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Philemon: Freedom and Bondage in Paul

Description:
The exegesis of the Epistle to Philemon is a course in advanced exegesis. It affords the student an opportunity to study in depth one of the most interesting and timely documents of the New Testament. That may come as a surprise; after all, it is diminutive in size and rarely the textual basis for a sermon. It is interesting, nonetheless, not only because it is one of the shortest "books" in the New Testament, but also because it both shares some similarities and exhibits many differences to other extant pauline epistles. It is addressed, for example, both to an individual and to the community of faith that gathered in that individual's household. It is timely because its theme - bondage and freedom - is central to the Christian gospel. It is also timely because we live in a day of theologies and popular ideologies which focus much attention on the theme of liberation. Somewhere between interesting and timely is the question: was Paul the supporter of such a dehumanizing institution as slavery?

The exegesis of this Epistle affords the student, moreover, four other important opportunities for study: 1) the brevity of the document itself and the focus on a single issue make it possible to explore the theme of "bondage and freedom" elsewhere in Paul and in other selected portions of scripture, and then to return to Philemon again and again in a conversation for interpretive clarity. 2) The role of history-of-religion comparison and the study of social context are so critical for this seminar that increased proficiency in the reading of extra-biblical primary sources in Greek will be a major side benefit. 3) In contrast to the methodology study of Bi 216, which did not focus - in the interest of a firsthand relationship to the text [of Mark] - on voices from the history of research, Bi 343 will attempt to attain an overview of secondary sources on the Epistle and the theme. 4) The exegetical and theological extension of the theme into the present will enable the student to view and ponder the shape of contemporary ethics from a well-defined vantage point and to engage in lively debate about the consequences of the study for our contemporary world (students are encouraged to integrate dialogue in this course with other concurrent didactic and conversational loci and preaching in local churches).

Expectations and Requirements:
The primary focus of our work together this semester will be the quality of classroom discussions. All class members will need to be present for every session (necessary absences are to be indicated in advance where possible) and assignments are to be prepared as thoroughly as possible. While certain individuals or groups may have special responsibilities for class presentations, all are expected to engage in the respectful sharing of their independent observations and reflections. All are equal partners in conversation.

In the spirit of partnership, the student has a choice with respect to the means of meeting a major portion of course requirements. One may elect which of the bibliographical sources to consult for dialogue and - in some cases - classroom reports and select one of the following options for concluding comprehensive assignment for the course: 1) three sermons based on Philemon or ancillary texts; 2) three didactic exercises [as an alternative to the sermons in #1] 3) a research paper [the pre-thesis experiment; no page limit]; 4) a research topic with oral examination at the end of the course [generally leading per agreement to engagement with #2]; 5) a Bi 216-type paper with a twenty page limit; 6) an imaginative essay based on your study of the Epistle and the question: what do you think was Philemon's response to this letter of Paul and why? 7) some other proposal.

Groups and Sessions:
In order to accommodate our large enrollment we shall have to divide up into work groups. Each group will select a convener moderator contact person (= a "cm"). This person will simply have the responsibility of coordinating the work of the group, being the person whom the professor can contact for clarifications and requests, and generally moderating the group's presentations in class sessions. The position of CM carries with it an honorarium of ten (10) participation points (cf. Grading below).

The class meets twice per week for one and one-half hours per session. The subject matter for preparation and discussion for each of the sessions is listed below under Course Outline. The Monday sessions, in general, are to be devoted to the work of the groups. Each of the groups will be preparing for a specific class presentation (cf. Course Outline). The material prepared for specific class presentation is to be available to the rest of the class (hard copy in mailboxes and/or Bi216 Website) by Wednesday noon of that week. The Monday group meeting places will be posted at the first plenary meeting of the class (February 8th). Friday sessions, as intimated above, will be devoted to plenary discussions of the material prepared by the groups and made available by mid-week to provide reflection time. These discussions should provide opportunity for clarifications and the development of our skills of dialogue and critical integration. We shall also seek to build on previous work toward an eventual synthesis for the edification of both mind and spirit. The presenter group edits, corrects or otherwise supplements the content of the Friday presentation and discussion for summary posting on the website during the initial portion of its work the following Monday.

