Details for The Prison Epistles

This paper examines the so-called Prison or Captivity letters ascribed to Paul; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. The issues of pseudonymity, literary dependency and the various world-views developed from the text(s) are examined. 

Awards offering The Prison Epistles

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

• Bachelor of Contemporary Ministry
• Diploma in Biblical Studies (Level 6)

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

To examine the so-called Prison or Captivity letters ascribed to Paul; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. The issues of pseudonymity, literary dependency and the various world-views developed from the text(s) are examined.

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

1. Analyse the historical background and social context of the local churches at Ephesus, Philippi and Colosse
2. Examine the literary and theological structure of each epistle through sound exegesis and engagement with a wide variety of sources
3. Explain the biblical theological context of each epistle and detail the content unique to each
4. Identify and apply an ecclesiology through exegetical and thematic study
5. Demonstrate and integrate an understanding of the role and function of Christians as members of the body of Christ and the broader community 

Subject Content

1. Genre identification
2. Compare/contrast Pauline/Deutero Pauline literature
3. Occasion and Purpose; Rhetorical Strategy; Narrative world
4. Exegesis of individual texts
5. Application to ministry

This course may be offered in the following formats

Lectures, group discussion, online engagement

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Assessment Methods

Book Review (1250 words), Contemporary Presentation (1250 words) Thematic Paper (2500 words)

Prescribed Text

Distance

Timothy Gombis. The Drama of Ephesians: Participating in the Triumph of God. Downers Grove: IVP, 2010. 

Representative References

Dunn, J.D.G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. NIGTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.

Fee, G.D. Pauline Christology: An Exegetical-theological Study, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.

Fowl, S.F. Philippians, Two Horizons New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.

Hoehner, H.W. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002.

Hooker, M.D. ‘The Letter to the Philippians’.  In The New Interpreter’s Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.

Kreitzer, L.J. Hierapolis in the Heavens: Studies in the Letter to the Ephesians. London: T & T Clark, 2008.

McDonald, M.Y. Colossians and Ephesians. SP17, Collegville: Liturgical Press, 2000.

Meeks, W.A. The First Urban Christians: the Social World of the Apostle Paul – 2nd edition. New Haven: YUP, 2003.

Perkins, P. ‘The Letter to the Ephesians’. In The New Interpreter’s Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000, vol. XI.

Phillips, J. Exploring Ephesians and Philippians.  Grand Rapids:  Kregel Academic & Professional, 2002.

Thompson, M.M.  Colossians & Philemon. THNTC. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.

Thurston, B. & Ryan, J. Philippians and Philemon, Sacra Pagina Series. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2003.

Turner, M. “Human Reconciliation in the New Testament with Special Reference to Philemon, Colossians and Ephesians,” European Journal of Theology 16:1 (2007):  37-47.

Witherington III, B. The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians and the Ephesians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Captivity Epistles. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.

Yarbro Collins, A. “Psalms, Philippians 2:6-11, and the Origins of Christology.” Biblical Interpretation 11:3/4 (2003):  361-372.

Journals:

Biblical Interpretation

Catholic Biblical Quarterly

European Journal of Theology

Interpretation

Journal for the Study of the New Testament

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Journal of Pentecostal Theology

Pneuma