Corinthians

Adam White
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Overview

Welcome

Welcome to our short course on the Corinthian letters!

We are thrilled to have you join us on this enlightening journey. We hope this course will inspire and equip you to better understand two of Paul’s most incredible letters: 1 and 2 Corinthians.

Short course overview

Perhaps some of the best-known but least understood letters of Paul are 1 and 2 Corinthians. More than that, the Corinthian church is perhaps the most disparaged of Paul’s congregations. A lot is assumed about who the Christians in Corinth were and what they were doing; they are also held up as “exhibit A” of what not to be as a church. But how fair is this assessment?

Over the span of four lectures, we will look at the story behind the Corinthian church and try to get a sense of who these people were and why Paul needed to correct them the way that he did. We will look at:

  • The City of Corinth
  • The Corinthian Church
  • 1 Corinthians
  • The Fallout and 2 Corinthians

Each topic is designed to provide clarity and enhance your understanding, accompanied by an article or chapter and a short quiz to reinforce your learning.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a better understanding of the story behind the Corinthian letters.
  2. Identify connections between well-known passages and their historical context.
  3. Distinguish clearer connections between the two letters.
  4. Apply more insightful context when teaching and preaching from Corinthians.

Topic 1: The City of Corinth

In this topic, you’ll explore the economic history of Corinth and its role as a thriving trade hub where wealth and transience intersected. Dive into how Paul spread the Gospel in this unique environment, overcoming opposition to plant several house churches and lay the foundation for the early Christian church.

Topic 2: The Corinthian Church

Dive into Pauls strategy to writing to the church in Corinth, how he addressed concerns in response to ongoing issues. In this topic, you will explore how you can draw parallels for churches today. Using scripture and bringing the church congregation together in unity under God. 

Topic 3: 1 Corinthians

In the final lecture, you will uncover if Pauls letter’s impact and evaluate its effectiveness in resolving the church’s struggles.

Topic 4: The Fallout and 2 Corinthians

As you explore Pauls leadership and experiences within Corinth, you will reflect on how his patience and pastoral care attributed to a strong ministry for the gospel of Jesus. 

Summary

In this short course, we have covered four topics that unpack the story behind the Corinthian letters. These were:

  • The City of Corinth
  • The Corinthian Church
  • 1 Corinthians
  • The Fallout and 2 Corinthians

The Corinthian letters are at the same time intensely practical and theologically profound. More importantly, they have so much to offer the church today. It is our hope that this course has revealed them to you in a whole new light. Both in your understanding of them, and especially in your application.

About Your Lecturer
AWhite_WEB
Lecturer
Adam White

Adam began his working career as a spray painter and from there moved into ministry as a youth pastor, then an associate pastor at Riverlands Christian Church in Penrith. At the age of 25, he felt called to study theology at Southern Cross College (now AC); this continued through an honours degree up to a Doctorate of Ancient History at Macquarie University. Adam is now a senior lecturer in New Testament, with particular focus on Paul and his letters, as well as Graeco-Roman culture more broadly. He is also an ordained minister in the ACC and preaches in churches around the country. His passion is to help bring the Bible to life for Christians everywhere. Adam is a member of the Biblical Studies research cluster.

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