This topic studies the letters of the apostle Paul, one of the most important collections of early Christian writings in the New Testament. Through employing different exegetical methods and comparing the letters attributed to Paul (authentic and pseudonymous) students will gain an appreciation of the different contexts in which and to which Paul addressed his gospel and how Paul was subsequently interpreted. Key issues related to the expansion of Christianity into new cultures, the struggle to find a stable community identity and existence amidst a hostile environment and the demands of ethnic diversity will be investigated. Implications for contemporary missional practice arising from new interpretations of Paul's thought will also be addressed.
This topic aims to:
Timetable details for 2021 are no longer published.