LIFE OF PAUL –RELG 2302

(Revised 1/2009)

Instructor: Frank Bellizzi

Class Meets: Monday and Wednesday 10:30-11:45 a.m. at Amarillo Bible Chair

Office: Amarillo Bible Chair, 2501 S. Jackson

Phone: 372-5747

E-mail: biblechair@amaonline.com

Website: www.amarillobiblechair.homestead.com

Office Hours: By Appointment

_______________________________________________________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE:

“The life of the apostle Paul drawn from his epistles and the Book of Acts along with an exposition of his teachings as related to contemporary living” (AC Catalog).

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular and prompt attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. It is the responsibility of the student to attend class, on time. Absences totaling more than four class sessions will result in the loss of points toward the final grade. Arriving late or leaving early twice will count as one absence.

REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:

There will be three (3) exams throughout the course of the semester. The student is expected to take exams on the date scheduled in the course outline. The third and final exam will be comprehensive.

PURPOSE & GOALS OF COURSE:

By the completion of this course, the student will demonstrate his/her knowledge and understanding of the subject matter by obtaining a minimum of 70% competency level of the stated performance/learning objectives.

The class will describe the historical and literary background for the life, ministry, and writings of Saul of Tarsus, also known as the Apostle Paul. The successful student will organize and analyze these historical and literary materials in a usable form. The class will also encourage the student to examine the complexities, theology, and relative importance in the modern era, of Paul’s thought.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

1. A Bible. A modern, standard translation—such as the New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, or New King James Version--is preferred. The King James Version (KJV), first published in 1611, was for its time an excellent translation. It remains one of the great literary achievements of all time. But the English language has significantly changed over the last 400 years, making the KJV hard for most modern students to read and understand. Do not read from the KJV in class.

2. Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000.

ISBN 0802847781

PERFORMANCE/LEARNING OBJECTIVES: (Minimum competencies)

After studying the material in this course, the student will be able to:

1. List in canonical sequence the letters of Paul without the aid of supporting material.

2. Identify specific geographic sites as they apply to the life of Paul.

3. Explain and critique specific views concerning the authorship of the letters attributed to Paul.

4. Outline and describe the background of the letters of Paul.

5. Summarize the content of the thirteen letters of Paul.

6. Summarize the major teachings of Paul and his impact on the Christian movement.

7. Demonstrate the ability to use research tools and draw reasonable conclusions on the basis of careful study.

DISABILITY STATEMENT:

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Accessibility Services (L101, Phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Regular Attendance

a. Your instructor will keep attendance rolls.

b. Four absences will be allowed before your grade is directly affected by your attendance.

2. A Reading of the Letters of Paul

3. Three Examinations (including the comprehensive final examination)

a. The first two tests will only cover material that you have not been previously tested over.

b. The final examination will be comprehensive.

c. Test questions may include listing, fill-in-the-blank, matching, multiple choice, identify and/or define, and essay.

d. If you miss the scheduled time for the exam, then it is your responsibility to reschedule a time with your teacher. It must be made up within one week.

e. Final Test Date – Monday, May 11, 10:30 a.m.

4. Several Quizzes

Because the Bruce textbook is fairly-demanding reading, and because students are expected to read most of it by the end of the semester, there will be occasional quizzes over an assigned chapter(s) of the book.

5. Research Paper

a. One paper on a significant theological word/question from Paul’s letters.

b. The paper must be 4-6 pages long.

c. The paper must be typed or computer generated (double-spaced, using 12 point font), with evidence of careful proofreading.

d. Good and consistent documentation form must be used.

e. The paper must have a minimum of four documented sources, in addition to the Bible. Only one Internet source will count toward meeting the minimum standard. All sources must be approved by the instructor.

f. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

love redemption judgment

righteousness faith atonement

law reconciliation joy

grace worship salvation

baptism ransom holy

resurrection heaven temptation

repentance hell gospel

works world ministry

Or, you may write about a relevant question. Some examples:

1) Some aspect of the chronology of Paul’s life (the Gallio inscription, questions associated with Galatians 1-2)

2) Paul’s teaching about the role(s) of women (an interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, and 1 Timothy 2:9-15).

3) Do Romans 16:1-2 and 1 Timothy 3:11 speak of female deacons?

4) Handing people over to Satan: What were the reasons and purposes for “handing one over to Satan” in 1 Corinthians 5 and 1 Timothy 1:18-20.

5) Who are Paul’s opponents in 2^nd Corinthians? How does Paul distinguish himself from them, and what are his strategies for persuading the congregation that he (Paul) is true and that his opponents are false?

6) Make a case either for or against for the Pauline authorship of the Pastoral Letters (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus).

7) How is it that the sufferings of Christians supplement the sufferings of Christ (Colossians 1:24). How does this passage fit with others that say the sufferings of Christ were once and for all.

8) “Not I. but the Lord.” What is Paul saying with this phrase found in 1 Corinthians 7:10 and 12? What are the alternate interpretations? Which do you think is correct?

g. The due date for the paper is Wednesday, April 22^nd.

