Galatians Revised

Course Summary

This course is an in-depth study of Paul's letter to the Galatians. Students will gain knowledge of Paul’s pastoral skills in solving conflicts in the church and using spiritual gifts to continue to promote the Gospel of Christ.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.

General Course Objectives

• Probe into Paul’s defense of his calling and analyze the historical, geographic, and ethnic context of the Galatian communities and explain how this background informs interpretation of Paul’s letter. Identify the characteristics and theological positions of Paul’s opponents (often called Judaizers or “Agitators”) and explain their role in the conflict addressed in the letter.
• Define and critically evaluate key Pauline theological terms—including “works of the law,” “justification,” and “faith in/faithfulness of Christ”—and explore Paul’s spirituality with other Pauline texts.
• Explain Paul’s use of the metaphor of childhood and adoption and evaluate how it shapes his understanding of believers’ new identity in Christ with the practice of inclusion.
• Interpret Paul’s ethical and spiritual vision, including the Fruit of the Spirit, and evaluate how these themes informed early Christian understandings of virtue and life in the Spirit.
• Reflect on how our actions can reap corruption or eternal life from the spirit while looking closely at the steps we have taken resembles Christ’s call in our lives.

Course Materials

• No books required. All readings are online.

Course Structure and Highlights

• Week 1: Title TBD
• Week 2: Christ’s Blessing is for Everyone
  • Define and critically evaluate key Pauline theological terms—including “works of the law,” “justification,” and “faith in/faithfulness of Christ”—and explore Paul’s spirituality with other Pauline texts.
• Week 3: The Promise of God that comes through the Spirit.
  • Explain Paul’s use of the metaphor of childhood and adoption and evaluate how it shapes his understanding of believers’ new identity in Christ with the practice of inclusion.
• Week 4: Christ’s Blessing for Everyone
  • Interpret Paul’s ethical and spiritual vision, including the Fruit of the Spirit, and evaluate how these themes informed early Christian understandings of virtue and life in the Spirit.
• Week 5: Christ’s Blessing for Everyone
  • Reflect on how our actions can reap corruption or eternal life from the spirit while looking closely at the steps we have taken resembles Christ’s call in our lives.

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