Course Catalogue 2026-2027

The course will introduce students to the text of 1 Corinthians and to issues surrounding its interpretation. These will include exploration of the social context of the Corinthian church and the nature of the divisions within it, the problems of communal behavior and belief to which Paul responds, and the theological perspectives and convictions that shape his instructions and advice. Particular attention will be paid (i) to a diverse range of scholarly approaches to interpreting 1 Corinthians, (ii) to questions concerning the contemporary application of 1 Corinthians, and, above all, (iii) to questions of ecclesial and social identity and ethics. The nature of the church, its common life, and its relationship with Greco-Roman society will provide the principal focus of the class. This course aims to assist students in apprehending the distinctive contribution of 1 Corinthians to reflection upon the nature of the Christian church and the relevance of 1 Corinthians in contemporary contexts.

The course will introduce students to the text of 1 Corinthians and to issues surrounding its interpretation. These will include exploration of the social context of the Corinthian church and the nature of the divisions within it, the problems of communal behavior and belief to which Paul responds, and the theological perspectives and convictions that shape his instructions and advice. Particular attention will be paid (i) to a diverse range of scholarly approaches to interpreting 1 Corinthians, (ii) to questions concerning the contemporary application of 1 Corinthians, and, above all, (iii) to questions of ecclesial and social identity and ethics. The nature of the church, its common life, and its relationship with Greco-Roman society will provide the principal focus of the class. This course aims to assist students in apprehending the distinctive contribution of 1 Corinthians to reflection upon the nature of the Christian church and the relevance of 1 Corinthians in contemporary contexts.

This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology.

This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology.

This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology.

This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology.

This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology. Evaluation: seminar presentations and participation and written work.

An introduction to Paul's ethical thinking through looking at the context in which he wrote and the specific things he said. Reading ancient ethical perspectives and studying the ethical views in Paul. Lectures and seminar discussions.  Evaluation: seminar presentations and final assignment (paper, or alternative).

 This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology. Evaluation: seminar presentations and participation and written work.

This seminar course will provide an introduction to Paul's ethical thinking in the context of the theological fabric of his thought. It will provide an opportunity to read some of the great commentators on Paul's ethics and to discuss the interrelationship between Paul's ethics and his theology. Evaluation: seminar presentations and participation and written work.

Throughout Christian history Paul's letters have been crucial texts for those attempting to answer the question 'What is the gospel'? This class explores the Pauline interpretation of sixteenth century Protestant Reformers, whose work forms one of the most influential episodes in that history of reception. It considers the impact upon them of earlier interpreters, and the content of their own Pauline interpretation. It also considers their influence upon subsequent eras as those who contributed to the development of new traditions of Pauline interpretation. In order for students to undertake this exploration in a methodologically sophisticated manner, the course also examines reception theory and its potential contribution to New Testament interpretation. Students will assess what use we should make today of resources drawn from previous interpretations, especially those of the Reformers, in our own attempts to interpret Pauline theology. Many recent interpreters understand their positions as standing in direct opposition to trajectories of interpretation established by the Reformers. Does this render Reformation interpretations redundant or are contemporary interpreters neglecting an important resource?

The course will study the passion narratives of the synoptic gospels, John and the extra-canonical gospels. It will examine the question of a premarkan passion narrative, compositional theories and the influence of the Old Testament on the traditions of the passion and death of Jesus.