REL266: Paul and the Pauline Literature
Review Guide for the Final Exam
Spring, 2005

Table of Contents

Contact Dr. Palmer
What will the exam contain?
How should I study?
What terms and concepts do I need to know?
Acts
Colossians and Ephesians
Second Thessalonians
Pastoral Epistles
Gnosticism
Pelagianism
 Paul and Jesus
Paul and Judaism
Paul and Women: Part One
Paul and Women: Part Two
Paul and Women: Part Three
Homosexuality
What items should I be able to locate on a map?

How to Contact Dr. Palmer
    If you need to discuss the exam, please feel free to contact me via email. In the TO line of your email program type the course number (REL266); then type the @ symbol; then type greek-language.com. Don't put any spaces in this line.
 

I. Nature of the Exam

    The format of the exam will be similar to exam one. There will be two main sections. One will contain objective questions (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, etc.), and the other will consist of a series written questions. Some of these will be short-answer questions that you may answer in one to three sentences, but others will require a longer answer. As on Exam One, your score will be the percentage of points earned out of points attempted, but on this exam you must answer at least two written questions and will be allowed to answer no more than three.
    The material covered will come from three categories. About seventy percent (70%) will come from issues covered both in the assigned readings and in the class discussions. Roughly fifteen percent (15%) will come directly from the class discussions (that is, issues discussed in class, but not necessarily in the assigned readings). The remainder of the exam (about 15%) will come directly from the assigned readings (that is, from issues discussed in the readings but not necessarily in class).
Pie chart showing material covered on the exam

II. Strategies for Study

    Between now and the exam you should do all of the following things:

    A. Review your class notes.
    As you review, look for two things. First, notice any terms which seemed unfamiliar to you when you first heard them in class. Second, note the major areas of discussion. What were the main topics discussed in class? Look up unfamiliar terms in the index at the back of the book by Roetzel. (The index begins on page 233. Some of the terms you need may not appear in the index. You will need to ask a classmate about these.)

    B. Review the assigned readings.
    Since the last exam we have read six books of the Bible and material from five different modern authors. We have read Dr. Palmer's discussion of Acts (PDF), pages 67-77 of Stendahl's book, pages 131-190 in the book by Roetzel, pages 52-114 of the book by Furnish, and all of the article by Eisenbaum.
    As you review each of these assignments you should ask yourself, "What were the main topics discussed in this assignment?" Mark any unfamiliar terms and look at the context in which they are used. If you still do not understand a particular term, look it up in the index at the back of the book by Roetzel (beginning on page 233) to see if it is discussed elsewhere in that book. Unfortunately, the book by Furnish does not have a topical index. You can also use the online glossary, but it is small and many terms will not appear there.

    C. Review the biblical text.
    In the Bible itself, we have read Acts, Colossians, Ephesians, and the Pastoral Epistles (1st Timothy, 2nd Timothy, Titus). What texts were particularly important for the Gnostics and the Pelagians (discussed by Roetzel)? What texts shaped Augustine's and Luther's views ofPaul? What texts do more recent scholars emphsize when they discuss Paul's relationship to Judaism (the "New Perspective" on Paul)? What texts are particularly important for a discussion of Pauline and Deutero-pauline views of women's roles? (Consult both Roetzel 182-190 and Furnish on this issue.) What texts from Paul's letters address the issue of homosexuality? What other biblical texts are relevant to this discussion, even though they don't discuss homosexuality directly? (These were discussed in class. If you missed class, be sure to photocopy the notes from a classmate!) Notice also that there is a scripture index at the back of the book by Furnish (beginning on page 141). There is also a scripture index for Stendahl's book that you may download from this website. Use these indices to locate discussions of the passages mentioned above.

    D. Review key terms and concepts
    Review terms and concepts that seemed new to you when you saw them in the assigned readings or heard them in class. See the lists of  Terms and Concepts to Remember at the end of this review guide. These lists are based on the main topics we have discussed since Exam Two. Each list is correlated with one topic and the readings that supported that topic. The lists included below are representative of the kinds of terms and concepts the exam will expect you to recognize. A few others may appear on the exam as well. Look at your class notes to see if you can find terms that were written on the board and explained in class.
    If you don't recognize a term in one of the lists, look for that term in the book whose title appears at the top of the list and see how the author uses the term. No matter which book is listed at the top of the list, use the index at the back of Roetzel's book (beginning on page 233) to see if the term is discussed in that book. Look at how Roetzel uses the term.
    Look for discussions of the same topics in your notes from class. Was additional information presented in class?

III. Terms and Concepts to Remember

These lists are based on both the lectures and the assigned readings . You can find some of the terms in the index at the back of the book by Roetzel starting on page 233. You may find discussions of some of the relevant biblical texts by using the scripture index at the back of the book by Furnish (starting on page 141).

