RELG 216: Pauline Christianity
Spring 2015 MW 2:20-3:50pm in West 111
Dr. Paul Hinlicky
Office: West 305
Email: Hinlicky@roanoke.edu
Office hours: MWF 11am-12noon
Course Description: This course studies the letters of Paul the Apostle in English translation and the
literature about Paul, included literature written in Paul’s name, in the New Testament. We inquire into
the message, or “gospel,” of Paul, in its original historical setting by way of contemporary methods of
biblical study and theological reflection. Students are introduced to major themes in Paul. They are
exposed to the problems for understanding they provoke and the questions they have inspired in
scholarship and Christian theological tradition. Such questions include: Did Paul, the Jewish Pharisee
turned into Christian missionary to the Gentiles, “invent” Christianity? Did he turn the simple religion of
Jesus into a dogmatic religion about Jesus? What did Paul mean by “justification by faith apart from the
works of the law?” Could the historical Paul’s theology survive without the return of Jesus in glory that
he expected at any moment? Why have a number of contemporary philosophers rediscovered Paul as
the source of the revolutionary “event,” the true “universal,” and/or the apocalyptic “death of God?”
The biblical literacy and critical acumen acquired in this course is basic to further biblical, religious and
theological study. The method of instruction is interactive lecturing. Student participation is imperative
in classroom discussion and the participation grade is based on it.
Learning Outcomes: 1) Students will know the Pauline literature of the New Testament; 2) students will
understand the historical, cultural, religious and philosophical contexts of the Pauline message in 2nd
Temple Judaism and the Graeco-Roman world; 3) students will acquire introductory level knowledge
and appreciation of the theological themes of Paul and his tradition; 4) students will acquire
introductory level knowledge and appreciation of modern methods of biblical criticism and theological
reflection, including the ability to identify, distinguish and critically evaluate differing theological accents
in the Pauline literature; 5) students will improve their ability to read carefully, thinking analytically, and
write exegetically; 6) students will be able to consider a topic in depth, evaluate and synthesize
information in good organization and make cogent arguments about it.
Class Policies: 1) No more than five unexcused absences are permitted; 2) excused absences for sickness
or other exceptional circumstances are made in advance of class or by written proof of sickness after
class; 3) quizzes on days of unexcused absence cannot be made up; 4) students falling asleep in class are
dismissed with an unexcused absence; 5) phones must be turned off during class; 6) internet-free
electronic devices are permitted for note-taking, subject to spot examination by the instructor; violators
are dismissed from class with an unexcused absence; 7) written work must be submitted error-free. If
more than three mechanical errors appear on a page, the entire paper is returned for correction and
resubmission at the penalty of a half-grade per day; 8) student with documented learning disabilities are
encourage to consult with the instructor concerning accommodations; 9) the document, “Academic
Integrity at Roanoke College” is to be observed in spirit and in letter. Plagiarism is not permitted, and
special care should be taken to cite sources properly. When in doubt, ask!
Assignments and Grades: There are 23 reading quizzes, unless otherwise noted, on a particular Pauline
text assigned for the day, inclusive of the Introductions and Critical Notes contained in the Oxford
Annotated Study Bible, and the supplementary reading from Puskas and Reasoner and on several
documents posted on Inquire at the end of the semester. Each quiz is worth approximately 1 point, all
together 25. There is a comprehensive final examination worth 15 points. There are four working papers
doing preparatory studies on a text chosen from a list provided below in the course calendar and a final
paper. Each working paper is worth 7.5 points and the final paper is worth 25. The research proposal is
worth 3 points. Each working paper is to utilize at least one scholarly resource outside the assigned
readings such as a commentary, a peer review journal article, or a monograph. The final paper should
use multiple sources. All should be carefully prepared with multiple revisions and submitted free of
mechanical errors and follow the Chicago Manual of Style, especially with regard to notation. The
prompts provided in the course outline should be strictly followed. Participation in classroom discussion
is worth 3 pts.
The Office of Disability Support Services, located in the Goode-Pasfield Center for Learning and
Teaching in Fintel Library, provides reasonable accommodations to students with identified disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations are provided based on the diagnosed disability and the recommendations
of the professional evaluator. In order to be considered for disability services, students must identify
themselves to the Office of Disability Support Services. Students are required to provide specific current
documentation of their disabilities. Please contact Richard Robers, M.A. Ed., Coordinator of Disability
Support Services, at 540-375-2247 or e-mail robers@roanoke.edu.
Subject Tutoring is a CRLA Nationally Certified Program located on the lower-level of Fintel library in
room 005. Subject Tutoring offers individual appointments in 30-minute intervals for Lab Sciences,
Modern Languages, Math & CPSC, Social Sciences, Business & Economics. Hours are Sunday - Thursday 4
p.m. - 9 p.m. For a list of tutorials or to make an appointment, go to www.roanoke.edu/tutoring.
