RELS 118 Introduction to the New Testament Pauls Letter to the Romans February 8, 2012 Itinerary Reminder: first

irst quiz a week from today Questions about the Ehrman reading, last class? Setting the Stage: Romans Discussion

Class Goals & Objectives Grasp the historical occasion of Pauls letter to the Romans Understand the primary themes of the letter and the main issues Paul addresses throughout Begin to draw a map of what we can gather about Pauls particular theology Reflection: Introduction to Paul Some of the main ideas from last class:
Spoon with Paul as an Athlete (silver), ca. 350 CE, Syria (Cleveland Museum of Art)

There are great differences between what Paul tells us about himself in his letters and how he is portrayed in outside literature (e.g., Acts, pseudepigraphic literature), making it difficult at times to speak with certainty about the details of his life. Pauls keen interest in interpreting the Law, his belief in the possibility of a coming Messiah and of resurrection, as well as his broader apocalyptic outlook are likely consonant, in some measure, with his past (and present?) as a Pharisee. Pauls conversion experience or turning drastically changes his outlook on the possibility that Jesusa cursed Galilean peasant is in fact the foretold cosmic redeemer. We are limited somewhat, given our etic perspective on this event in Pauls life, in our ability to grasp what this meant for Paul (e.g., Does Paul consider himself to still be a Jew? Is he now what we would call a Christian? Does it matter?) Paul is our only concrete evidence for early Christianity before the War. Pauls letters are conversations in context: they are written to specific groups to address particular problems or to discuss interests/issues. Romans is the only letter written to a group (church) of Gentiles not founded by Paul. Paul considers himself the Apostle to the Gentiles. See 1Thessalonians 1:9 (you turned to God from idols) and 1Thess 1:14 (you suffered the same things from your own compatriots as they [the churches of God in Judea] did from the Jews).

Lecture on Romans I. General Overview o Romans as theological rsum vis--vis occasional letter o Pedestrian issues: $pain II. Issues that Paul Attempts to Address o Are Gentiles and Jews equal before God? o Are the Jews still Gods special people if Gentiles are now to be included? o If the Law is not required, how does one avoid immorality? o Must Gentiles convert to Judaism in order to follow Christ? III. Main Ideas (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) IV. V. the Law Sin & Death the Status of Gentiles Participation in Christ Faith & Righteousness Means to Salvation

Discussion Stoicism o o o o Philosophical movement, founded by Zeno of Citium (Athens 313 BCE) Stoa = Painted Porch Concern for logic, physics and ethics (virtue) Physics = materialistic

Pneuma & nous

Looking Ahead: Galatians Be sure to read Galatians 3 very carefully.

Key Terms:

diatribe

baptism

pneuma

Stoicism