Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Romans

Unit Code: 
BN435
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit is an exegetical study of the Letter to the Romans as the mature presentation of the Gospel as proclaimed by Paul, with attention to the key theological themes and issues emerging from the letter. Students will complete detailed exegesis of select passages from the letter.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Situate the content of the letter within an understanding of Paul’s missionary career and pastoral aims at the time of its composition
  2. Provide a convincing account of the likely situation of the community of believers at Rome that prompted Paul to write to them as he did
  3. Interpret passages and themes in the letter in the light of the theological issues that have attached to its interpretation in the Christian tradition
  4. Provide an informed interpretation of the letter, in whole and in part, that is ethically responsible in view of current issues such as ecumenical relations between the Christian churches, relations between Christians and Jews, and relation to the non-human environment
  5. Show capacity to conduct research into the letter at some depth based upon a confident grasp of its intrinsic literary and textual problems, as well of the relevant scholarly literature.
Lecturer/s: 
Brendan Byrne
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 2
Day: 
Thursday
Time: 
10 - 1
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Unit Frequency: 
Biennial
Years Offered: 
2010
Years Offered: 
2012
Years Offered: 
2014
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Master of Arts (Theology)
Courses: 
Master of Theological Studies
Courses: 
Postgraduate
Field: 
Field B Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
New Testament
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Studies
Prerequisites: 

A Foundational unit in Biblical Studies and a Specialised unit in Biblical Studies devoted to Paul, or equivalent at the lecturer’s discretion.

Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Teaching Methods: 

3 hour seminar weekly for 12 weeks

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
3
Expected personal study hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours for unit: 
144
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

1 x essay of 6000 words

Weighting: 
100%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

  • *Byrne, B. Romans. Sacra Pagina 6. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1996.
  • Donfried, K. P., ed. The Romans Debate. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1991.
  • Dunn, J. D. G. Romans. 2 vols. Dallas: Word, 1988.
  • Dunn, J. D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. London: T & T Clark, 2003.
  • Fitzmyer, J. A. Romans. AB 33. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
  • Hay, D. M. and E. E. Johnson, eds. Pauline Theology vol. III: Romans. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.
  • *Horrell, D. G. An Introduction to the Study of Paul. 2nd ed. London: T & T Clark, 2006.
  • Käsemann, E. Commentary on Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.
  • Moo, D. J. The Epistle to the Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
  • Watson, F. Paul, Judaism and the Gentiles: Beyond the New Perspective. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007.
  • Wedderburn, A. J. M. The Reasons for Romans. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1988.
  • Westerhorn, S. Perspectives Old and New on Paul: The Lutheran Paul and His Critics. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.
  • Wright, N. T. ‘Romans’. In The New Interpreter’s Bible, edited by L. Keck, vol. X, 393-770. Nashville: Abingdon, 2001.
  • Ziesler, J. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. London: SCM, 1989. 

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.