EXEGETING PAULINE SOTERIOLOGICAL LITERATURE
GALATIANS
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
How
to be justified and how to experience spiritual growth are the foundational
concerns of Christianity. Exegeting the
Greek text of Galatians, you will trace the argument of the author and do an
intensive study of the great themes of salvation and sanctification, and other
matters such as the significance of the Law and the covenants for the believer. You will also study the authorship, date,
structure, and place of origin of the epistle.
COURSE GOAL
Under
the guidance of the Spirit you will interpret the Epistle of Galatians by
completing exegetical study tasks on the Greek text and by the practice of the
disciplines for the purpose of applying the truths learned to personal living
and to ministry.
I. You will practice the study skills of a 15-step method for the exegesis of the Greek New Testament by applying principles and exegetical skills to Galatians.
A. You will be able to analyze the text by:
1.
Pursuing
spiritual preparation;
2.
Translating
and discovering (observing) the text;
3.
Researching
the historical background of the book;
4.
Tracing the
argument of the book;
5.
Analyzing a
paragraph;
6.
Solving
textual problems;
7.
Diagramming
your paragraph;
8.
Doing a
semantic and rhetorical analysis;
9.
Taking
syntactical notes;
10.
Creating an
exegetical outline;
11.
Doing a
lexical/conceptual analysis;
12.
Discovering
the OT context and parallel passages.
B. You will be able to synthesize your
exegetical findings from the text by:
13.
Solving exegetical and theological problems in
your paragraph;
14.
Validating
the interpretation and outline;
15.
Contextualizing
the text by
a. Actualizing the essential reality of the text;
b. Correlating the text to world view;
c. Teaching the text;
d. Writing a commentary.
C. You will be able to employ those tools,
books, and computer programs necessary for a credible interpretation of the
text as evidenced by your use of them in the exegetical tasks throughout the
course.
II. You will be able to read Galatians in
the Greek text by:
A. Translating the text using whatever
tools you desire;
B. Reading Galatians in class from the UBS
or Aland text; and,
C. Reading the text two more times,
gradually using fewer tools until you are reading only the UBS text;
III. You will come to understand better the
book of Galatians by:
A. Performing the exegetical tasks outlined
above;
B. Reading a commentary on Galatians;
C. Reading articles related to issues in
Galatians; and,
D. Practicing the disciplines of meditation
and prayer (in addition to study).
IV. You
will contextualize your understanding of Galatians by:
A. Applying the general principles you
distilled from the text to your communities of faith;
B. Drawing correlations of the truths of
Galatians to biblical theology and a Christian world view; and,
C. Recording personal applications learned
through the practice of the disciplines weekly in a journal.
V. You
will come to appreciate the significance of the book of Galatians to the Church
by:
A. Understanding its crucial doctrines,
such as justification by faith, through doing exegesis of the book; and,
B. Becoming acquainted with its role in
the historical development of these doctrines by reading a commentary.
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
I. Reading Galatians in the Greek text
three times. Each reading is due as
indicated on the schedule (8 hrs).
II. Occasionally translating in class the
Greek text and identifying grammatical forms and functions. The student is responsible for the portion
assigned on the schedule. Preparation
for reading in class counts toward reading the text three times (0 hrs; 200
pts).
III. Reading outside of class the commentary
portion of either A Critical and
Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, by Ernest DeWitt
Burton, pp. 1-362 (except for fine print); or Commentary On Galatians, by F. F. Bruce, pp. 71-278. This is to be done in conjunction with the
class progression through the book (10 hrs).
IV. Reading brief articles on the
significance of law for the Christian; and sections from M. Silva, Explorations in Exegetical Method: Galatians As a Test Case (3 hrs).
V. Completing exegetical products from the
15-step method (30 hours; 1400 points).
VI.
Keeping
weekly a brief journal of the fruits of meditation, prayer, and study of
Galatians (9 hrs; 500 pts).
VII. Additional Th.M. requirements (to be
assigned). These may be in the form of
additional reading; an additional paragraph on which to do exegesis; or some
other approved project proposed by the student.
COURSE
POLICIES
1. All written assignments (underlined on
syllabus) are due on the day specified.
Late work will be penalized unless excused. Assignments with no point value must be
completed as competency requirements; failure to do so will result in one grade
reduction for each such assignment not completed.
2. Attendance is required as stated in the
catalogue: no more than 3 weeks of class
sessions may be missed.
3. Expected ratio of number of hours of
homework to number of hours in class is two to one for an average (B) grade.
4. Those assignments with an asterisk are
to be duplicated for classmates.
