BTH 2331 Romans in the Context of Pauls Theology Course Syllabus Fall 2010 3 Credits Professor: Mark Weedman,

an, Ph.D. Email: mweedman@crossroadscollege.edu Meeting: MWF 11 11:50 Course Description and Goals: This course examines the theology of Pauls Letter to the Romans. The groundwork of this course will be an examination of the text of this letter. Our overall goal, however, is to use this text to gain an appreciation for its theology. We will be especially interested in determining what Paul believes is the foundation of the Christian Faith (the gospel), and what the implications of this foundation are for Christian belief and practice. To this end, we will also take into account the theology of other letters on Pauls corpus. Because this is an Upper Division Scripture course, I expect you to bring the full range of your Biblical knowledge along with your exegetical skills to bear on our examination of this letter. Relationship of Course to Curriculum: Upper Division BTH elective Required Textbooks 1. 2. 3. 4. A Study Bible in a modern translation. Especially recommended are the NIV Study Bible or the NRSV version of the Oxford Annotated Bible. Michael Gorman, Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and His Letters (Eerdmans, 2004). Katherine Grieb, Story of Romans (Westminster John Knox Press, 2002). N.T. Wright, Justification: God's Plan & Paul's Vision (IVP, 2009). Room: S102 Phone: 535-3332

Course Requirements 1. Class Participation (15 points): I will expect you to come to class having read the assigned passage and ready to participate in the discussion. The class participation grade will take into account attendance, whether you have your textbooks in class, and your general alertness during class lectures and discussions. However, the focus of the class discussions, and the class participation grade, will be the daily discussion questions. For each reading I will provide a series of questions based on that reading. You should come to class prepared to answer these questions. Failure to provide a credible answer when called upon will result in a mandatory loss of .5 points. The purpose of these questions is both to facilitate your reading and generate class discussion. 2. Attendance: You are allowed four absences without penalty. Any absence over four will result in the loss of one point from your class participation grade. Because tardiness can be more disruptive than absences, each accumulation of two will count as one absence. Exams: 25 points each; 2 exams Exegetical Paper (35 points): The primary writing assignment for this course will be a detailed, 10-12 page, exegetical and research paper on one specific passage in Romans, as indicated by the course schedule. This project will be graded in four stages: 4.1. Logic and Structure: Provide a detailed analysis of the logic and structure of your passage. Due Monday, October 18. (5 Points) 4.2. Contextual Analysis: Provide an analysis of the context of your passage, including its context in the Romans, Pauls thought, the rest of the New Testament and, especially, the Old Testament.

3. 4.

Your analysis should be 3 5 pages of exposition, not counting any quotations of scripture. Due Monday, November 1. (5 Points) 4.3. Annotated Bibliography: A 3-page fully annotated bibliography. See MLA handbook for format of the bibliography, and consult the following web page: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_annotatedbib.html. Your bibliography must include annotation of at least five academic journal articles or commentaries. 1 Due Monday, November 15. (5 points) 4.4. Final Research Paper. This paper is not a commentary, nor is it simply a summation of your research. Instead, you should use the paper (and your research) to defend a clear thesis (e.g. In the paper I will show that when the author says X he means Y). It should follow the conventional standards for research papers and demonstrate good grammar, spelling and MLA formatting. If you have any questions about that last sentence, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the writing center. The final paper is due Monday, December 13. (20 points) Late Paper Policy 1. To receive full credit, all papers must be turned in on the date specified in the syllabus by the beginning of the scheduled class time. I do reserve the right to move the due date to a later day. In this case, I will announce the new date in class, and it will become the date by which the paper must be submitted in order to receive full credit. I will only accept late papers for one calendar week after the official due date. Late papers will lose one point per week day that they are late (up to five points). Papers not turned in by the one week deadline will automatically receive a grade of 0. In the event of extraordinary circumstances, I will accept late papers without penalty. I will evaluate these circumstances on a case by case basis. To receive an extension, the student must speak with me in person as soon as possible, and I will be far more inclined to grant extensions if the student speaks with me before the official due date (or before the one week deadline at the very least).

2.

3.

Grading Scale
1. 2. 3. 4. Class Participation: Research Paper. Mid-term Exam: Final Exam: Total Points: A AB+ B BC+ C 100 - 94 93 - 90 89 - 87 86 - 83 82 - 80 79 - 77 76 - 73 15 points 35 points 25 points 25 points

100 points

An academic commentary (or article) is defined as one that works from the Greek text of the New Testament. This definition only speaks to the level of scholarship present in the work, and it does not mean you need to know Greek to use to commentary. Examples of commentaries that meet this definition are included in the Suggested Reading section of this syllabus. I will put several acceptable commentaries on reserve in the library, and feel free to ask me about any others. Almost nothing you find on the internet will be acceptable!

