1 Corinthians (BN3211T)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit involves a detailed study of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. It focuses especially on Paul's perception of the problems arising in the life of the young church in Corinth, and his responses to them. It explores Paul’s relationship with his churches, including Corinth, and examines the way his theology adapts itself to new situations and new contexts. The specific context of the church in Corinth is explored, and different scholarly opinions canvassed. The unit explores the nature of Paul’s theology in 1 Corinthians, including its relationship to 2 Corinthians and the other Pauline writings, along with the question of its ongoing relevance for the context of the church today.

Unit code: BN3211T

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: New Testament

Proposing College: Trinity College Theological School

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Describe the context of the Corinthian church in the Greco-Roman world
2.

Outline the theological issues raised in 1 Corinthians by the church and Paul’s responses to them.
3.

Articulate and critically assess different scholarly views on the theology of the Corinthian church which Paul is addressing.
4.

Discuss exegetical issues for reading 1 Corinthians.
5.

Assess the significance of the theology of 1 Corinthians for the contemporary church.

Unit sequence

1 foundational unit in New Testament as prerequisite

Pedagogy

Weekly lectures, weekly tutorials, written assessments, online forums Exegetical Essay (2500 words) Book Review (1500 words) Online forum discussions (1500 words)

Indicative Bibliography

  • Barnett, P. The Corinthians Question: Why Did the Church Oppose Paul? Nottingham: Apollos, 2011.
  • Barrett, C.K. A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians. 2nd ed. London: A & C Black, 1971.
  • Chow, J.K. Patronage and Power: A Study of Social Networks in Corinth. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1992.
  • Collins, R.F. First Corinthians. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1999.
  • Fee, G.D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.
  • Friesen, S.J. et al, eds. Corinth in Contrast: Studies in Inequality. Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2013.
  • Hays, R.B. First Corinthians. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.
  • Horrell, D.G. The Social Ethos of the Corinthian Correspondence. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1996.
  • Horsley, R.A. 1 Corinthians. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
  • Lim, Kar Yong. Metaphors and Social Identity Formation in Paul's Letters to the Corinthians. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2017.
  • Mitchell, Margaret M. Paul and the Rhetoric of Reconciliation. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1991.
  • Perkins, P. First Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012.
  • Thiselton, A. First Corinthians: A Shorter Exegetical and Pastoral Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006.
  • Winter, Bruce. After Paul Left Corinth. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001.
  • Witherington, B. Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay - Exegetical Essay 2500 40.0
Forum - online forum engagement across 6 forums 1500 30.0
Book Review 1000 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 1 Sep, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-09-01 17:11:56 +1000