RLE 617:
St. Paul's Letters and Later Interpreters
La Salle University - Summer
1999
Instructor: Andrew T. Dolan, Ph.D. Cand.
M-F 1:30-5PM; Olney Hall 111
e-mail: dolan@lasalle.edu
Course Description
This examination of Pauline theology and literature focuses on the undisputed letters: Romans, Galatians, 1-2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon, and Philippians. In an attempt to keep the scope manageable and valuable, we shall target the following areas of Pauline thought: Christocentric soteriology (what did Jesus accomplish through his death and resurrection); Jews, Judaism and "the law"; Pauline ethics of sex and gender; and modern Christian appropriation and applications. Our key question is "What difference does Jesus make, according to Paul?"
In addition, we shall consider some of Paul's later interpreters, e.g., Augustine and Luther, who have immeasurably added to the Apostle's importance for modern Christianity and Western secular thought.
Course Components
Attendance and diligent reading of the assigned texts are paramount. The grade is based on two assignments. First, a five- to seven-page exposition of Paul's Christocentric soteriology supported thoroughly by textual references. (Due a week after the course. Fuller description given in class and below.) No secondary sources are needed for this paper. Second, in seminar fashion each student will be responsible for making an in-class presentation on one of the assigned secondary-source readings. The presenter will include at least a page for the future use of other members of the class.
The essays are to be word processed, double spaced, spell checked, and proofread. Use standard margins of 1" to 1.25" and a modest, legible, 12-point font. These essays are to be submitted either by email or on a 3½" disk. I prefer your using Microsoft Word so that I may embed my comments in your document, but any standard word processing program is acceptable.
Required Texts
English Bible: New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha or New American Bible
Meeks, Wayne A. The Writings of St. Paul. Norton, 1972.
Inasmuch as the class for Monday, July 5 has been cancelled because of the University holiday, the assignment for that class is a quick reading of Acts of the Apostles 7-26 and a more careful reading Galatians and 1 Thessalonians. In anticipation of the paper and in-class discussion, note any Pauline descriptions of what Jesus has accomplished through his death/resurrection. That is, for Paul, what difference has Jesus made and for whom?
Assigned Readings in Paul’s Letters
Monday, July 5: PreparationGaston, Lloyd. Paul and the Torah. Vancouver: University of British Columbia, 1987.
Keck, Leander E. "Spirit and Body." Chap. in Paul and His Letters. Proclamation Commentaries, ed. G. Krodel. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1979.
McLean, Bradley Halstead. "The Absence of an Atoning Sacrifice in Paul’s Soteriology." New Testament Studies 38.4 (1992): 531-53.
Meeks, Wayne A., ed. The Writings of St. Paul. New York: Norton, 1972.
Stowers, Stanley K. A Rereading of Romans. Justice, Jews, & Gentiles. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994.
Dolan's Hyperlinks Pages
New Testament studies: http://www.lasalle.edu/~dolan/nt.html
Early Judaism and Early Christianity: http://www.lasalle.edu/~dolan/early.html
General biblical studies and Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): http://www.lasalle.edu/~dolan/biblical.htm
Online biblical studies journals: http://www.lasalle.edu/~dolan/journals.htm
Updated Monday, June 28, 1999 11:33PM