DI4615 New Testament Special Topic:

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr T J Lang

Dr T J Lang
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr T Lang

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

What did Paul preach? The answer might seem obvious: he was preaching the gospel. But what exactly was ‘my gospel’ (Paul’s words in Rom 2:16), and should it be distinguished from other gospels (cf. Rom 16:17)? In this module we shall consider key elements of the occasion, text, and purpose of Romans, in order to address this central issue in Pauline studies. The secondary literature has recently seen old and new perspectives being challenged by apocalyptic readings, and so we will take this new approach as our framework, engaging with its many critics. Lectures will cover topics such as Paul and Judaism, Paul and his opponents, and Paul and the Messiah, engaging with history, theology, and the biblical text. The result will be a better understanding of Paul the individual, his letter to the Romans, and the gospel that Paul preached. Throughout we will be engaging primarily with the English translation of the text of Romans.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS DI2003

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3-hour seminar (whole semester)

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

278

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the apocalypticview onPaul as an interpretative matrix by which to interpret Paul’s gospel.
  • confidently discuss and critique a number of exegetical issues that arise from selected texts in Romans
  • assess and balance competing arguments concerning history and theology in Pauline studies.
  • analyse and critically evaluate large amounts of informationconcerning a biblical text; and to develop their ability to interact effectively with complex arguments through class discussions.
  • exercise substantial autonomy in the management of their own learning.