The Writing Center @ Roanoke College, located in Room 15 on the Lower Level of Fintel Library, offers
writing tutorials for students working on writing assignments/projects in any field. Writers at all levels
of competence may visit the Writing Center at any point in their process, from brainstorming to drafting
to editing, and talk with trained peer writing tutors in informal, one-on-one sessions. The Writing
Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 9 pm. We open for Spring Semester on Monday,
January 23rd. Simply stop in, or schedule an appointment by going to www.roanoke.edu/writingcenter,
where our schedule of writing workshops and creative writing playshops is also
posted. Questions? Email writingcenter@roanoke.edu or call 375-4949. You can also Like our page on
Facebook!
Grade Scale: A: 100-94; A- 93-90; B+ 89-87; B 86-83; B- 82-80; C+ 79-77’ C 76-73; C- 72-70; D 69-65; F less
than 65.
Required Texts:
The Oxford Annotated Study Bible
Charles B. Puskas and Mark Reasoner, The Letters of Paul: An Introduction
Course Calendar
Jan 12
Introduction to the Course
What do we know about the life of Paul? In class study of Galatians 1:11-2:21, 2 Corinthians 12 1-10 and
1 Corinthians 9:1.
Jan 14
Quiz, Puskas + Reasoner, Chp. 3
Jan 19
Quiz, The Book of Acts, especially chapters 7, 9-28. Note: when readings are assigned from the New
Oxford Annotated Bible, you are expected to read the Introductions and Notes as well as the biblical
texts.
Jan 20
Quiz, 2 Timothy + Puskas & Reasoner, 239-40, 249-51.
Jan 26
Quiz, Puskas & Reasoner, Chapters 1 & 2
Jan 28
Quiz, 1 Thessalonians + Puskas & Reasoner, Chp. 9
Feb 2
Quiz, 2 Thessalonians
Feb 4
Quiz, I Corinthians + Puskas & Reasoner, 89-113
Feb 9
Quiz, 2 Corinthians + Puskas & Reasoner, 113-20.
Feb 11
Quiz, Galatians + Puskas & Reasoner, Chp 6.
Feb 16
Quiz, Romans + Puskas & Reasoner, Chp. 4.
Feb 18
Quiz, Philippians + Puskas & Reasoner, 179-94.
Feb 23
Quiz, Philemon + Puskas & Reasoner, 194-99.
Feb 25
Quiz, Colossians + Puskas & Reasoner, 143-58.
Spring Break
Mar 9
Quiz, Ephesians + Puskas & Reasoner,158-78.
Mar 11
Quiz, Titus and 1 Timothy + Puskas & Reasoner, 219-48, 51-3.
Research Proposal: Pick a text from the list. You will stay with this text and theme for the rest of the
semester investigating in every broader and deeper perspectives. What are the issues that arise in
interpreting it? Submit a one page paper listing the controversial issues, possible theses that you might
argue and the method by which you will demonstrate your thesis. Submit a bibliography to accompany
your work.
On sin, Romans 5: 12-17
On revelation, Galatians 1: 6-12.
On Christ, Philippians 2: 5-11.
On the ecclesia, 1 Corinthians 12: 12-30.
On the parousia, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
On the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15: 12-28.
On the apostolate, 2 Corinthians 4: 1-12.
On the word of the cross 1 Cor 1: 18-2:5.
On the righteousness of God, Romans 3:21-25.
Mar 16
Research Proposal is due
Lecture: Paul in the memory of the church, its heretics, and opponents
Mar 18
Quiz: Romans 4, 9-11 on the faith of Abraham and the fate of Israel
Mar 23
Quiz: Romans 7-8 on bondage and liberation
Working paper # 1 is due: grammatical exegesis, what literally do the words say. Questions of
vocabulary, word order, grammar, and sense. 1000 words
Mar 25
Quiz: Galatians 3 and Christ accursed
Mar 30
Quiz: 2 Corinthians 5 and the ministry of reconciliation
Working paper # 2: contextual exegesis, what the passage says in the context of Paul’s argument in this
particular letter. 1000 words
Apr 1
Quiz: Romans 12-13 and Galatians 5 on freedom to love
Apr 6
Lecture: Traditional theological readings of Paul
Quiz on Luther’s “Preface to Romans” (document posted on Inquire)
Working paper # 3: interpretation, how this passage compares with the rest of Paul’s thought from what
we know of his generally accepted letters. 1500 words
Apr 8
Lecture: Contemporary philosophical readings of Paul
Quiz on Chapter Six, “Deus Revelatus” from Adkins and Hinlicky, Rethinking Philosophy and Theology
with Deleuze (document posted on Inquire).
Apr 13
Working paper # 4, theological understanding, what claims to knowledge of God can be argued from this
passage. 1500 words
Lecture: Contemporary theological readings of Paul
Quiz on Chapter Seven, Old, New and Different Perspectives on Paul from Hinlicky, Luther and the
Beloved Community (document posted on Inquire).
Apr 15
Working paper # 4 returned and individual consultations regarding the final paper.
Final Exam: April 28 2:00 – 5:00pm
Final paper is due. On the basis of your working papers, submit a final paper making an argument (i.e.
discussion of the issues, thesis statement, method statement, evidence and analysis, rebuttal of
objections, logical conclusion) about the meaning of your passage. 5000 words.