CD+ D D-

72 - 70 69 - 67 66 - 63 62 60

Special Needs: Any accommodations for students with special needs must be documented and approved through the Academic Office. See the V.P. of Academics to initiate the process. Use of Electronic Equipment in the Classroom: Computers and other devices brought to the classroom should be used only as directed or permitted by the instructor of a given class. In-class use of cell phones, pagers and other devices that potentially may create classroom distractions is prohibited (e.g., cell phones must be set on silent). Violation of this policy may result in dismissal of students from the classroom, prohibiting students from using the devices in the classroom, prohibiting the students from having the devices in academic areas during times when classes are in session, or other consequences at the discretion of the instructor. Academic Integrity: Honesty in all endeavors is vital as an expression of the Christian life. Students at Crossroads College will not participate, encourage, or condone such behavior as cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty. All assignments must be the students original work for the course in which the material is submitted. When students utilize work that is not their own, proper credit must be given to the source of the information. Cheating, plagiarism, and/or any other form of dishonesty in any context should be considered a moral and ethical offense, will not be tolerated at Crossroads College, and students may be placed on probation, suspended, or expelled as a result. It is the students responsibility to be aware of behaviors which constitute academic dishonesty and consequences, as defined in the current college catalog.

Recommended Reading
Students should consult the extensive and very helpful bibliographies at http://moses.creighton.edu/harmless/bibliographies_for_theology/New_Testament_1.htm. Course Schedule Mondays Week 1 August 23, 2010 Wednesdays August 25, 2010 Fridays August 27, 2010 Jew and Gentile in the Early Church (Read all of Acts)

Assignments

Introduction and Course Overview

Week 2

August 30, 2010 Paul's Life and Mission (Gorman, chapters 1 2)

September 1, 2010 Overview of Paul's Theology (Gorman, Chapters 3 - 6; concentrate on Chapter 6)

September 3, 2010 Thessalonians (For each letter, read the corresponding chapter in Gorman)

Assignments

Week 3

September 6, 2010 NO CLASS (Labor Day)

September 8, 2010

September 10, 2010

Assignments

Galatians

Corinthians

Week 4

September 13, 2010

September 15, 2010

September 17, 2010

Assignments

2 Corinthians

Philippians - Colossians

Ephesians 1

Week 5

September 20, 2010

September 22, 2010

September 24, 2010

Assignments

Ephesians 2

1 -2 Timothy

Who was Paul?

Week 6

September 27, 2010

September 29, 2010 Romans: Historical Context

October 1, 2010 Romans: Theological Debates 1

Assignments

Midterm Exam

Week 7

October 4, 2010 Romans: Theological Debates 3

October 6, 2010 Romans: Theological Overview

October 8, 2010 Romans 1.1 - 17 Read the corresponding section in Grieb and your commentary)

Assignments

Week 8

October 11, 2010

October 13, 2010 NO CLASS (Mission Emphasis Chapel)

October 15, 2010

Assignments

Romans 1.18 - 3.31 (1)

Romans 1.18 - 3.31 (2)

Week 9

October 18, 2010

October 20, 2010

October 22, 2010 NO CLASS (Fall Recess)

Assignments

Romans 1.18 - 3.31 (3)

Romasn 4.1 - 25

Week 10

October 25, 2010

October 27, 2010

October 29, 2010

Assignments

Romans 5.1 21

Romans 6.1 14

Romans 6.15 23

Week 11

November 1, 2010

November 3, 2010

November 5, 2010

Assignments

Romans 7.1 25

Romans 8.1 17

Romans 9 11 (1)

Week 12

November 8, 2010

November 10, 2010

November 12, 2010

Assignments

Romans 9 - 11 (2)

Romans 12

Romans 13

Week 13

November 15, 2010

November 17, 2010

November 19, 2010 NO CLASS (Weedman at SBL)

Assignments

Romans 14

Romans 15 - 16

Week 14

November 22, 2010 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break)

November 24, 2010 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break)

November 26, 2010 NO CLASS (Thanksgiving Break)

Assignments

Week 15

November 29, 2010 Wrap Up, Sum Up and Catch Up

December 1, 2010 The Old Perspective on Paul (Reading TBD)

December 3, 2010 The New Perspective on Paul (Reading TBD)

Assignments

Week 16

December 6, 2010

December 8, 2010

December 10, 2010

Assignments

Wright, Chapter 1

Wright, Chapter 2

Wright Chapter 3

Week 17

December 13, 2010

December 15, 2010

December 17, 2010

Assignments

Wright Chapter 4

Unit Review

Semester Exams!