Paul, the Cross-shaped Church, and its Mission

Upon successful completion of the unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

Undergraduate

1. Articulate Paul’s understanding of conformity with the crucified Christ and its relationship to the call and mission of the church.
2. Interpret texts in the Pauline corpus in their rhetorical and socio-historical context.
3. Identify and articulate elements of Pauline thought and teaching that are interconnected with participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.
4. Reflect critically on the implications of the Pauline concept of conformity with the crucified Christ for the mission of the church today.
5. Level 3: Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of participation in Christ in view of the recent developments in Pauline scholarship.

Postgraduate

1. Articulate Paul’s understanding of conformity with the crucified Christ and its relationship to the call and mission of the church.
2. Critically analyse relevant texts in the Pauline corpus in their rhetorical and socio-historical context.
3. Identify and articulate elements of Pauline thought and teaching that are interconnected with participation in Christ’s death and resurrection.
4. Critically evaluate, through independent research, the concept of “participation in Christ” in view of recent developments in Pauline scholarship.
5. Reflect critically on the implications of the Pauline concept of conformity with the crucified Christ for the mission of the church today.

Undergraduate

Level 2:

• One 1,000-word thematic tutorial paper (20%)
• One 1,500-word exegetical essay (40%)
• One 1,500-word thematic essay (40%)

Level 3 Classroom:

• One 1,000-word thematic tutorial paper (20%)
• One 2,000-word exegetical essay (40%)
• One 2,000-word thematic essay (40%)

Level 3 Online:

• Online tutorial participation (at least five entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to set readings and peer interaction (20%)
• One 2,000-word exegetical essay (40%)
• One 2,000-word thematic essay (40%)

Postgraduate Classroom:

• One 1,000-word thematic tutorial paper (20%)
• One 3,500-word exegetical essay (40%)
• One 3,500-word thematic essay (40%)

Postgraduate Online:

• Online tutorial participation (at least five entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to set readings and peer interaction (20%)
• One 3,500-word exegetical essay (40%)
• One 3,500-word thematic essay (40%)

Set texts recommended for purchase are highlighted in blue

• Campbell, Constantine R. Paul and Union with Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.
• Campbell, Douglas A. The Quest for Paul’s Gospel: A Suggested Strategy. London: T&T Clark, 2005.
• Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. Our Mother Saint Paul. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.
• Gorman, Michael J. Inhabiting the Cruciform God: Kenosis, Justification, and Theosis in Paul’s Narrative Soteriology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.
• ————. Becoming the Gospel: Paul, Participation, and Mission. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015.
• Hooker, Morna D. From Adam to Christ: Essays on Paul. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990.
• Hooker, Morna D., and Frances M. Young. Holiness and Mission: Learning from the Early Church About Mission in the City. London: SCM Press, 2010.
• Tannehill, Robert C. Dying and Rising with Christ: A Study in Pauline Theology. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2006. [Previously published by Berlin: Alfred Töpelmann, 1967.]
• Wright, N. T. Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2013.
• Wu, Siu Fung. Suffering in Romans. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2015.