ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYBNT 533 Studies in the Letters of Paul: GalatiansJames D. Hernando, Ph.D Fall, [email protected] SYLLABUSCOURSE DESCRIPTIONThis course is an exposition of Paul's letter to the Galatians. Emphasis will be placed onthe doctrinal content of the epistle, particularly on Paul's presentation of the Gospel inlight of the historical occasion of the writing. Our study will explore the apologetic lettergenre as a plausible literary vehicle that Paul uses in the defense of the Gospel.Consequently, an attempt will be made to understand Paul's letter against the backgroundand thinking of his opponents in Galatia. Additional emphasis will be given to the role ofthe Holy Spirit in Paul's understanding of Christian faith and existence.OBJECTIVES At the successful completion of this course the student should be able to:Knowledge1. Identify the major introductory issues to the Galatian letter over which there isconsiderable debate and discuss the major views. 2. List the main components of a Graeco-Roman apologetic letter and briefly explaintheir literary function. Be able to identify the sections of Galatians that correspondto those functions. 3. Reconstruct the major theological views of Paul's opponents in Galatia and outlinehis responses to the same. 4. Discuss what role Paul assigns to the Holy Spirit in his understanding of theGospel and Christian existence.Skills1. Read a New Testament epistle with genre sensitivity, conducting onesinterpretation with a view to literary style and purpose.2. Interpret a New Testament epistle with regard to its Sitz im Leben, i.e., theconcrete historical situation that gave rise to its writing.3. Interpret a passage of Scripture within its larger literary context and in respect tothe literary purpose of the Galatian epistle.AttitudesBNT 533 Studies in the Letters of Paul: Galatians 2James D. Hernando, Ph.D1. More fully appreciate the literary environment of the New Testament and Paul'sletter as representative of Graeco-Roman epistolography.2. Recognize the value and interpretive insight to be gained by understanding thehumanness of Paul and that he penned Galatians in the heat of polemical debate.3. Realize the complex nature and difficulty of historical reconstruction of the Sitzim Leben from the fragmentary evidence of a New Testament letter.4. Appreciate how the Pentecostal/charismatic experience is the implicit assumptionof Paul in his understanding of the Christian life.TEXTBOOKS Required:Gaebelein, Frank E. ed. The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Vol. 10. Grand Rapids, MI:Zondervan Publishing Co., 1976.Hawthorne, G. F. and Ralph P. Martin eds. Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. DownersGrove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. Recommended:Fee, Gordon D. God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul.Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994.BASIC OUTLINE I. Prolegomena: Introductory issues to the background and literary composition ofthe bookA. Historical Questions B. Theological Issues of Debate II. Expositional Analysis: A. An Interpretive Framework: ApologiaB. ExpositionIII. Theological Analysis and Synthesis: Oral presentations and term papersMETHODOLOGY In this source we will seek to meet our objectives through:1. Classroom lecture.2. Guided classroom discussion of issues related to assigned reading, lectures, andwritten class assignments.3. Individual reading, research, and writing.COURSE REQUIREMENTSBNT 533 Studies in the Letters of Paul: Galatians 3James D. Hernando, Ph.D1. Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Whenever possible absences shouldbe announced beforehand to the professor. Excessive absenteeism is defined bythe AGTS catalog and is subject to grade reduction.2. Class participation - Throughout the semester students are expected to comeprepared for class discussion and to interact with the professor and other studentsby posing with questions and making relevant comments .3. Completion of all reading assignments.4. Completion of Reflection Study Questions.5. Oral Reading Report: on Prolegomena Issues6. Project Paper - Optionsa. Theological Application Paper ORb. Thematic Exposition Paper 7. Final ExamNote: Except in rare cases of extenuating circumstances, work turned in late without theprior permission of the professor will receive a grade reduction of 1/2 letter grade for everyday late.Oral Reading Report 1. A reading assignment related to prolegomena issues is to be presented orally inclass on the day the topic is discussed, or as assigned a. Present a summary review of the reading assignment that: 1) clearly and succinctly defines the topic orproblem addressed in the reading. 2) describes the author's position. 3) briefly outlines/presents the author's supporting evidence and/or arguments. b. The student should: 1) limit his presentation to 10-12 minutes.2) provide a one page outline of his presentation (include complete bibliographic information at the top of the page). 3) NOT exceed the 12 minute limit 4) NOT read from a manuscript, but speak using note cardsTheological Application Paper (10-12 pages in length)1. Topics must be chosen before Sept 29, 2004. Submit a brief description andreason behind your choice.2. The paper should :a) Present an coherent and integrated picture of Paul's teaching on a particulartheological topic or theme from this epistle.b) Show how consideration of Paul's teaching needs to be implemented in someaspect of the church's life and ministry .c) Show evidence of building on, but clearly expanding our classroominvestigation and discussion.BNT 533 Studies in the Letters of Paul: Galatians 4James D. Hernando, Ph.Dd) Show evidence of a careful inductive study of all relevant passages/texts.e) Use scholarly resources to support your conclusions, but NOT in place ofyour own inductive study and presentation of the internal evidence of theepistles.3. Write your paper using a modified APA format for footnoting (See enclosure).Your bibliography should conform to the style and format for bibliographiesfound in the latest edition of Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of TermPapers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,1987.Thematic Exposition Paper (10-12 pages)1. Topics must be chosen before Sept 29, 2004. Submit a brief description andreason behind your choice.2. The paper should :a) Present an coherent and