MJ521: Paul, Judaism, and the Jewish People (4 units)                                                                             

David J. Rudolph, Adjunct Instructor in Judaic Studies                                                                                                                              

Summer 2007 Pasadena

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

In contrast to past interpreters, many contemporary scholars are seeing Paul as an observant Jew captivated by the vision of the crucified and risen Messiah and passionately committed to bringing non-Jews to the knowledge of him.  The present course will summarize this historical development in Pauline scholarship and will examine the letters attributed to Paul in order to understand Paul’s Judaism and his relationship to his own people.  The course will also inquire into the role his teaching should play in 21st century Messianic Jewish theology, missiology and halakhah.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1.  The course will survey twenty Pauline and Lukan texts that are frequently cited as evidence that Paul was no longer Torah-observant (e.g. 1 Cor 9:19-23; Gal 1:13-14; 2:14; 3:28; 5:6; 6:15; Phil 3:8). The student will critically analyze these texts and learn to synthesize alternative interpretations that are often overlooked.
2.   Exposure to the biblical and theological case for viewing Paul’s Jewishness in light of covenantal, cultural and missiological concerns
3.   Awareness of the contemporary practical and specifically ecclesiological implications of the Messianic Jewish view of Paul

COURSE FORMAT: This one-week intensive course will meet for 8 hours daily and will include lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:  If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

1.  Barclay, John M. G. ‘“Neither Jew Nor Greek”: Multiculturalism and the New Perspective on Paul.’ Pages 197-214 in Ethnicity in the Bible. Edited by Mark G. Brett. Leiden: Brill, 1996.
2.  Campbell, William S. Paul and the Creation of Christian Identity. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 2006.
3.  Das, Andrew. Paul and the Jews. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2003.
4.  Ehrensberger, Kathy. ‘“That We May Be Mutually Encouraged” (Rom 1:12).’ Pages 177-94 in That We May Be Mutually Encouraged: Feminism and the New Perspective in Pauline Studies. New York: T & T Clark, 2004.
5.  Eisenbaum, Pamela. ‘Is Paul the Father of Misogyny and Antisemitism?’ Cross Currents 50:4 (2000-01): 506-24.
6.  Joseph, M. J. ‘A Leap into the “Slavery of Paul” from an Indian Angle.’ The Indian Journal of Theology 26:2 (April-June 1977): 73-85.
7.  Kim, Seyoon. ‘Imitatio Christi (1 Corinthians 11:1): How Paul Imitates Jesus Christ in Dealing with Idol Food (1 Corinthians 8–10)’. Bulletin for Biblical Research 13:2 (2003): 193-226.
8.  Nanos, Mark D. The Mystery of Romans: The Jewish Context of Paul’s Letter. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.
9.  Sanders, E. P. Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1983 (this classic includes the essay ‘Paul as Apostle of Christ and Member of Israel’).

RECOMMENDED READING:

1.  Bell, Richard H. The Irrevocable Call of God: An Inquiry into Paul’s Theology of Israel. WUNT 184. Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 2005.
2.  Boyarin, Daniel. A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994.
3.  Campbell, William S. Paul’s Gospel in an Intercultural Context. Studies in the Intercultural History of Christianity 69. New York: Peter Lang, 1992.
4.  Dunn, James D. G. The New Perspective on Paul: Collected Essays. Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 2005.
5.  Hagner, Donald. ‘Paul as a Jewish Believer—according to his letters,’ in Jewish Believers in Jesus: The Early Centuries. Vol. 1. Ed. Oskar Skarsaune. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2006.
6.  Tomson, Peter J. Paul and the Jewish Law: Halakha in the Letters of the Apostle to the Gentiles. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1.  The student will read all of the required texts.
2.  Two 3500 word papers (double-spaced, 12 pt. font) will be due at the end of the quarter. Each paper should focus on one of the twenty texts discussed in the course, reflect critical engagement and analysis of the issues, draw on at least 15 scholarly references, in addition to class notes, and should be well footnoted.
3.  Th.M. students will read an additional 300-500 pages from the Recommended Reading list.

FINAL EXAM: None.

PREREQUISITES: None. This course is offered through a special partnership agreement with MJTI.  The budgetary agreement necessitates that anyone who wishes to audit this course must register and pay audit fees through Messianic Jewish Theological Institute. Contact MJTI via email at < mjtiorga@mjti.org>

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  Elective.

 

Last Date Edited: March 2007