Paul's Letter to the Galatians

The course will introduce students to the text of Galatians and to issues surrounding its interpretation. A range of scholarly debates about Galatians will be introduced, reflecting the significance of the letter for understanding Paul’s theology, especially his soteriology (justification by faith, participation in Christ), his ecclesiology (Jews and Gentiles as one people of God), and his engagement with Judaism and the law. Attention will also be paid to the historical issues surrounding the date and destination of Galatians and to reconstructions of the crisis that prompted Galatians, especially the identity of Paul’s opponents. Other issues to be explored include Paul’s use of Scripture and the work of the Spirit in the life of the church. This course also aims to assist students in appreciating the relevance of Galatians for contemporary contexts.