Life of Paul Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Mural Worthey (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

<p>wmworthey@actx.edu</p> <p>amarillobiblechair@gmail.com</p>

Phone

<p>Office:&nbsp; 806-877-2489</p>

Office Location

<p>Amarillo Bible Chair, 2501 S Jackson Street&nbsp;</p> <p>Byrd Business Building, rm 316</p>

Office Hours

Contact me in AC Connect or by phone for an appointment.

Office:  806-877-2489

Cell: 804-852-0515

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

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Course

RELG-2302-001 Life of Paul

Prerequisites

Course Description

The life of the apostle Paul drawn from the book of Acts and his epistles along with an exposition of his teachings as related to contemporary living.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Your Personal Bible, Bruce M. Metzger, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free, 1977. ISBN: 978-0802847782; AND this syllabus.

Supplies

Your textbooks, syllabus, a dictionary, pens or pencils, notebook paper or a notebook, and access to a computer to complete assignments and review class materials. Access to library materials is also necessary for the successful completion of this course.  

Student Performance

ACCESSING AC Connect:

Online communication will be achieved between students and the professor by using AC Connect.  It is the student's responsibility to check for email messages and announcements regarding this class by clicking on AC Connect at the top of the Amarillo College home page, and then clicking on the icon identifying this class.  You will be able to communicate with both your classmates and professor, check your syllabus and reviews for the examinations, and find your grades posted there.

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS: We will identify and describe the world of first century Judaism in the context of its life in the Roman Empire.  We will also seek to understand how “Christianity” was born and blossomed in both those environments.  In so doing, we will also survey the historical and literary contexts of each “book” written by Paul, and how they compare to both each other and other documents preserved from that same historical period.  The successful student will demonstrate his/her knowledge of the contents and background of the New Testament by obtaining a minimum of at least 70% competency in the stated student learning outcomes.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES):

  1. To understand the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that Biblical scholars and comparative religionists use to investigate and understand the New Testament.
  2. To effectively summarize the contents of the book of Acts, and each of the letters Paul wrote.
  3. To be able to list in canonical sequence the letters of Paul without the aid of supporting material.
  4. To identify and effectively analyze the origins, and the historical, social, and cultural emphasis of each New Testament document that we will cover in this class.
  5. To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the understanding and explanation of the historical evidence for, and principle teachings of, Paul’s writings.
  6. To identify specific geographic sites that Paul traveled to and experienced in his life time.
  7. To develop an awareness of the expansion of Christianity in the first century and the key problems that the movement faced, while at the same time discussing Paul handled each of those problems.
  8. To identify and understand differences and commonalities within the diverse cultures the first century C.E. and today, and how the Pauline scriptures may be valuable in both.

SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RELIGION 2302:

  1. Attendance.  Your presence in lecture classes is necessary in order to pass this course.  If you cannot be present online due to jobs or other responsibilities, you should enroll in a web only online course if it is offered.  Examples of absences which may be excused are illness, official Amarillo College business, or personal emergencies.  Communication with the instructor is necessary if you cannot attend. It is your responsibility to contact the instructor by email on AC Connect. Unexcused absences may be made up by doing extra work as approved by your instructor.
  2. Reading.  A careful reading of all the assigned sections of the textbook and all informational sheets given to you in class or online.
  3. Grading.  Your final grade will be comprised of weekly quizzes and the final examination.
  4. Participation.  Active participation in our classroom discussions. Any doctrinal point-of-view may be expressed if questioned or relevant, but you must speak respectfully to and of your fellow students and the instructor during all class discussions. A failure to treat the views of your classmates and instructor with respect will adversely result in the reduction of this part of your grade. In the same way, your instructor will treat your points-of-view with respect.

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

ACADEMIC HONESTY:

All matters of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, collusion, and fabrication and cheating will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question.  All violations will be reported to the proper college authorities for review.

Grading Criteria

COURSE GRADE BREAKDOWN:                                 COURSE GRADING SCALE:                 

            Quizzes                             70%                              90-100               A

            Final Examination              30%                             80-89                 B

                                                     100%                             70-79                 C      

                                                                                           60-69                 D

                                                                                    0-59                  F

Attendance

Calendar

Outline for Life of Paul, RELG 2302

(Fall 2, 2023, Amarillo College)

 

Week 1: Oct. 23-26

A. Introduction to the study of Paul

B. Video by John Young playing Paul titled, "I am Paul."

C. Saul of Tarsus; his pedigree: Jewish, Roman, Christian

  1. Philippians 3:4-8
  2. 2 Cor. 11:22-30
  3. Acts 21:39-22:1-5
  4. Acts 26:1-12
  5. Acts 7:54-60; 8:1

D.  See F. F. Bruce, Apostle of the Heart Set Free, 1977, 1996, “Introduction,” pages 15-21.

E. Within the NT, we have primary sources of Paul’s own writings; (13 without counting Hebrews) and secondary source in Acts.