Grading:
Class Participation [discussion and presentations] = 50%
Selected Option for Comprehensive Project = 50%

Course Outline:
The following is a tentative breakdown of the focus for each class session:

Session    Day/ Date    Material to be covered

     1          M - Feb 8    Introduction: Philemon and its Interpretive Challenge
Rough Translation assignments for Friday: Gr. I = vv. 1-3 and 23-25; Gr. II = vv. 4-14; Gr. III = vv. 15-22; Gr. IV = critical apparatus

     2          F - Feb 12    Plenary discussion of the Greek text of Philemon

     3          M - Feb 15   
Gr. I - Philemon in comparison to the openings and closings of other epistles in the pauline corpus; apostolic consciousness and the epistolary genre; the locus of speech about bondage and freedom (for session #4 on Feb. 19 [remember to distribute material by Wednesday the 17th])

Gr. II - "oikos" and "ekklesia" (household and church): the context for bondage and freedom. A comparison of the "household codes" and selected manumission papyri (for session #6 on Feb. 26).

Gr. III - "koinonia" and "splagchna" and Christian parenesis (vv. 6ff; 17; 21): learning to weigh and talk about bondage and freedom in a pauline way (for session #8 on March 5).

Gr. IV - "to anekon" (duty, the fitting thing), "achreston/euchreston" (unuseful/well-useful), "onesimon/onaimen = oninemi" (useful/be beneficial): standards of measuring bondage and freedom (for session #10 on March 12).

     4          F - Feb 19    Group I - presentation and discussion of apostolic consciousness as expressed in the openings and closings of the pauline epistle: the locus of speech about bondage and freedom.

     5          M - Feb 22   
Gr. I - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion on Feb. 19 for summary posting on the website; begin work on topic: bondage, freedom, and time. "Nuni de" "pros oran /aionion" (vv. 9, 11, 15; the eschatological "but now" in Paul; "for the present hour/forever"). This new topic is to be presented in session #12 on March 26.

Gr. II - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of Feb. 19 and its implications for the upcoming presentation on Feb. 26. Finalize handout material for distribution on Wednesday the 24th and Friday's discussion. Preliminary preparations for new topic after Spring Break: freedom, bondage, and the "new creature"; "uper doulon", "adelphon" "en sarki /en kurio" and "uper a" ("a beyond-slave" "brothered-one" "in the flesh/in the Lord" "beyond what things" vv. 16, 21). This new topic is to be presented in session #14 on April 9.

Gr. III - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of Feb. 19 and its implications for your work done to date and possible implications for upcoming presentation on March 5. Preliminary preparations for new topic after Spring Break: freedom, bondage, and economics/debt; "opheilei" (he owes; vv. 18f). This new topic is to be presented in session #16 on April 16.

Gr. IV - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of Feb. 19 and its implications for you work done to date and possible implications for upcoming presentation on March 12. Preliminary preparations for new topic after Spring Break: hospitality, hope, prayer, and becoming a gift of God; "xenian" "elpizo / elpis", "proseuchomai/ proseuche," and "charizomai." (v. 22). This new topic is to be presented in session #18 on April 23.

     6          F - Feb 26    Group II - presentation and discussion of "oikos" and "ekklesia" as the context for bondage and freedom; household codes and manumission papyri.

     7          M - Mar 1   
Gr. I - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of Feb. 26 and its implications for your work done to date and possible implications for upcoming presentation on March 26.

Gr. II - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion on Feb. 26 for summary posting; continue work on new topic for presentation on April 9.

Gr. III - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of Feb. 26 and its implications for the upcoming presentation on March 5. Finalize handout material for distribution on Wednesday the 3rd and Friday's discussion. Anticipate upcoming presentation on April 16.

Gr. IV - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion on Feb. 26; implications for your work done to date and possible implications for upcoming presentation on March 12. Anticipate upcoming presentation on April 23.

