Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker and the Course
• Our Scripture Is Somebody Else’s Mail

Unit 1: Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

• Introducing Paul the Persecutor
• Introducing Paul the Preacher
• Introduction to the Galatian Church
• Gospel of the Rivals
• Paul’s Goal for His Converts
• Who Are You Going to Trust?
• Life in the Spirit

Unit 2: The Thessalonian Letters

• The Situation in Thessalonica
• Timothy’s Visit
• Insulating the Converts from Social Shame
• Affirming the Christian’s Honor
• Answering the Converts’ Questions
• Authorship of 2 Thessalonians
• Paul’s Goals in 2 Thessalonians
• Paul and the Thessalonians: Continued Ministry and Reflections

Unit 3: The Corinthian Letters

• The City of Corinth
• The History of Paul’s Relationship with the Corinthians
• Second Corinthians: One Letter or Many?
• Pastoral Issues of 1 Corinthians: Part 1
• Pastoral Issues of 1 Corinthians: Part 2
• Paul’s Reflections on Ministry
• Paul on Stewardship
• Did 2 Corinthians Work?

Unit 4: The Letter to the Romans

• Introducing Paul’s Letter to the Romans
• Romans 1–8 as Pastoral Word
• Romans 9–15 as Pastoral Word
• Paul’s Personal Goals for Romans
• Suggestions for Further Exploration

Unit 5: Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians

• The Story behind Philemon
• Paul’s Goals for Philemon
• Paul’s Strategy in Philemon
• The Problem in Colossae
• Paul’s Goals for Colossians
• Authorship of Colossians
• Colossians as an Authentic Pauline Letter
• Authorship of Ephesians
• Situation behind Ephesians
• Central Theme of Ephesians
• Contributions of Colossians and Ephesians

Unit 6: The Letter to the Philippians

• Paul’s Relationship with the Philippians
• Paul’s Location in Philippians
• One Letter or Several?
• The Reason for Philippians
• Paul’s Strategy in Philippians

Unit 7: Letters to Paul’s Delegates: Timothy and Titus

• The Implied Setting of the Pastoral Letters
• The Question of Authenticity: Part 1
• The Question of Authenticity: Part 2
• The Question of Authenticity: Part 3
• The Question of Authenticity: Part 4
• Principal Emphases of the Pastoral Epistles: Part 1
• Principal Emphases of the Pastoral Epistles: Part 2
• Ongoing Challenge of the Pastorals

Unit 8: The Letter “to the Hebrews”

• Introduction to Hebrews and Its Audience
• Addressees’ Background and Presenting Challenges
• Who Wrote Hebrews?
• The Pastoral Strategy of Hebrews
• Despising Shame: Exemplars of the Faith
• Reinterpreting Experiences of Disgrace
• Nurturing a Supportive Faith Community
• Responding to Divine Grace with Appropriate Gratitude: Part 1
• Responding to Divine Grace with Appropriate Gratitude: Part 2
• Contributions of Hebrews to Early Christianity

Unit 9: The Epistle of James

• Introduction to James
• James as Wisdom Literature
• James and Paul
• Major Emphases of James: Part 1
• Major Emphases of James: Part 2

Unit 10: The First Letter of Peter

• The Pastoral Challenge of 1 Peter
• Who Wrote 1 Peter and When?
• Peter’s Pastoral Response and Rhetorical Strategy
• Reinterpreting Experiences of Suffering
• Redefining the “Real” Challenge
• Shaping Relationships with Outsiders and Insiders

Unit 11: Jude and 2 Peter

• Introducing Jude and 2 Peter
• The Epistle of Jude and Its Setting
• Pastoral Challenge and Authorship of 2 Peter
• Grace and Response in 2 Peter
• Censuring and Answering the Opponents
• Contributions of Jude and 2 Peter

Unit 12: The Johannine Letters

• Introducing the Johannine Letters
• Authorship and Genre
• Believing Means Loving
• Sin and Righteousness

Unit 13: The Revelation of John

• The Genres of Revelation
• Who Wrote Revelation?
• The Date of Revelation
• The Situation of the Addressees: Part 1
• The Situation of the Addressees: Part 2
• The Public Story of Rome
• The Public Image of the Emperors
• John’s Unveiling
• John’s Goals
• Keeping the Words of This Prophecy

Conclusion

• Living the Challenge of the New Testament