5. Institutional
grading scale: A+ 99-100%
A 95-98%
A- 93-94%
B+ 91-92%
B 85-90%
B- 83-84%
C+ 81-82%
C 75-80%
C- 73-74%
D+ 71-72%
D 65-70%
D- 63-64%
COURSE CONTENT AND SCHEDULE
Sept 9 Introduction to the course;
Assignments; Galatians 1
Sept 16 Steps 1-2; Galatians 1-2
Sept 23 Step 3; Galatians 2
Sept 30 Step 4-5; Galatians 2
Oct 7 Steps 6; Galatians 3
Oct 14 Step 7; 1st reading due;
Galatians 3
Oct 21 Step 8; Galatians 4
Oct 28 Steps 9-10; Galatians 4; De Young’s paper: “But As Then . . . So Even Now”
Nov 4 Step 11; Galatians 4
Nov 11 Step 12; Galatians 5
Nov 18 Step 13; 2nd reading due;
Galatians 5
Nov
25 Thanksgiving
Dec 2 Step 14; Galatians 5; Role of
the Law (law)
Dec 9 Step
15 a-b-c; Galatians 6
Dec 16 Step 15 d; 3rd reading due;
reading of commentary due; Galatians 6
BIBLIOGRAPHY
James
B. De Young
Alford, H. The
Greek Testament. Vol.3
Barclay, W. The Letter to the Galatians and
Ephesians.
Betz, Hans Dieter.
Galatians (Hermeneia)
Bruce, F. F.
Commentary on Galatians (NIGTC)
Calvin, J. Calvin's
Commentaries. Vol. 11
Cole, R. A.
Epistle of Paul to the Galatians (Tyndale)
Conybeare, W. J. and J. S. Howson. The life and Epistles of St. Paul.
Eadie, J. Galatians.
Ellicott, C. J.
Critical and Grammatical Commentary on Galatians.
Eerdman, C. F.
Epistle of Paul to Galatians.
Findlay, G. G.
Epistle to Galatians
(Expositor's Bible)
Guthrie, D. ed.
Galatians (Century Bible)
Hendricksen, W.,
Galatians (N.T. Commentary)
Hogg, C. F. and Vine. Epistle to Galatians.
Hovey, A. American
Commentary on N.T.: Galatians.
Jowett, B. Epistles
of Paul to Thessalonians, Galatians, and Romans.
Kelly, W. Lectures
on Galatiana.
Lange, J. P.
Commentary on Galatians.
Lenski, R. C. H.
Interpretation of Paul's Epistles to Galatians.
Lightfoot, J. B.
The Epistle of
Luther, M. Commentary
on Galatians (Works, Vol. 26, 27).
Meyer, H. A. W.
Epistle to Galatians.
Moule, H. C. G.
Cross and Spirit.
Neil, William.
The Letter of Paul to the Galatians.
Perowne, E. B.
Galatians (
Ramsay, W. M.
Historical Commentary on the Epistle to Galatians.
Randall, F.
Epistle to Galatians (Expositor's Greek Testament).
Ribberbos, H. N.
Epistle of Paul to the Churches of
Silva, M. Explorations
in Exegetical Method: Galatians As a
Test Case.
Stamm, R. T.
Epistle to Galatians (Interpreter's Bible).
Stott, J. R. W.
The Message of Galatians.
(IVP)
Tenney, M. C.
Galatians: The Charter of
Christian Liberty.
Vos, H. F. Galatians: A Call to Christian Liberty.
Williams, A.
Galatians (
ARTICLES
Bellville, L.
"Under the Law: Structural
Analysis of the Pauline Concept of Law in Gal.
Breshears, G. "The Place of Law in the Life
of the Believer in Christ." ETS
Paper, 1989.
Callan,
Terrance. "Pauline Midrash: The
Exegetical Background of Gal. 3:19b."
JBL 99:4 (Dec. 1980), 549-567.
Chismar,
Douglas E. and Rausch, David A.
"Regarding Theonomy: An
Essay of Concern" 27:3 (Sept. 1984)
315‑323.
De
Young, James B. “‘But As Then . . . So
Even Now’: Toward an Understanding and
Reproduction of Paul’s Allegory in Galatians 4:21-31; with Implications for the
Role of History and General Revelation in the Interpretive Process.” Paper presented to the Evangelical
Theological Society,
Fung, Ronald Y.K.
"A Note on Galatians 2:3-8."
JETS 25:1, (March, 1982), 49-52.
Kaiser, Walter.
"The Old Testament Law and New Testament Believers." Chap. 19 in Toward
Old Testament Ethics.
Longnecker,
Richard N. "The Pedagogical Nature
of the Law in Galatians 3:19-4:7." JETS
25:1, (March, 1982), 53-62.
Magnuson,
Roger J. "Law: The Harness and the
Guidepost." Christian Legal
Society Quarterly 6:1 (1985) 6‑11.
