First Corinthians (BN9031W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit explores Paul’s interaction with the Corinthian community, with a focus on contents of the letter and on the social and historical context to that interaction. Students will examine the complexities of Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian house churches; the dialogical and rhetorical structure of the letters; the underlying social, political and cultural factors shaping the exchanges; and the critical themes that emerge. The unit will encourage students in the task of applying their findings to the life and mission of the church today.

Unit code: BN9031W

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Discuss the socio-political and historical context in which the letter first developed
2.

Discuss the significance of rhetorical and persuasive features of the letter
3.

Debate the critical significance of Pauline themes in First Corinthians
4.

Employ a range of appropriate exegetical methods and resources to selected texts in First Corinthians
5.

Give an informed account of the history of interpretation of First Corinthians
6.

Critique postcolonial, crosscultural and intercultural approaches to interpreting First Corinthians in light of contemporary socio-political and cultural issues

Unit sequence

Prerequisite: 24 Points in BN

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Horsley, Richard A. Wisdom and Spiritual Transcendence at Corinth: Studies in First Corinthians. Eugene: Cascade, 2008.
  • Horrell, David G. Solidarity and Difference: A contemporary reading of Paul’s ethics. London: T&T Clark, 2005.

  • Kwon, Oh-Young Kwon, 1 Corinthians 1-4: Reconstructing its Social and Rhetorical Situation and Re-Reading It Cross-Culturally for Korean-Confucian Christians Today. Eugene: Wipe and Stock, 2010.

  • Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A commentary on the Greek text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. (Recommended for purchase)

  • White, Adam G. Where is the Wise Man: Greco–Roman Education as a Background to the Divisions in 1 Corinthians 1–4. London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2015. (Recommended for purchase)

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Critical Review - One 2,000 word Critical Review of Readings 2000 25.0
Learning Resource - One 2,000 word Learning Resource 2000 25.0
Exegetical Essay - One 4,000 word Exegetical Essay 4000 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 20 Oct, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-20 15:43:27 +1100