reserve readings folder for REL266.]
[Study Questions]

Mon. 3/28

Easter Break

Wed. 3/30

"Myth", "Cult", and Paul's view of the world

Roetzel, 119-132 (Chapter 5: "Paul and His Myths")
[Study Questions]

Mon. 4/4

Exam Two
This exam will include your essay on Paul's Experience of the Risen Jesus.

Luke's Story of Paul: The "Acts of the Apostles"

Wed. 4/6

The Acts of the Apostles
Part 1: Pre-pauline Christianity

NRSV, Acts 1-12
Stendahl, 67-77 (Section 5: "Unique Rather than Universal")

Mon. 4/11

The Acts of the Apostles
Part 2: The Mission to the Gentiles

NRSV, Acts 13:1-19:20 and 19:21-28:23

The Deutero-pauline and Pastoral Letters

Wed. 4/13

A Quick Overview of the Deuteropauline Letters

The Letter to the Colossians

The due date for the critical book review has been moved to next Monday (April 16).

Roetzel, 133-141
NRSV, Colossians

Mon. 4/18

The Letter to the Ephesians

Second Thessalonians

Your critical book review is due today.

Roetzel, 141-148
NRSV, Ephesians

Nils Alstrup Dahl, "Gentiles, Christians, and Israelites in the Epistile to the Ephesians." This article probes the question of the purpose of the letter to the Ephesians as a document written by one of Paul's disciples.

Roetzel, 148-152
NRSV, Second Thessalonians

Palmer, "The Thessalonian Correspondence" (PDF) covers both First and Second Thessalonians. Feel free to compare the section on Second Thessalonains to Roetzel's treatment of the subject.

Wed. 4/20

The Pastoral Epistles

Roetzel, 153-160
NRSV, First Timothy, Titus
NRSV, Second Timothy

For a conservative attempt to defend the Pauline authorship of the Pastoral Epistles, you can consult E.E. Ellis, "Pastoral Letters," in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, pages 658-666. You should be aware, though, that most New Testament scholars question some of the evidence that Ellis presents.

Controversial Issues in the Interpretation of Paul

Mon. 4/25

Conflict in Paul's Life and Legacy

A Reconsideration of Paul's Relationship to Jesus and Judaism

Roetzel, 161-170

Roetzel, 171-181

Wed. 4/27

Roetzel's Approach to Paul's View of Women

Web page: Frontline discussion on the roles of women in early Christianity

Pauline Pronouncements on Women in the Church

Roetzel, 182-190
Furnish, 83-101
NRSV, Read all of the passages mentioned in Furnish's discussion.

Mon. 5/2

Women in Paul's Ministry

Deutero-pauline views of women in the home

A Jewish-Feminist Reading of Paul

Furnish, 101-114
NRSV, Read the passages mentioned in Furnish's discussion.
Pamela Eisenbaum, "Is Paul the Father of Misogyny and Antisemitism?"

Bernadette J. Brooten, "Jewish Women's History in the Roman Period: A Task for Christian Theology." This article examines very honestly the subordination of women in early Christianity and the motives of contemporary scholars who try to deny that subordination.

Paul's Views on Homosexuality

Furnish, 52-82
In 1994 Victor Paul Furnish spoke at Meredith on the issue of a Christian response to homosexuality. A video of Dr. Furnish' comments is on reserve in the library. You should view that video before the Final Exam.

Deirdre Good has written an article that is available online entitled "What the New Testament Says About Homosexuality" that you may also find helpful.

Fri. 5/13 1:00- 4:00pm

Final Exam (1:00 —4:00 pm )
Download the Entire Spring Exam Schedule
Go to the Review Guide for the Final Exam.

Go to the main page for Paul and the Pauline Literature.