F. See attached comments by writers in study of Romans.

 

Week 2: Oct. 30 - Nov. 2

A. Experiences of Paul that changed his life

  1. His conversion, Acts 9:1-31
  2. After his conversion in Arabia, Gal. 1:11-24
  3. Taken up to third heaven, 2 Cor. 12:1-12

B. Spoken messages of Paul

  1. To Ephesian elders, Acts 20:16-38
  2. To those at Mars Hill, Acts 17:16-34
  3. Before crowd in Jerusalem, Acts 21:17-23:35
  4. Before Roman rulers, Acts 23:35 to chapter 26

 

Week 3: Nov. 6-9

A. Others’ view of Paul. Recall charge against Paul concerning the Law.

B. See F. F. Bruce, pages 19-21, about Marcion and Tertullian.

C. What should be a Christian’s view of the Old Testament??

D. See Bruce, "What the Law Could Not Do," pages 188-202.

E. Two major sources for information about Saul/Paul.

  1. Information gleaned from Acts and his own letters.
  2. In addition to above references in Acts, note Acts 15 where Paul is a central figure in the dispute over circumcision of the Gentiles.
  3. All three missionary journeys of Paul and his companions began at Antioch. This is an important church for the outreach to Gentiles.
  4. The Missionary Journeys led by Paul.

               a)  1st mission: Acts 13f

               b) 2nd mission: Acts 15:36 to 18:22

               c) 3rd mission: Acts 18:23 to 21:14

     5.  Importance of Jerusalem Conference in Acts 15. Read Bruce,  pgs. 148-159.

     6.  Paul's arrest in Jerusalem; imprisoned in Caesarea (Acts 21-26)

     7.  Paul's voyage to Rome and imprisonment (Acts 27-28)

 

Week 4: Nov. 13-16

A.During Paul’s ministry, spanning approximately 30 years, he encountered oppositions and several significant charges against him. See my paper, “Charges Against Paul,” Nov. 8, 2015.

  1. “You are mad!” (Acts 26:22-24)
  2. “Speech contemptible and bodily presence weak” (2 Cor. 10:9-10)
  3. “You are not a real apostle” (2 Cor. 11:5-7)
  4. “Paul is opposed to the Law” (Acts 15:1-2, 21:20-21)
  5. “Paul was opposed to women” (1 Cor. 14:34-35)
  6. “Gentile mission & justification by faith” (What St. Paul Really Said, N. T. Wright, 1977.)
  7. “Paul was a Roman Spy” (Operation Mission: St. Paul Intelligence and the Birth of Christianity, 2008.) See my summary of the book, “Was Paul a Roman Spy?” Gospel Advocate article.

 

Week 5: Nov. 20-22 (Thanksgiving, 11/23)

A. The character of Paul from 3 important statements. See my paper on these dated April and May 2014.

  1. “I am” statements
  2. “I know” statements
  3. “I do” statements

 

Week 6: Nov. 27-30

A. They are actual letters, not formal literary pieces as we sometimes think of them (e.g., a “letter to the editor,” or Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”)

B. They have the same form as other Hellenistic letters and similar to ours. Others are often associated with Paul in his letters (like Silas, Timothy, Tertius)

C. Thirteen letters in the NT bear Paul’s name or claim him as the author.

  1. Romans, Galatians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Philemon, and 1 Thessalonians are undisputed.
  2. Ephesians, Colossians, 1 &2 Timothy, Titus, 2 Thessalonians are disputed letters.
  3. Paul’s letter span about 15 years (48-49 to 64-67 AD)
  4. Some of his letters have not survived. One is referred to as “the previous letter”, 1 Cor. 5:9. Another is known as “the sorrowful letter”, 2 Cor. 2:3-4, 7:8-12.
  5. Four classifications of Paul’s letters.

                a) Early: Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians

                b) Major: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians

                c) Prison: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon

                d) Pastoral: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

D. See Paul and FIrst-Century Letter Writing, E Randolph RIchards, 2004.

  1. Delves into the history and mechanics of writing and sending letters.
  2. Interesting cost analysis of NT letters.
  3. Where and how did Paul write them; what materials were used.

Week 7: Dec. 4-7

A. Major themes found in Paul’s letters.

  1. Law and gospel (Rom. 6:15, Gal. 2:17-21, Gal. 3:10-29)
  2. The Trinity (Eph. 1:3-14, Phil. 2:5-11, Col. 1:15-21, Rom. 8:3)
  3. Nature of man (Rom. 1-3, Eph. 2:1-5, Rom. 6, 7)
  4. Justification and atonement (1 Cor. 1:18-25, Rom. 3:21-26)
  5. First and last Adam (Rom. 5:12-19, 1 Cor. 15:35-58)
  6. The Church (1 Tim. 2-3, note 3:15); spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-14)
  7. Eschatology (already and not yet, intermediate state); 2 Cor. 5:1-10, 2 Thess. 2:1-12, 1 Cor. 15, 1 Thess. 4:13f)

B. Common Assessment paper assignment: What is the nature of man according to Paul? (300-325 words, divided into paragraphs not just one, proper grammar and transitions of thought, good thesis statement.)

 

Week 8: Dec. 11-14

A. Article, “Why I Love Paul,” John Piper, 2016.

B. Conclusions to study of Paul

C. Final Exam

 

      

Additional Information

TUTORING POLICY:

If a student scores below 75% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work. Free tutoring is available at Ware Tutoring Center, located at Ware Student Commons 1st Floor, 806-371-5458.

Syllabus Created on:

10/09/23 10:23 AM

Last Edited on:

10/09/23 12:20 PM