Details for New Testament Letters

The unit examines the rhetorical function of the New Testament letters, with special focus on Pauline literature. It the moves from generality of Pauline theology to the particularity of Romans, and the constraints posed by the epistolary mode itself. 

The unit New Testament Letters is part of the subject area Biblical Studies and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Master of Arts (Christian Studies) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of the principal literary forms, uses and major themes of Epistles in the New Testament;
2. identify the historical, geographical, social background and the literary nature of the New Testament letters;
3. analyse the use of rhetorical devices in the New Testament Epistles;
4. demonstrate critical engagement with both primary and secondary texts;
5. evaluate the narrative worldview implicit within Pauline theology;
critically analyse selected texts from Romans. 

Subject Content

1. Outline of the letters of the New Testament
2. Basic hermeneutical principles in exegeting the New Testament Epistles
3. Historical, cultural, political and religious contexts of the New Testament letters
4. Rhetorical Strategies in the New Testament Epistles
5. An introduction to the Pauline literature
6. The Narrative worldview of Paul
7. Exegetical Study of Romans
8. Hebrews and the General Epistles
9. Overview of James
10. Applying the New Testament Letters to contemporary Christian discipleship and ministry 

Assessment Methods

Minor essay, Major essay, Exam.

Prescribed Text

• Reading package provided

Representative References

Collins, Y.A. “Psalms, Philippians 2:6-11, and the Origins of Christology.” Biblical Interpretation 11, nos. 3-4 (2003): 361-372.

deSilva, D.A. Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle "To the Hebrews". Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

Dunn, J.D.G. (ed.). The Cambridge Companion to St Paul. Cambridge: CUP, 2003.

Fee, G.D. Pauline Christology: an exegetical-theological study. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.

Fitzmyer, J.A. “The Structured Ministry of the Church in the Pastoral Epistles.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 66, no. 4 (2004): 582-596.

Gilfillan Upton, B. “Can Stepmothers be saved? Another Look at 1 Timothy 2:8-15.” Feminist Theology 15, no. 2 (2007): 175-185.

Haacker, K. The Theology of Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Koester, C.R. Hebrews. New York: Doubleday, 2001.