Corinthian Letters and Outcomes for the M.Div. and MACM

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1 1 Syllabus 5250 Corinthian Letters [online] CRN Harding School of Theology Prof. Richard E. Oster, Jr. Fall Semester PURPOSE The purpose of this course is to give students a general knowledge of the content of Paul s Corinthian Letters, to involve students in the exegesis of selected texts of these letters, and to highlight important theological and ministerial/pastoral issues. Students are responsible for all the material given in the textbooks, reserve readings, lectures, and online materials. The weekly online component will typically focus on the connection between texts/themes/theology of the Corinthian letters and modern problems and issues in the Church of Jesus Christ. Corinthian Letters and Outcomes for the M.Div. and MACM 1 Demonstrate knowledge of the basic content of the English Bible. Effective ministers need to be well versed in the scripture as the source of our knowledge of God and his will for humanity. 2 Demonstrate exegetical skills in the interpretation of scripture. This will equip ministers to understand God and his will at the highest level both for personal spiritual formation and for teaching others. 3 Exhibit an understanding of the primary elements of Christian theology. Ministers need to refine their own understanding of the Christian faith, to be able to respond to contemporary proposals in Christian theology (both academic and popular), and to be able to teach others the central elements of the faith. 4 Be able to communicate effectively in written and oral forms. Such public communication serves as a primary way a minister contributes to the spiritual formation of the congregation and to the cross-cultural proclamation of the gospel.

2 2 Honor Code Cheating in all its forms is inconsistent with Christian faith and practice and will result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from the class with a failing grade. Textbooks Textbooks can now be ordered through Amazon. Please access Amazon by clicking the Textbook link which can be viewed on the navigation bar on any page of the HST website. Check the book list provided under the textbook service tab for correct ISBN s and editions to insure correct ordering. Once you have entered Amazon through the HST link, you will only need to enter the ISBN to order your books. By going through our website, HST will receive some credit from the order. Thanks for your support. Library resources If you have not taken Advanced Theological Research (5990) or took it more than a year ago, go to the HST Web site ( for information concerning library services to students. Under the library tab you will find a link to and instructions for searching the HST online catalog (called Quest). There are also instructions for using the following databases available through the library: OCLC FirstSearch, EBSCOhost, Infotrac, and Religious and Theological Abstracts. Contact the library for passwords to these databases. Also available are the research guides distributed in course These annotated bibliographies list basic tools you will find helpful in your research. Students with disabilities It is the policy of Harding University to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Any student with a disability who needs accommodation should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities are also encouraged to contact Steve McLeod, Associate Dean, at This course adheres to university guidelines regarding workload requirements per credit hour. TEXTBOOKS Garland, David E. 2 Corinthians. New American Commentary, vol. 23, Hays, Richard B. First Corinthians. John Knox Press, 1997 Nash, Robert Scott. 1 Corinthians. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary, Witherington III, Ben. Conflict & Community in Corinth. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians. Eerdmans, 1995.

3 3 The student is expected to study the individual commentaries as the weekly assignments are moving through the chapters of 1 and 2 Corinthians. By the end of 1 Corinthians the student is expected to have completed all of Hays, First Corinthians, Nash, 1 Corinthians, and the first part of Witherington, Conflict & Community in Corinth. By the end of 2 Corinthians the student is expected to have completed all of Garland, 2 Corinthians and the second half of Witherington, Conflict & Community in Corinth. IMPORTANT DATES August 06 August 13 Oct Nov. 12 Nov Dec Received, read, and reviewed syllabus Sign into Canvas LMS [Learning Management System]; send me an letting me know you have successfully entered the Canvas LMS and giving me an active phone number that I can use to reach you during the semester in case I need to contact you outside of Canvas; Nota Bene-for all communication within this course you must use your Harding/HST address [= no google, Yahoo, etc addresses]. Once you have entered Canvas and following August 06 you will discover additional documents that pertain to the course, but are not in the syllabus itself [e.g., documents pertaining to proctors, course etiquette, grading rubric for online discussions, term paper, etc, collaborative learning, and critical thinking]. Beginning of Fall semester 2012; you will begin receiving assignments. During this course, Day 01 of the week is Mondays, Day 03 is Wednesdays, Day 07 is Sundays, etc. Midterm Exam Week [NO online assignments] Deadline for term papers! Thanksgiving Break [NO online assignments] Final Exam Week [NO online assignments] SCHEDULE OF READING AND STUDY Aug Cor. 1-4 Aug Cor. 5-6 Aug Cor. 7

4 4 Sept Cor Sept Cor. 11:2-16 Sept Cor. 11:17-34 Sept Cor Oct Cor Oct Cor. 1:1-2:13 Oct. 15 Midterm Exam Oct Cor. 2:14-7:16 Oct Cor. 8-9 Nov Cor. 10:1-11:15 Nov Cor. 11:16-12:21 Deadline for term papers! Nov. 19 Thanksgiving Break Nov Cor. 13:1-14 Dec. 03 Final Exam GRADING The student's grade for the course will be calculated on the following basis: midterm examination 25% final examination 25% online essays 25% course research paper 25% The midterm exam will cover all the commentaries, lectures, notes, and readings over 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 Cor. 2:13. The midterm exam will be given on the week of Oct. 15, It will consist of essay questions as well as objective questions, e.g., T/F; fill in the blank; matching.

