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BIBL 594 - Pauline Pneumatology

Teacher Dr. WilliamW. Simmons
Semester Spring Duration 8 Weeks
Frequency Every three years
Credits 5 ECTS Workload 150 Hours
Module format Intensive
Applicability An intensive study of selective topics in biblical studies, including research and critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources. This cannot be used as a substitute for core classes.
Course structure See module and courses
Contact time 40 Hours Self-Study 110 Hours
Participation requirement See access to the program
Evaluation
Evaluation Hours Weight
Phase 1 TBA 30%
Writings and Assignments
 TBA 30%
Phase 2 40 45%
Participation in Discussion
 TBA 5%
Exams TBA 40%
Phase 3 TBA 25%
Research Paper
 TBA 25%
Total 150 100%
Content of the Module This course seeks to examine Paul’s understanding of the Holy Spirit from an exegetical, theological and historical perspective. The intention of the course is to highlight the unique aspects of Paul’s pneumatology. Methodologically, the course will strive to integrate theory (theology) with praxis (discipleship).  
Learning Objectives

A. General Learning Objectives

This course seeks to:

  • Discuss the eschatological significance of the Spirit in the context of Second Temple Judaism and the Early Church
  • Compare and contrast the end-time vision of Judaism and that of the Early Church
  • Examine the unique aspects of Pauline pneumatology in the New Testament
  • Apply the theological and hermeneutical significance of the Spirit to life in the church today


B. Specific Learning Objectives

As a result of the activities and study in this course, students should be able to:

  • Describe the importance of the Spirit for understanding the eschatology of Second Temple Judaism and that of the Early Church
  • Explain the critical similarities and differences that exist between the end-time vision of Judaism and that of the Early Church
  • Discuss the unique contributions of Pauline pneumatology in the New Testament
  • Explore ways in which the theological and hermeneutical significance of Paul’s pneumatology might apply to the church today
Outline
  • Introduction: Why a Pauline pneumatology?
  • Religious and Historical Contextualization
  • Jewish Apocalyptic and the “Two Ages”
  • The Incarnation and Gift of the Spirit: Two Major Apocalyptic Events
  • The “Already…Not Yet”
  • Eschatology and Ethics
  • The Holy Spirit and the New Covenant
  • The Holy Spirit and the New Community
  • Realized Eschatology and Pauline Pneumatology: A Word Study
  • Paul’s Pneumatology in Galatians: A Test Case
  • Special Topic: The Spirit at War
Examination See Evaluation
Core Literature

Textbooks:

Danker, Frederick William (rev. and ed.).  A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other Early Christian Literature.  3rd edition.  Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 2000. 


Dunn, James D. G.  The Theology of Paul the Apostle.  Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998. 


Fatehi, Mehrdad.  The Spirit’s Relation to the Risen Lord in Paul: An Examination of Its Christological Implications.  Tübingen, Germany: Mohr Siebeck, 2000. 

Fee, Gordon D.  Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God.  Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1996. 


Gaffin Jr., Richard B.  “‘Life-Giving Spirit’: Probing the Center of Paul’s Pneumatology.”  Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 41, no. 4 (Dec 1998): 573–589. 


Grimm, Carl Ludwig Wilbald.  Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, being Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti.  Translated by Joseph Henry Thayer.  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1963. 


Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar. 3rd edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009


Pereyra, Roberto.  “The Holy Spirit in the Letters of Paul.”  Davar Logos 13, no. 2 (Sep 2014): 5–24. Rabens, Volker.  The Holy Spirit and Ethics in Paul: Transformation and Empowering for Religious-Ethical Life.  2nd edition.  Tübingen, Germany: Mohr Siebeck, 2013. 


Wedderburn, Alexander J. M.  “Pauline Pneumatology and Pauline Theology.”  In The Holy Spirit and Christian Origins: Essays in Honor of James D. G. Dunn.  Edited by Stephen C. Barton, Bruce W. Longenecker, and Graham N. Stanton.  Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004.
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