ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYBNT 533 Studies in the Letters of Paul: RomansBenny C. Aker, PhD Fall 2005 Wed 10:30-1:15 COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION Romans, if not the most important book of the Bible, certainly ranks among the top. It teachesabout faith, salvation, revelation, justification, sin and its consequences, suffering, Israel's placeamong the redeemed, eschatology, body ministry and community life, Christian and staterelationships, and Christian ethics. This class will examine these themes by considering the social,historical, and literary context in the context of its structure. OBJECTIVES At the end of this course the student should be able to:1. Interpret and apply Romans more effectively in personal life and ministry in light of its historical, social, and literary contexts;2. Reflect a greater commitment to serve God professionally, socially, and personally;3. Respond more efficiently to societal issues that life and ministry presents4. Articulate the background and contents of Romans. TEXTBOOKS Required Schreiner, Thomas R. Romans. ECNT. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.Recommended Donfried, Karl P. The Romans Debate: Revised and Expanded. Peabody, MA: Hendrikson, 1991.BASIC OUTLINE Of Special note:Chapel services: 9/28/05 10:30-11:45 11/16/05 10:30-11:45 Study week: October 24-29.BNT 533 St. Letter of Paul: RomansBenny C. AkerPage 2Block 1 Syllabus/orientationIntroduction to RomansRead Romans pp. 1-27.Also the student will benefit from consulting Donfried, K.P., ed. The Romans Debate. Rev. and Exp. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1991. Block 2AInterpretation of the text: Read the appropriate material, including the particular biblical textto be examined on a particular day, from the textbook. Have in mind the outline of thepassage under discussion for that day and be prepared to discuss its interpretation.Block 2BStudents will choose in advance paragraphs to present in class. A lesson plan should be prepared in advance and presented to the instructor. The plan should include the outline of the presentation in class: 1) introduction; 2) outline of the biblical passage; 3) an outline developing the class presentation; and 4) a bibliography. The presentation shouldlast about thirty minutes. Discussion will take up the rest of the class time. As soon asassignments are determined the schedule of them will be prepared and given to each classmember.METHODOLOGY 1. Reading, research, and writing.2. Lectures and discussion.3. Examination.4. Class presentationsCOURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Class attendance (cf. AGTS policy).2. Contribution to class discussion.3. Presentation of a biblical passage in class.4. Reading of all textbook material prior to the class for which it is scheduled.5. A 15-20 page interpretive paper on a paragraph in Romans. This can be on the samepassage as that presented in class (expanded and revised). DUE DECEMBER 7. 6. Final Exam: December 14.BNT 533 St. Letter of Paul: RomansBenny C. AkerPage 3GRADING 1. Presentation: 100 points2. Examination 100 points3. Paper 100 pointsTotal number of points: 300Averaged number of points and appropriate percentage: Publishable =A+94-100% =A90- 93% =A-87- 89% =B+ 84- 86% =B 80- 83% =B- 77- 79% =C+ 74- 76% =C 70- 73% =C- 67-69% =D+ 64- 66% =D 60-63% =D-The examination will be essay in nature and should reflect good organization, a knowledge of thestructure of Romans, content in terms of key words, theological themes, and views from textbook(and where appropriate outside reading). Late papers may be penalized at the rate of 5 points per day. SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY Commentaries Achtemeier, Paul. Romans. Interpretation Commentaries. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1985.Boers, Hendrikus. The Justification of the Gentiles: Paul's Letters to the Galatians and Romans. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1994Barrett, C. K. A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Harper's NT Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, 1957.Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Romans. Tr. Edwyn C. Hoskyns.London: Oxford University Press, 1933.Black, M. Romans. New Century Bible Commentary. London:Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 1973.BNT 533 St. Letter of Paul: RomansBenny C. AkerPage 4Bruce, F. F. Romans. Rev. ed. Tyndale NT Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.Cranfield, C. E. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. 2 vols. International Critical Commentary (new series). Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1975, 1979.Dodd, C. H. The Epistle of Paul to the Romans. Moffat NT Commentary. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1932.Dunn, James D. Romans 1-8. Word Biblical Commentary, 38A. Dallas: Word, 1988. . Romans 9-16. Word Biblical Commentary, 38B. Dallas: Word, 1988.Hendriksen, W. Exposition of Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981.Moo, Douglas, The Epistle to the Romans. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.Morris, L. Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.Moxnes, Halor. Theology in Conflict: Studies of Paul'sUnderstanding of God in Romans. Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1980.Murray, J. Epistle to the Romans. 2 vols. New International Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959, 1965.Nygren, A. Commentary on Romans. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1949.Sanday, W. and Arthur Headlam. A Critical and Exegetica Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. 5th edition. International Critical Commentary. T. & T. Clark, 1902.Stowers, Stanley K. A Rereading Romans: Justice, Jews, and Gentiles. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1994.Paul Bornkamm, G. Paul. Trans. D. M. G. Stalker. New York: Harper & Row, 1971.Bruce, F. F. Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977.Davies, W. D. Paul and Rabbinic Judaism: Some Rabbinic Elements in Pauline Theology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1980.Dunn, James D.G. Jesus, Paul, and the Law: Studies in Mark and Galatians. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press,1990.BNT 533 St. Letter of Paul: RomansBenny C. AkerPage 5Furnish, V. P. Theology and Ethics in Paul. Nashville: Abingdon, 1968.Hanson, A. T. Studies in Paul's Technique and Theology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.Longenecker, R. N. Paul: Apostle of Liberty. New York: Harper and Row, 1964.Munck, J. Paul and the Salvation of Mankind. Atlanta: John Knox, 1977 (paper back ed.).Ridderbos, H.