Moo,
Douglas J. "`Law,' `Works of the
Law,' and Legalism in Paul."
. "The Law of Moses or the Law of
Christ." Chap. 9 in Continuity
and Discontinuity.
Schreiner, Thomas R. "Is Perfect Obedience to the Law
Possible? A Re-examination of Galatians 3:10." JETS 27:2 (June, 1984), 151-160.
. "Abolition and Fulfillment of the Law in
Christ." JSNT 35 (1989):
47-74.
Walton, John.
"Deuteronomy: An Exposition
of the Spirit of the Law." GTJ
8:2 (1987): 211-225.
GALATIANS
Paul warns the Galatians that to add works to faith perverts the Gospel of Christ divinely given to him, as an apostle, and exhorts them to live consistently in accord with this Gospel of liberty by actualizing their essential reality in their historical reality.
Introduction (1:1‑10). Paul introduces the occasion and theme of his
epistle to the Galatians.
A. He addresses the churches of
1.
He introduces
his authority as an apostle (1)
2.
He designates
the parties of the epistle (2)
3. He wishes grace and peace upon the
readers (3)
4. He cites the redemptive work of Christ
and its purpose (4)
5. He expresses his doxology to the Father
(5)
B. He cites the occasion of his epistle (6‑10)
1. He marvels at their quick departure
from the gospel (6)
2. He curses those wishing to pervert the
Gospel of Christ (7‑9)
3. He is motivated to please God not men
(10)
I. Paul
vindicates his Gospel and his authority as an apostle of it (1:11‑2:21)
(personal and Gospel defense).
A. Source:
he received his Gospel by revelation given from Jesus Christ (1:11‑12)
B. Substantiation: his authority as an apostle of the gospel
derives from God not man (1:13‑24)
1. Zeal for Judaism directly opposed to
his Gospel characterized his preconversion life (13‑14)
2. His conversion and apostleship came
from divine revelation alone (15‑16a)
3. His theology was not formed by contacts
with others (16b‑17)
4. His first visit to
5. His initial ministry took place in
C. His Gospel was approved by the Apostles
when he again visited
1. He went to
2. He refused to yield to those seeking by
means of works to corrupt the truth of the Gospel (3‑5)
3. His apostleship to the Gentiles was
warmly recognized by the Apostles there (6‑10)
D. He demonstrated the implications of his
authority and his Gospel in his controversy with Peter at
1. The Occasion: Peter acted the hypocrite when with Gentiles
and then later with Jews (11‑13)
2. The correction: Paul rebuked Peter's perversion of the truth
of the Gospel (14)
3. The conclusion: righteousness comes by faith in Christ, not
by works of the law (15‑21)
II. Paul
confirms the Gospel of justification by faith apart from works of the law (3:1‑4:31),
(fourfold polemical argument.)
A. Their reception of the Spirit by faith,
not by works of the law (3:1‑5) (argument from experience)
1. They began in the Spirit by faith (1‑2)
2. They continue in the Spirit by faith (3‑5)
a. They cannot be completed by flesh (3)
b.
Their present
suffering has not been in vain (4)
c.
God continues
to supply the Spirit and works miracles by faith (5)
B. The references of Scripture prove
justification is by faith not by works of the law (3:6‑14)
1. Abraham was counted righteous by
believing (6)
2. Those of faith are the sons of Abraham
(7‑9)
3. Those of works of the law are condemned
under a curse (10)
4. The just shall live by faith (11)
5. The law is characterized by works not
faith (12)
6. Christ redeemed believers from the
law's curse in order that they might inherit the blessing (promise) of Abraham
(13‑14)
C. The relationship of the law to promise
must be distinguished (3:15‑4:7)
1. The promise of the covenant is more
certain than the law (15‑18)
a. The promise of the covenant is more
certain than the law (15)
b. The promise is Christological (16)
c. The law did not cancel the earlier
promise (17)
d. The inheritance comes by the promise
not the law (18)
2. The purpose of the law differs from
that of the promise (19‑25)
a. The law shows man's sin; it does not
bring righteousness (19‑22)
b. The law tutored men unto Christ (23‑25)
3. The heirs of the promise hold the
position of sonship (3:26‑4:7)
a. They are united to Christ the Son by
faith without distinction (3:26‑29)
b. They are heirs of God as adopted sons
no longer under guardianship (4:1‑7)
D. Returning to the law means retrogression
(4:8‑31)
1. The estate under the law is one of
bondage (8‑11)
2. The entreaty of Paul pleads for present
reconciliation (12‑20)
a. He recalls their highly favorable
reception of him at the first (12‑15)
b. He continues to desire their spiritual
growth (16‑20)
3. Scripture exalts their new relationship
of liberty (21‑31)
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