Do not attempt to memorize a definition for each term or concept in these lists. In stead, you should use the lists to help you review and find the areas you most need to study. If you recognize most of the terms in a particular list, but are missing many from another list, begin by reviewing the list from which you recognize the smallest number of terms and concepts.


Acts
This list is based only on the lecture notes and the biblical text.
A map showing Paul's journeys as presented in Acts is available here.
Take the automated online quiz on Acts.
  • Acts' relationship to Luke's Gospel
  • Major themes of the book of Acts
  • Luke's use of speeches
  • Acts 1:6-8
  • Judean followers of "the Way"
  • Pentecost (What happens to Peter and the other Jewish disciples on this day?)
  • Ananias and Sapphira
  • Stephen
  • Philip
  • Cornelius
  • Saul
  • The Journeys of Paul as reflected in Acts 13-28 (What is the significance of there being three journey's?)
  • The first missionary journey (What part of the Roman Empire did it cover?) See the map of the map of the first journey.
  • The first Church Council (Acts 15) (What problem did the council address?)
  • The second missionary journey (What part of the Roman Empire did it cover?) See the map of the second journey.
  • Timothy
  • The Philippian jailer
  • Paul and the alter to "an unknown god"
  • The third missionary journey (What part of the Roman Empire did it cover?) See the map of the third journey.
  • Paul's missionary strategies (two main options)
  • Paul's arrest and imprissonment at Caesarea
  • The journey to Rome as a prisoner (See the map of the journey to Rome.)

While reading Acts, you also read pages 67-77 of Stendahl's book ("Unique Rather Than Universal"). Click here to take an automated practice quiz on that reading assignment.

Colossians and Ephesians
Roetzel, pp. 133-148
 Take the automated quiz on Roetzel's treatment of Colossians and Ephesians.
Take an automated quiz on the Contents of the Letter to the Colossians and the Location of the City.
  • Authorship of Colossians (arguments for and against Paul as the author)
  • Probable time of composition of Colossians
  • Syncretism
  • "Philosophy"
  • Elemental spirits of the universe
  • Self abasement
  • The "Christ Hymn" in Colossians (Colossians 1:15-20)
  • The "mystery" in Colossians
  • Five major sections of the letter to Colossae (Roetzel, pp. 140-141)
  • Map showing the location of Colossia in relation to Hierapolis and Laodicea
  • Literary relationship between Colossians and Ephesians
  • Authorship of Ephesians (arguments for treating Ephesians as pseudonymous)
  • The "mystery" in Ephesians
  • Attitude toward the apostles in Ephesians
  • Ekklesia (Contrast the view in Ephesians with the other pauline letters.)
  • Date of compositions of Ephesians (two main possibilities)
  • Edgar J. Goodspeed's view of the purpose of Ephesianss
  • The Roman-Jewish War (66-70 CE) and its possible relation to the situation behind the letter to the Ephesians
  • The view of "calling" in Ephesians (4:1)
  • "The whole armor of God"
  • Household Codes (in both Colossians 3:18-4:1 and Ephesians 5:21-6:9)
  • The Prison Letters (Which four are they?)
  • Four main sections of the letter to the Ephesians (Roetzel, pp. 147-148)


Second Thessalonians
Roetzel, pp. 148-152
Take the automated online quiz on Second Thessalonains,
  • Authorship of Second Thessalonians
  • Two main problems facing the recipients of Second Thessalonians
  • A letter "as though from us" (2:2)
  • Signs of the end
  • Apocalyptic dualism
  • The "powerful delusion" (2:11-12)
  • Encouragement to work and avoid laziness (3:10)
  • Main sections of the letter (Roetzel, p. 152)

 
The Pastoral Epistles
Roetzel, pp. 153-160
  • Timothy and Titus (the people, not the letters)
  • Authorship of the Pastoral Epistles
  • The Pastor's view of the institutional structure of the church
  • The Pastor's use of parenetic materials
  • The Pastor's view of women
  • Roetzel's view of the heresy combated by the Pastoral Epistles
  • Gnosticism
  • Differences between Second Timothy and the other Pastoral Epistless

 
Gnosticism: The Problem of Evil in the World 
(Roetzel, pp. 162-166)
  • The (early-gnostic?) situation at Colossae
    • World denial (Colossians 2:21)
    • Physical indulgence (Colossians 3:5)
  • gnosis (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
  • Roetzel's view of the situation behind the Pastoral Epistles
  • Themes and emphases of Second-century Gnosticism
    • Hatred of the world and the flesh
    • Salvation by gnosis
    • Gnosis as reunion with the divine source
    • Resurrection as liberation before death
    • Rejection of physical resurrection
  • Marcion
  • 144 CE
  • Bishop Rabbula (411-435 CE)
  • Marcionite and Gnostic use of Paul
    • 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
    • Romans 7:18 and 24
    • Romans 8:23
    • 1 Corinthians 15:50
    • 1 Corinthians 2:9—10
    • 2 Corinthians 12:3-4
    • 2 Corinthians 4:4 (the "god of this world")
    • Romans 3:21