5 5 The final exam will cover all the commentaries, lectures, notes, and readings over 2 Cor. 2:14-13:14. The exam will be administered during the regular exam week on December 03, It will consist of essay questions as well as objective questions, e.g., T/F; fill in the blank; matching. Online essays are a crucial part of your grade and an indispensible component of online learning. Whether this is your first online course or not, let me remind you that frequent interaction with your online community in Corinthian Letters is essential. At the beginning of each week when you receive your assignment(s), I will give you guidance about the minimal frequency with which I expect you to interact with the assignments and with your classmates. I assure that these assignments are not designed as busy work, but should reflect your best research, study, thinking, and communication skills. The ministerial value of this course for yourself and your online colleagues is diminished each time you give less than your best. The research paper [20-25 pages] is a crucial part of the learning experience of this course. Your suggested topic for this paper must be submitted to me no later than the third class week. This is for your protection; it would be a shame if you did a topic that was inappropriate for this course! Typically these papers deal with a section of verses exegetically or with a theme in one of the epistles to Corinth. All I need is a 200 word Prospectus indicating the title, subject matter and how you plan to proceed with your research. Your typed research paper is due no later than Nov. 12th, 2012; I want a hard copy and an electronic copy sent to my address by this date. Late papers receive penalties. The format of this paper must follow the Turabian Style Manual+ supplement, with footnotes and not endnotes! REQUIRED RESERVE READINGS 1 CORINTHIANS Introductory Issues and Questions Murphy-O Connor, Jerome. Corinth. In The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 1992, Vol. 1: Assumptions about the Corinthian congregation/christianity Barclay, John M. G. Thessalonica and Corinth: Social Contrasts in Pauline Christianity, Chapter 14, in Christianity at Corinth. The Quest for the Pauline Church. Eds. Edward Adams and David G. Horrell [2004], pp Horsley, Richard A. 1 Corinthians: A Case Study of Paul s Assembly as an Alternative Society, Chapter 18, in in Christianity at Corinth. The Quest for the Pauline Church. Eds. Edward Adams and David G. Horrell [2004], pp

6 6 Chapters 1-4 Schnabel, Eckhard J. Paul the Missionary, Realities, Strategies, and Methods, [2008], pp Wilson, S. G., Voluntary Associations: An Overview, In Voluntary Associations in the Graeco-Roman World, eds. John S. Kloppenborg and Stephen G. Wilson, New York: Routledge, Fitzgerald, John T. Affliction Lists, In Dictionary of New Testament Background. Eds. Evans and Porter. IVP, 2000, pp Chapters 5-6 Smith, Mark D. Ancient Bisexuality and the Interpretation of Romans 1: Journal of the American Academy of Religion. 64 (1996): Chapter 7 Heth, William A. Jesus on Divorce: How my Mind has Changed. The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6.1 (Spring 2002):4-29. Oster, Richard E., Use, Misuse and Neglect of Archaeological Evidence in Some Modern Works on 1 Corinthians. Zeitschrift für die Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft 83 (1992): Chapters 8-10 Borgen, Peder. " 'Yes,' 'No,' 'How Far?'" The Participation of Jews and Christians in Pagan Clubs." In Paul in His Hellenistic Context. Ed. T. Engberg-Pedersen. Fortress Press, 1995, pp Chapter 11 11:2-16 Fitzmyer, Joseph. Kephale in 1 Corinthians 11:3. Interpretation XLVII (1993): Oster, Richard E. When Men Wore Veils to Worship: Historical Context of I Cor. 11:4. New Testament Studies 34 (1988): Schreiner, Thomas R. William J. Webb's Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: A Review Article. Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 6.1 (Spring 2002):46-64.

7 7 11:17-34 Lampe, Peter. The Corinthian Eucharistic Dinner Party: Exegesis of a Cultural Context (1 Cor. 11:17-34). Affirmation 4 (1991):1-15. Smith, Dennis E. From Symposia to Eucharist. The Banquet in the early Christian World. [2003] chapter 2, only pages on The Custom of Reclining + line drawings, pp and chapter 5, The Club Banquet, pp Chapter 12 Oster, 1 Corinthians, College Press NIV Commentary, pages on 1 Cor. Chapters 12. Chapter 13 Compton, R. Bruce. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 and the Cessation of Miraculous Gifts. Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal 9 (2004): Oster, 1 Corinthians, College Press NIV Commentary, pages on 1 Cor. Chapters 13 Chapter 14 Carson, Donald A. The Purpose of Signs and Wonders in the New Testament. In Power Religion. The Selling Out of the Evangelical Church. chapter 4. Martin, Dale. The Corinthian Body, [1995], part 1, chapter 4, pp Oster, 1 Corinthians, College Press NIV Commentary, pages on 1 Cor. Chapters 14 Chapter Wright, N. T. Surprised by Hope. Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. HarperOne, 2008, pp Introductory Issues and Questions 2 CORINTHIANS Barnett, Paul. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament [1997] pp

8 8 Sampley, J. Paul. Introduction in The Second Letter to the Corinthians, Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections, The New Interpreter s Bible, vol. XI, pp Chapters 1-2 Hafemann, Scott J. Suffering and Ministry in the Spirit, Paul s Defense of His Ministry in II Corinthians 2:14-3:3. [2000, Paternoster Press], chapter 4, pp Chapters 3-13 Follow the appropriate materials in the two commentaries by Garland and Witherington III.