1 and 2 Corinthians: Community, Mission and Ministry in the New Creation (BN3402W)

Content

This unit provides a comprehensive study of the Corinthian correspondence. The canonical letters 1 and 2 Corinthians provide a partial window into the emergence of an early Christ-assembly and the challenges and conflicts faced by that community. The letters also enable us to see Paul’s theology emerging in response to those challenges and conflicts. This unit will consider scholarly reconstructions of Corinthian community history and accounts of the theological convictions that come to expression in the rhetoric of the letters. A particular focus will be on the ways that the Corinthian correspondence constructs the identity, beliefs, boundaries, and behaviour of an early Christ-believing community, with special reference to the interface between the community and its cultural location. The unit will also explore Paul’s defense of his own ministry and consider its relationship to the community’s self-understanding and mission.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisite: Level 1 unit in New Testament

Pedagogy

Students will be guided through core methodologies, context, and interpretative frameworks through lectures.

Lectures will integrate in-depth engagement with the primary texts, and introduce students to significant issues in scholarly debate.

Classroom and/or online exercises will provide weekly opportunity to demonstrate engagement with primary texts.

Structured tutorial preparation and discussion will enable participatory consideration of selected primary texts.

Indicative Bibliography

• Adams, Edward, and David G. Horrell, eds. Christianity at Corinth: The Quest for the Pauline Church. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2004.
• Brookins, Timothy A. Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Corinthians: Paul, Stoicism, and Spiritual Hierarchy. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2024.
• Brown, Alexandra R. The Cross and Human Transformation: Paul's Apocalyptic Word in 1 Corinthians. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.
• Ciampa, Roy E., and Brian S. Rosner. The First Letter to the Corinthians. PNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010.
• Esler, Philip F. 2 Corinthians: A Social Identity Commentary. T & T Clark Social Identity Commentaries on the New Testament. London: T & T Clark, 2022.
• Fitzmyer, Joseph A. First Corinthians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 32. New Haven / London: Yale University Press, 2008.
• Furnish, Victor Paul. II Corinthians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. AB 32A. New York: Doubleday, 1984.
• Hafemann, Scott J. Suffering and Ministry in the Spirit: Paul's Defence of His Ministry in II Corinthians 2:14-3:3. Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2000.
• Kim, Yung Suk. Christ's Body in Corinth: The Politics of a Metaphor. Paul in Critical Contexts. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008.
• Meeks, Wayne A. The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul. 2nd ed. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2003.

Assessment