B Rod Doyle cfc

Semester 1 Thursday evening 2007

Given the inseparability of biography and theology in the case of Paul, this unit will situate the letters in the story of Paul’s ministry. This will mean situating both him and his letters (especially 1 Thessalonians, Philippians and Galatians) in the unfolding drama of nascent Christianity, as the first communities struggled with the question of the Church’s identity - in particular the question of the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. The role of the Book of Acts will be considered, particularly in its relation to Paul. Questions of the Church’s identity and the possible shape of a new evangelisation are pressing in our own time; the unit will explore the Pauline witness as a resource for tackling such questions in a way which is both faithful to the past and open to the future.

Prerequisites:	second level	BS101 and BS102 or equivalent
	third level	two Biblical Studies units at second level
Requirements:	3 hours per week
Assessment:	second level	one 2,000 word essay	50%
		one 1,500 word workshop	30%
		one 1 hour written examination	20%
	third level	one 2,500 word essay	50%
		one 1,500 word workshop	30%
		one 1 hour written examination	20%

Bibliography

In addition to commentaries:

Ascough, R. S. What Are They Saying about the Formation of the Pauline Churches? New York: Paulist Press, 1998.

Beker, J. C. Paul the Apostle: The Triumph of God in Life and Thought. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1982.

Collins, R. F. The Birth of the New Testament: The Origin and Development of the First Christian Generation. New York: Crossroad, 1993.

Donfried, K. P., and I. H. Marshall. The Theology of the Shorter Pauline Letters. Cambridge: Cambridge Univesity Press, 1993.

Fitzmyer, J. A. According to Paul: Studies in the Theology of the Apostle. New York: Paulist Press, 1993.

Howell, D. An Introduction to the Study of Paul. London: Continuum, 2000.

Murphy-O’Connor, J. Paul: His Story. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Plevnik, J. What Are They Saying About Paul? New York: Paulist Press, 1986.

Soards, M. L. The Apostle Paul: An Introduction to His Writings and Teaching. New York: Paulist Press, 1987.

Taylor, M. J. Paul: His Letters, Messages and Heritage: A Reflective Commentary. New York: Alba House, 1997.