Instructor: Gustavo M. Karakey E-mail: gustavok@karakey.com COURSE DESCRIPTION Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary NT / SE 507 The Cross and the Joy of Ministry The Message of Philippians for Today January 16-21, 2017 Bahamas Throughout its history, the letter to the Philippian church has been a source of encouragement for the Christian church in the midst of suffering. Despite the fact that the apostle Paul was in captivity and facing the possibility of death, he continued to exhort the Philippian church with his message of hope, "rejoice in the Lord!" This course will examine the historical, cultural, literary and theological emphases of Paul's letter to the Philippian church. It will incorporate an expository analysis of the Epistle to the Philippians emphasizing its practical relevance for today. COURSE OBJECTIVES On completing this course, students should be able to: 1. Demonstrate a competent knowledge of the historical, literary, interpretive and cultural background of the Epistle to the Philippians (Article 1 & 2 of the GCTS Mission). 2. Apply their knowledge of the course content and the Christian mindset (phronesis) to the development of a biblical, social and theological ethic for ministry (Article 3 of the GCTS Mission). 3. Demonstrate a biblical understanding of the joys and struggles of Christian ministry (Article 4 of the GCTS Mission). 4. Demonstrate a growing familiarity with the message of Philippians and its relevance for a variety of personal, professional and ministerial contexts (Article 5 and 6 of GCTS Mission). REQUIRED COURSE TEXTS 1. Fernando, Ajith. The Call to Joy and Pain: Embracing Suffering in Your Ministry, Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007. (ISBN: 9781433520204) (NOTE: This book is available electronically on Kindle.) 2. Silva, Moisés. Philippians. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. (ISBN: 978-0801026812 (NOTE: This book is available electronically on Kindle.) 3. Villafañe, Eldin. Beyond Cheap Grace: A Call to Radical Discipleship, Incarnation, and Justice, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2006. (ISBN: 080286323X) (NOTE: This book is available electronically on Kindle.)
4. Study Bible, preferably in the NIV, ESV or NRSV translation. OPTIONAL RECOMMENDED TEXTS 1. Bruce, F. F. Philippians. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1989. 2. Fee, Gordon D. Paul s Letter to the Philippians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1995. 3. O Brien, Peter T. Commentary on Philippians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1991. 4. Thielman, Frank. The NIV Application Commentary: Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. 5. Witherington, B., III. Friendship and Finances in Philippi: The Letter of Paul to the Philippians. Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1994. COURSE REQUIREMENTS For graduate level studies, students should expect to devote 3 hours of outside personal preparation for every hour spent in class. This implies a regularly scheduled investment of quality time before, during and after the week of concentrated class sessions. The course requirements are as follows: 1. Attendance Attendance at all class sessions is required for a successful completion of this course. 2. Reading of the Epistle to the Philippians You must read the Epistle to the Philippians in its entirety five (5) times prior to the start of the first class. 3. Required reading You must read all of the required course texts before the appropriate due dates. 4. Assignments Assignment due first day of class: Prepare a brief reflection paper responding to the following questions for the book The Call to Joy and Pain: 1) What is the main thesis of Fernando's book? (Use 200 words for this section.) 2) Pick one of Fernando's chapters that relates to a concrete situation in your personal, professional or ministerial life. Write a short reflection on why you picked this chapter, how it relates to your concrete situation and how the chapter helped you to reframe that situation. (Use 650-700 for this section.) 3) Your paper should be a combined 850-900 words, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point. This word range will be strictly enforced. Final academic paper - Due on March 6, 2017 1) Please check Sakai for detailed instructions on this final assignment. 2) You will be required to prepare an academic paper on one of the following themes: (Choose only one theme) 2
a) Joy as it relates to the Christian life in Philippians (This is more personal.) b) Joy as it relates to the Christian ministry in Philippians (This is more ministerial.) c) Suffering at it relates to the Christian life in Philippians (This is more personal.) d) Suffering as it relates to the Christian ministry in Philippians (This is more ministerial.) e) The Christian mindset (phronesis and phroneo) according to Philippians and our contemporary ministry f) Characteristics of the Philippians "opponents" that are mentioned throughout the letter (1:28, 3:2, 3:18, etc.) g) The characteristics of a Christian leader according to Philippians CONFIRMATION OF READINGS Students will be required to turn in two forms indicating what percentage of the readings they have completed (see Appendix). These are not written reports or summaries, but simply an acknowledgment that you have read the material. The first form is due on the first day of class, January 16, 2017. The second form is due on February 27, 2017. First Form January 16, 2017 Silva, Moisés. Philippians - Read pp. 1-142 (Intro and sections I, II and III on Kindle) Fernando, Ajith. The Call to Joy and Pain: Embracing Suffering in Your Ministry The Epistle to the Philippians - Read the epistle a total of 5 times in a good Bible translation prior to the start of the class. Second Form February 27, 2017 Silva, Moisés. Philippians - Read pp. 143-213 (Sections IV, V and excursus on Kindle) Villafañe, Eldin - Beyond Cheap Grace GRADING Your grade for the class will be based on the following percentages: Class participation 10% Required reading 20% Reflection paper 20% Final paper 50% 3
CLASS DEADLINES Due to the intensive nature of this course, it is essential that you complete appropriate readings prior to the beginning of our class sessions. This will allow us to accelerate our coverage of the material during our week of class. January 16, 2017 Complete reading of the Epistle to the Philippians five (5) times Complete reading of ALL required texts Complete reflection paper to be handed in during our first class session NOTE: Please complete the attached reading form to hand in during our first class session on January 16, 2017. February 27, 2017 Second reading form March 6, 2017 Final paper due 4
REQUIRED READING FORM NT / SE 507 The Cross and the Joy of Ministry The Message of Philippians for Today Deadline - January 16, 2017 IMPORTANT: Please turn in this reading form at the beginning of our class session Name of Student: Percent of Silva (pp 1-142) Philippians that I have read % Percent of Fernando The Call to Joy and Pain that I have read % I have read the Epistle to the Philippians at least five (5) times (circle one) Yes / No 5
REQUIRED READING FORM NT / SE 507 The Cross and the Joy of Ministry The Message of Philippians for Today Deadline - February 27, 2017 IMPORTANT: Please upload this reading form onto the Sakai platform Name of Student: Percent of Silva (pp 143-213) Philippians that I have read % Percent of Villafañe Beyond Cheap Grace that I have read % 6
SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY Bakirtzis, Charalambos, and Koester, Helmut. Philippi at the Time of Paul and After His Death. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 1998. Barth, Karl. The Epistle to the Philippians. Richard: John Knox Press, 1962. Bockmuehl, Markus. The Epistle to the Philippians. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.. Life Together. San Francisco: Harper, 1954. Bruce, F.F. Philippians. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1989. Fee, Gordon D. Paul s Letter to the Philippians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1995. Fernando, Ajith. The Call to Joy and Pain: Embracing Suffering in your Ministry. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007. Hawthorne, Gerald F. Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004. Motyer, J.A. The Message of Philippians. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1984. O Brien, Peter T. Commentary on Philippians. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1991. Reumann, John. Philippians. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008. Silva, Moises. Philippians. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005. Thielman, Frank. The NIV Application Commentary: Philippians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. Villafañe, Eldin. Beyond Cheap Grace: A Call to Radical Discipleship, Incarnation, and Justice. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2006. Witherington, B., III. Friendship and Finances in Philippi: The Letter of Paul to the Philippians. Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1994. 7