  • Gnostic rejection of the "Old Testament"
  • The Church Fathers
  • Irenaeus
  • The Church Fathers' view of Paul's interpretation of the law
  • Origin
  • Torah versus Nomos (from class lectures)

 
Pelagianism: The Problem of Sin and Freedom 
(Roetzel, pp. 166-170)
  • Augustine
  • Pelagius
  • Pelagius' understanding of Romans 5:12
  • Original Sin
  • Pelagius' view of the doctrine of God (and his reading of Leviticus 19:2 and Matthew 5:48)
  • Pelagius' view of infant baptism
  • Augustine's [mis]reading of Romans 5:12 (based on the Latin translation of the text)
  • Implications of Greek text of Romans 5:12
  • Augustine's view of infant baptism
  • Augustine's view of predestination, freedom, and responsibility
  • The Synod of Carthage (418 CE)
  • Martin Luther
  • Luther's reading of Romans 1:17
  • Paul's use of the Greek word pistis

 
Paul and Jesus 
(Roetzel, pp. 171-174)
  • Three views of Jesus and Paul as incompatible (What is the basis and basic claim of each one?)
    • Wellhausen
    • John Locke
    • William Wrede
  • Geza Vermes's view of what led Gentile Christianity away from its roots in the views of Jesus
  • Albert Schweitzer
  • The Mysticism of Paul the Apostle
  • Schweitzer's view of common ground between Jesus and Paul

 
Paul and Judaism 
Roetzel, pp. 174-181
  • Conversion (Describe the experience of each of the following)
    • Augustine
    • Martin Luther
    • The Pietists
  • The Pietists' reading of Romans 7-8
  • The "New Perspective" on Paul
    • Philippians 3:6
    • Romans 8:2
    • Romans 9:4-5
  • The misrepresentation of Judaism that results from thinking Paul rejected his past
  • The "prevailing motif" in Paul's theology
    • Rudolf Bultmann
    • Johannes Munck
  • Paul and the Salvation of Mankind
  • Romans 9-11
  • Compare Romans 10:9-10 with Luke 10:25-28.

 
Paul and Women: Part One 
(Roetzel, pp. 182-190)
  • Roetzel's view of the appropriate evidence for Paul's view (the authorship question)
  • The Scroggs-Pagels debate (1970s)
  • Robin Scroggs
    • Head (kephale) in 1 Corinthians 11
    • Paul's female coworkers
  • Elaine Pagels
    • Paul's failure to directly challenge slavery
    • Paul's interest in order
  • Roetzel's view of the results of the Scroggs-Pagels debate (p. 184)
  • Galatians 3:28
  • Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, In Memory of Her
    • Galatians 3:28
    • 1 Corinthians 11 and 14
  • Daniel Boyarin's criticism of Fiorenza
    • The One
    • Spirit/flesh dualism
  • Elizabeth Castelli, Imitating Paul: A Discourse of Power
  • Antoinette Clark Wire, The Corinthian Women Prophets: A Reconstruction through Paul's Rhetoric
  • Carolyn Osiek's work on Euodia and Syntyche
  • Roetzel's evaluation of Paul's view of women (Was Paul a chauvinist in Roetzel's view?)

 
Paul and Women: Part Two
(Furnish pp. 83-114)
In addition to reviewing pages 83-114 of Furnish' book, this list will help you review relevant readings from earlier in the semester, such as the letters to Rome and Corinth.
  • Furnish's view of the authorship of the Pastoral Epistles
  • 1 Timothy 2:8-15
  • Common Greco-Roman ethical teaching on women's roles
  • Rabbinic teachings on women's participation in public prayers
  • Bernadette Brooten
  • Adam in 1 Timothy 2:14 and Romans 7:11 (Was Adam deceived?)
  • Artemis, goddess of Ephesus (lecture notes on the sociological background of 1 Timothy)
  • Household Codes
    • Ephesians 5:21-6:9
    • Colossians 3:18-25
  • First Corinthians 14:34-36
    • Authorship
    • Placement of the phrase, "as in all the churches of the saints" (14:33b; See class notes.)
    • Possible setting if Paul did write these verses
  • Galatians 3:27-28 (and 1 Corinthians 12:13)
  • First Corinthians 11:2-16
    • Hairstyles rather than veils
    • Instructions for women and men (See lecture notes.)
    • "Unbound" (akatakalypto; See lecture notes.)
    • Aphrodite, goddess of Corinth (lecture notes on the sociological background of 1 Corinthians 11)
    • Head (kephale)
    • "Image" and "glory"
    • "Authority over her head" (11:10)
    • 1 Corinthians 11:12