     8          F - Mar 5    Group III - presentation and discussion of "koinonia" "splagchna" Christian parenesis and learning to talk about bondage and freedom in a pauline way.

     9          M - Mar 8   
Gr. 1 - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 5 and its implications for your work done to date and for the March 26 presentation.

Gr. II - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 5 and its implications for your work done to date and for the April 9 presentation.

Gr. III - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion on March 5 for summary posting; continue work on new topic for presentation on April 16.

Gr. IV - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 5 and its implications for the upcoming presentation on March 12. Finalize handout material for distribution on Wednesday the 10th and Friday's discussion. Anticipate upcoming presentation on April 23.

     10          F - Mar 12    Group IV - presentation and discussion of "to ankon" (duty, the fitting thing), "achreston /euchreston" (unuseful/well-useful), "onesimon/oninemi" (useful/be beneficial): standards for measuring bondage and freedom.

         March 15-19        Spring Break

     11          M - Mar 22   
Gr. I - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 12 and its implications for the upcoming presentation on March 26. Finalize handout material for distribution on Wednesday the 24th and Friday's discussion.

Gr. II - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 12 and its implications for your work done to date and for the April 9 presentation.

Gr. III - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 12 and its implications for your work done to date and for the April 16 presentation.

Gr. IV - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion on March 12 for summary posting; continue work on new topic for presentation on April 23.

     12          F - Mar 26      Group I - presentation and discussion of bondage, freedom, and time. "Nuni de" "pros oran /aionion" (vv. 9, 11, 15; the eschatological "but now" in Paul; "for the present hour/ forever").

         March 29 - April 4    Holy Week

     13          M - Apr 5   
Gr. I - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion of March 26 for summary posting on the website.

Gr. II - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 26 and its implications for your work done to date and for the April 9 presentation. Finalize handout material for distribution on Wednesday the 7th and Friday's discussion.

Gr. III - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 26 and its implications for your work done to date and for the April 16 presentation.

Gr. IV - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of March 26 and its implications for your work done to date and for the upcoming presentation on April 23.

     14          F - Apr 9    Group II - presentation and discussion of bondage, freedom and the "new creation"; "uper doulon" "adelphon" "en sarki /en kurio" and "uper a" ("a beyond-slave" "brothered-one" "in the flesh/in the Lord" "beyond what things" vv. 16, 21).

     15          M - Apr 12   
Gr. I - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 9 and its implications for your work done to date.

Gr. II - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion of April 9 for summary posting on the website.

Gr. III - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 9 and its implications for your work done to date and for the April 16 presentation. Finalize handout material for distribution on Wednesday the 14th and Friday's discussion.

Gr. IV - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 9 and its implications for your work done to date and for the upcoming presentation on April 23.

     16          F - Apr 16    Group III - presentation and discussion of freedom, bondage, and economics/debt; "opheilei" (he owes; vv. 18f).

     17          M - Apr 19   
Gr. I - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 16 and its implications for your work done to date.

Gr. II - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 16 and its implications for your work done to date.

Gr. III - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion of April 16 for summary posting on the website.

Gr. IV - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 16 and its implications for your work done to date and for the April 23 presentation. Finalize handout material for distribution on Wednesday the 21st and Friday's discussion.

     18          F - Apr 23    Group IV - presentation and discussion of hospitality, hope, prayer, and becoming a gift of God; "xenian" "elpizo /elpis", "proseuchomai/proseuche" and "charizomai." (v. 22).

     19          M - Apr 26   
Gr. I - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 23 and its implications for your work done to date.

Gr. II - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 23 and its implications for your work done to date.
Gr. III - reflections in a small group setting on the plenary discussion of April 23 and its implications for your work done to date.

Gr. IV - reflections and revisions on work from the discussion of April 23 for summary posting on the website.

     20          F - Apr 30    Special Reports and Reviews

     21          M - May 3    Summary and Conclusions

     22          F - May 7    Summary and Conclusions

                 May 10-14      Reading Week

                 May 17-21     Finals Week - Comprehensive written assignment(s) due on Friday, May 21.

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