Galatians: Faith, Law and the Love-Centred Community

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

Undergraduate

1. Critique the social, cultural, religious, and historical contexts in which the letter was written.
2. Evaluate the possible identities of the “agitators” in Galatians, and how they may influence the interpretation of the key issues of the letter.
3. Articulate Paul’s understanding of faith and the law in the communal life of the Galatian house churches.
4. Analyse the use of the Old Testament in Galatians.
5. Critically analyse selected texts in Galatians using a range of interpretative methodologies.
6. Reflect critically on the implications of Paul’s Christology, ethics, pneumatology, and ecclesiology for the life and mission of the church today.

Postgraduate

1. Critique the social, cultural, religious, and historical contexts in which the letter was written.
2. Evaluate the possible identities of the “agitators” in Galatians, and how they may influence the interpretation of the key issues of the letter.
3. Articulate Paul’s understanding of faith and the law in the communal life of the Galatian house churches.
4. Analyse the use of the Old Testament in Galatians.
5. Critically analyse selected texts in Galatians using a range of interpretative methodologies.
6. Reflect critically on the implications of Paul’s Christology, ethics, pneumatology, and ecclesiology for the life and mission of the church today.
7. Critically evaluate Pauline scholarship on Galatians in relation to faith, the law and Paul’s soteriology.

Undergraduate

Classroom:

• One thematic tutorial paper (1.000 words) (20%)
• One exegetical essay (2,000 words) (40%)
• One thematic essay (2,000 words) (40%)

Online:

• Online tutorial participation (at least five entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to set readings and peer interaction (1,000 words) (20%)
• One exegetical essay (2,000 words) (40%)
• One thematic essay (2,000 words) (40%)

Postgraduate

Classroom:

• One thematic tutorial paper (1.000 words) (20%)
• One exegetical essay (3,500 words) (40%)
• One thematic essay (3,500 words) (40%)

Online:

• Online tutorial participation (at least five entries of approximately 200 words each) responding to set readings and peer interaction (1,000 words) (20%)
• One exegetical essay (3,500 words) (40%)
• One thematic essay (3,500 words) (40%)

Set texts recommended for purchase are highlighted in blue

• Barclay, John. Paul and the Gift. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015.
• Bird, Michael J. and Preston Sprinkle, eds. The Faith of Jesus Christ: Exegetical, Biblical, and Theological Studies. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2009.
• de Boer, Martinus. Galatians: A Commentary. NTL. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2011.
• Elliott, Mark W., Scott Hafemann, N. T. Wright and John Frederick, eds. Galatians and Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2014.
• Hays, Richard B. The Faith of Jesus Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
• Longenecker, Bruce, ed. Narrative Dynamics in Paul. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2002.
• Longenecker, Bruce. The Triumph of Abraham’s God. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1998.
• Lopez, Davina. The Apostle to the Conquered: Reimagining Paul’s Mission. Minneapolis, MN: fortress, 2010.
• Martyn, J. Louis. Galatians. Anchor Bible. New York, NY: Doubleday, 1997.
• Moo, Douglas. Galatians. BECNT, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2013.
• Nanos, Mark D. ed. The Galatians Debate: Contemporary Issues in Rhetorical and Historical Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2002.
• Oakes, Peter. Galatians. Paideia. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2015.
• Witherington, Ben. Grace in Galatia. A Commentary on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998.