NT2213 The Pauline Tradition: 1 & 2 Corinthians
Mary E. Hinkle
Associate Professor of New Testament
Luther Seminary
Fall 2004

Week 11 | Nov 15-21

To Do list for Week 11

1. Participate in this week's debate. Find details on this page and the debate page.
   • If you are on a debate team, help your team throughout the week.
   • If you are not on a team, read and judge the debate by the Monday we are back from break, Nov 29.
2. Read on the topic (full bibliography below):
   • Hays, reserve piece, and
   • Cousar textbook, chapters 8 & 10.
   • Perkins, "Paul and Ethics," on ATLA database as full text.
3. Complete "What Time Is It?" exegetical workshop #4, by Friday Nov. 19.

Pauline Ethics

Throughout 1 and 2 Corinthians, we have seen Paul argue that those who are part of the body of Christ live lives that are characterized by a values the world does not always recognize. Character and actions that are shaped by Christian identity are different from those shaped by other influences and values of Greco-Roman culture. "God has made foolish the wisdom of the world" Paul says. That is nowhere more true than in the ethics that Christians hope to live out.

Readings for "Love is the center of Pauline ethics."

Hays, Richard B. "Paul: The Koinonia of His Sufferings." In Moral Vision of the New Testament (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996) 17-59. E-reserve .pdf file here. Also available in the Luther Seminary library.

Cousar, The Letters of Paul (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996) chapters 8 ("The Old Life and the New") and 10 ("Embodying the Gospel"), 116-33, 145-160. This is your textbook.

Perkins, "Paul and Ethics," Interpretation38 (1984) 268-80. Available on desk reserve or via the Homelab from the ATLA Religion Database as full text. For instructions on how to workaround the "can't print from homelab" problem, click here.

This week, we explore Paul's way of understanding the Christian life by debating this proposition: "Love is the center of Pauline ethics." On Sunday, I will let everyone know what side they are arguing. Your opening statement is due Monday evening. These are the debate teams.

Many thanks to these adventuresome souls who have signed up for the first debate! The debate itself will consist of short statements from both sides. These are limited to one-page (about 250 words). Post and read these on the full class Forum. Each group posts only one opening statement, etc.