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN: COURSE GRADING SCALE:

Research Paper 20% 100 - 90 A

First Exam 15% 89 - 80 B

Second Exam 15% 79 - 70 C

Final Exam 15% 69 - 60 D

Preparation/Participation 15% 59 - 0 F

Quiz Average 20%

COURSE OUTLINE:

I. PAUL’S BACKGROUND AND WORLD

A. Jewish aspects

B. Greek aspects

C. Roman aspects

II. PAUL’S CONVERSION - Acts 9; 22; 26

A. The Circumstances

B. Resultant Convictions

III. PAUL’S EARLY CHRISTIAN LIFE - Acts 9:19-30; Gal. 1:17-18; 2 Cor. 11:32-33

IV. PAUL AT ANTIOCH - Acts 11:19-30

V. PAUL’S FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY - Acts 13-14 -- The Writing Of Galatians

VI. THE JERUSALEM CONFERENCE - Acts 15:1-35

VII. PAUL’S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY - Acts 15:36 - 18:22

A. Two Missionary Teams

B. The Ministry in Asia Minor

C. The Advance into Europe

D. 1 Thessalonians

E. 2 Thessalonians

VIII. PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY - Acts 18:23 - 21:14

A. Ministry at Ephesus

B. 1 Corinthians

C. Paul to Troas and Macedonia

D. 2 Corinthians

E. Paul to Corinth

F. Romans

G. Paul from Corinth to Caesarea

IX. PAUL GOES TO JERUSALEM AND IS ARRESTED - Acts 21:15 - 23:22

X. PAUL’S IMPRISONMENT AT CAESAREA - Acts 23:23 - 26:32

XI. PAUL’S VOYAGE TO ROME - Acts 27:1 - 28:10

XII. PAUL’S FIRST ROMAN IMPRISONMENT - Acts 28:11-31

A. His Ministry In Rome

B. Ephesians

C. Colossians

D. Philemon

E. Philippians

XIII. PAUL’S RELEASE AND MINISTRY

A. 1 Timothy

B. Titus

XIV. PAUL IMPRISONED AND EXECUTED AT ROME

A. 2 Timothy

B. The Death of Paul

XV. PAUL’S MESSAGE

A. The Triumph of God in the World

B. Salvation: Now and Not Yet

C. The Place of Law

D. The Holy Spirit

E. The Church

F. The Christian Life

COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Banks, R. Paul’s Idea of Community. (ABC)

Barclay, W. The Mind of St. Paul. (ABC)

Barrett, C.K. Paul: An Introduction to His Thought. (ABC)

Barth, K. Romans. (AC)

Bornkamm, G. Paul. (AC)

Bruce, F.F. Acts in The New International Commentary. (ABC)

. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. (ABC)

. Peter, Stephen, James and John. (AC)

Carson, D.A. A Call to Spiritual Reformation.

Conybeare, W.J. and Howson, J.S. The Life and Epistles of St. Paul. (ABC)

Deissmann, A. Light From the Ancient East. (ABC)

Dodd, Brian. The Problem With Paul.

Dunn, James. The Theology of Paul the Apostle.

. Paul and the Mosaic Law.

Ellis, E. Paul's Use of the Old Testament.

Fitzmyer, J. Paul and His Theology.

Glover, T.R. Paul of Tarsus. (AC)

Goodwin, F. A Harmony of the Life of Paul. (ABC)

Gorman, M. Cruciformity: Paul's Narrative Spirituality of the Cross.

Grollenberg, L. Paul. (AC)

Guthrie, D. New Testament Introduction. Rev. ed. (ABC)

. Theology of the New Testament. (ABC)

Harris, M. Slave of Christ.

Hawthorne, Martin and Reid Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. (ABC)

Hengel, M. Acts and The History of Earliest Christianity. (AC)

Hill, C. Between Jesus and Paul. (AC)

Hunter, A.M. The Gospel According to St. Paul. (ABC)

Keck, L. Paul. (AC)

Kenner, Craig. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament.

Lightfoot, J.B. Biblical Essays.

Longenecker, R. The Ministry and Message of Paul.

. The Road From Damascus.

Lyall, F. Slaves, Citizens, and Sons. (ABC)

Malherbe, A. Paul and the Popular Philosophers. (ABC)

Marshall, I.H. Acts in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. (ABC)

. Exploring the New Testament, vol. 2.

. Witness To The Gospel: The Theology of Acts.

Munck, J. Acts in The Anchor Bible.

O’Brien, P.T. Gospel and Mission in the Writings of Paul.

. Introductory Thanksgivings in the Letters of Paul.

Pate, M. The End Of The Age Has Come: The Theology Of Paul. (ABC)

Pollock, J. The Apostle. (AC)

Ribberbos, H. Paul: An Outline Of His Theology.

Sanders, E. Paul and Palestinian Judaism. (AC)

Sandmel, S. The Genius of Paul: A Study in History. (AC)

Schreiner, T. Interpreting The Pauline Epistles.

. The Law And Its Fulfillment. (ABC)

. Paul: Apostle of God's Glory in Christ.

Shepard, J. W. The Life of Paul. (ABC)