Courses

As all Christian leaders know, churches are hard to deal with—and Paul’s congregation in Corinth was no exception. In this course, we will examine 1 Corinthians, in which Paul expresses his displeasure at a wide range of problems plaguing his Achaian community. By reflecting upon Paul’s concerns and the way that he addresses them, we can learn about church leadership and better appreciate the complexities that emerge whenever the proclamation of the kingdom of God produces a community that needs to operate within an existing culture.

Knowing…

• Know the basic outline of 1 Corinthians;
• Have familiarity with the historical setting of 1 Corinthians;
• Understand the major theological and ethical teachings found in 1 Corinthians;

Being…

• Appreciate the importance of participating in critical and respectful discussions concerning biblical texts;
• Be sensitive to the historical and cultural environment in which the early church first communicated the gospel;
• Be more competent interpreters of Paul;
• Embody a more cruciform way of life;

Doing…

• Read books that engage with 1 Corinthians in a careful and critical manner;
• Take time to reflect on the relevance of 1 Corinthians;
• Talk intelligently about 1 Corinthians;
• Discuss how 1 Corinthians is relevant to contemporary Christianity.