  • Women in Paul's Ministry (Who were each of the following and what does Paul say about them?)
    • Cloe (1 Corinthians 1:11)
    • Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3)
    • "Loyal companion" (gnesie syzyge, Philippians 4:3)
    • Prisca (Priscilla) (1 Corinthians 16:19; Romans 16:3-5 [also Acts 18:1-2 and 18-19])
    • Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)
      • diaconos (deacon, minister; See lecture notes as well as readings)
      • "Benefactor," "Patron," "one who stands before" (prostatis )
    • Junia (Romans 16:7)
      • Walter Bauer's Greek lexicon
      • "Outstanding among the apostles"
  • Furnish's conclusions (three of them) regarding Paul's views on women's roles (See pages 110-112.)

Paul and Women: Part Three
Read Pamela Eisenbaum's article, "Is Paul the Father of Misogyny and Antisemitism?"
Take the automated quiz on Eisenbaum's article.
  • Eisenbaum's answer to the question, "Was Paul the father of misogyny and antisemitism?"
  • Galatians 3:28 as the text that sums up Paul's theological vision
  • The traditional Christian view of Paul  (as defined by Augustine and Luther)
  • The traditional Jewish view of Paul
  • The New Perspective on Paul
    • Galatians 2:15
    • Philippians 3:5-6
  • Feminist impact on pauline studies
  • Eisenbaum's view of the reason intelligent people can disagree over Paul's view of women and his view of Judaism
  • Two longstanding--but mutually exclusive--uses of Galatians 3:28
  • Equality versus sameness
  • Daniel Boyarin
    • A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity
    • Paul's hellenistic dualism: spiritual reality and material reality
    • "The One" and universal humanity
  • Eisenbaum's understanding of Paul's prototypical human ideal
    • Difference as a God-given part of creation
    • First Corinthians 7:17-20
    • Paul's work to change relationships between people of different status
    • Paul's view of what is natural (1 Corinthians 11:13-16 [phusis, nature in verse 14]; Galatians 2:15 [phusei, by birth, by nature])
    • Paul's protest against erasing the physical difference between Jew and Gentile (Galatians 5:2)
  • Eisenbaum's view of Paul's "family" metaphor
    • Genesis 1:27-28
    • Galatians 3:28, "no longer male and female"
  • Eisenbaum's view of the intent of Paul's family metaphor (What was the purpose?)
    • Romans 3:29

Homosexuality
Furnish, pp. 52-82
  • Old Testament stories which have some implications for the issue of homosexual behavior (What happens in each story?)
    • Sodom (Genesis 19)
    • Gibeah (Judges 19)
  • Use of the terms sodomy and sodomite in English translations of the Bible (especially the KJV and the RSV)
  • The "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26)
    • Leviticus 18:22
    • Leviticus 20:13
  • Pederasty
    • The Greek ideal
    • The Roman reality of Paul's time (child prostitution, call boys)
  • Sexual exploitation of slaves (comments by Seneca, Plutarch, and Dio Chrysostom)
  • The purpose of the Holiness Code (Holiness as being set apart, different)
    • Canaanite and Babylonian cult prostitution
    • Pederasty as a Gentile evil
  • Sexual "orientation" unknown in the ancient world
  • Ancient association of homosexual conduct with lust
  • Ancient association of homosexual conduct with exploitation
  • First Corinthians 6:9-11
    • malakoi (soft, effeminate)
    • arsenokoitai
    • Vice lists in the pauline letters
  • Romans 1:26-27
    • Similarities to Wisdom of Solomon 13:1-9
    • Paul's view of the root cause: idolatry
    • The "due penalty" (Romans 1:27, but see the larger context)
    • "God gave them up" (Romans 1:24, 26, 28)
  • Paul's view of homosexual conduct as unnaturalnature .)
  • Modern views on the causes of homosexuality
  • Behaviors not orientations condemned in scripture
  • Modern homosexuality between consenting and committed adults (a phenomenon probably unknown to Paul)
  • Three things to keep in mind for a contemporary Christian response to homosexuality (See class notes.)
  • (Romans 1:26-27; Compare 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 on hair and


Maps
On the Final Exam, you should be able to locate each of the following items.
Regions
 Cities
Achaea
Macedonia
Asia (the Roman province by this name)
Galatia (the Roman province, and the older ethnic kingdom)
Judea and Samaria (the Roman Province)
 Tarsus
Caesarea (Caesara Maritima)
Jerusalem
Ephesus
Philippi
Thessalonica
Corinth


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