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ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BNT 533 Studies in the Letters of Paul: Galatians James D. Hernando, Ph.D Fall, 2010 COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an exposition of Paul's letter to the Galatians. Emphasis will be placed on the doctrinal content of the epistle, particularly on Paul's presentation of the Gospel in light of the historical occasion of the writing. Our study will explore the apologetic letter genre 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 background and thinking of his opponents in Galatia. Additional emphasis will be given to the role of the 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: Knowledge 1. Identify the major introductory issues to the Galatian letter over which there is considerable debate and discuss the major views. 2. List the main components of a Graeco-Roman apologetic letter and briefly explain their literary function. Be able to identify the sections of Galatians that seem to correspond to those functions. 3. Reconstruct the major theological views of Paul's opponents in Galatia and outline his responses to the same. 4. List and discuss from Galatians what is essential to Paul’s understanding of the Gospel, i.e., what constitutes the message of God’s salvific work in and through Jesus Christ. 5. Discuss what role Paul assigns to the Holy Spirit in his understanding of the Gospel and Christian existence. Skills 1. Read a New Testament epistle with genre sensitivity, conducting ones interpretation with a view to literary style and purpose. 2. Interpret a New Testament epistle with regard to its Sitz im Leben, i.e., the concrete historical situation that gave rise to its writing. 3. Interpret a passage of Scripture within its larger literary context and in respect to the literary purpose of the Galatian epistle.Attitudes 1. More fully appreciate the literary environment of the New Testament and Paul's letter as representative of Graeco-Roman epistolography. 2. Recognize the value and interpretive insight to be gained by understanding the humanness 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 Sitz im Leben from the fragmentary evidence of a New Testament letter. 4. Appreciate how the Pentecostal/charismatic experience is the implicit assumption of 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. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. ISBN-10: 0830817786 Recommended: Fee, Gordon D. God's Empowering Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2009. ISBN-10: 1598564323 Hernando, James D. Dictionary of Hermeneutics: A Concise Guide to Terms, Names, Methods and Expressions. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2005.1 ISBN-10: 0882430866 BASIC OUTLINE I. Prolegomena: Introductory issues to the background and literary composition of the book A. Historical Questions B. Theological Issues of Debate II. Expositional Analysis: A. An Interpretive Framework: Apologia B. Exposition 1 Highly recommended for seminarians who do not have an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies, or sense a need for help with the overall terminology of biblical interpretation and New Testament studies. The text is also presently used in the course: BIB 532 Hermeneutics.III. Theological Analysis and Synthesis: Oral presentations and term papers METHODOLOGY 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, and written class assignments. 3. Individual reading, research, and writing. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Whenever possible absences should be announced beforehand to the professor. Excessive absenteeism is defined by the AGTS catalog and is subject to grade reduction. 2. Class participation - Throughout the semester students are expected to come prepared for class discussion and to interact with the professor and other students by posing questions and making relevant comments . 3. Completion of all reading assignments: Textbook and IVP articles 4. Completion of Reflection Study Questions 5. Oral Reading Report: on Prolegomena Issues 6. Project Paper – Options: a. Theological Application Paper OR b. Thematic Exposition Paper 6. Final Exam Note: Except in rare cases of extenuating circumstances, work turned in late without the prior permission of the professor will receive a grade reduction of 1/2 letter grade for every day late. Chapel Attendance: Seminary chapel intersects our class on (date TBA). Class will meet on that day, but dismiss early for chapel which runs from (time TBA). Oral Reading Report2 A reading assignment related to prolegomena issues is to be presented orally in class on the day the topic is discussed, or as assigned. 1. A reading assignment related to prolegomena issues is to be presented orally in class on the day the topic is discussed, or as assigned. a. Present a summary review of the reading assignment that: 2 In the event that there are more students in the class than prolegomena issues, the BGR 625 students may chose to fulfill this requirement by presenting a 10-12 minute oral presentation on a problem related to the passage they have chosen for their exegesis paper. The report would be given on the day the passage is dealt with in class.1) clearly and succinctly defines the topic or problem addressed in the reading. 2) describes the author's position or perspective. 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 (Time your presentation.)3 Theological


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