BI 522 – Corinthian Letters

Spring 2015 Syllabus

Gary Spaeth

I.  Course Description

This course is an in-depth study of the first and second letters of the apostle Paul addressed to the church in Corinth. First Corinthians is unique among the Pauline letters because of the variety of practical concerns. Second Corinthians is one of Paul’s most personal letters, containing a wealth of insight into the heart of Paul, the Pastor. Both letters reveal the degree to which Paul identified with his churches, suffered in their shortcomings, and celebrated in their victories.

II.  Course Objectives

The student who successfully completes this course will be able to: / Institutional Objectives* / Program Objectives* / Course
Requirement
(Assignment)
1 / Describe the historical setting in which the Apostle Paul wrote these two epistles. / 1 / 1, 2 / A1, A2, B1
2 / Explain the structure of 1 and 2 Corinthians. / 1 / 1 / A1, A2
3 / Identify problems and challenges addressed by the Apostle Paul in this local church and how they are relevant to the work of the ministry in today’s age. / 1, 2, / 1, 4 / A1, B2
4 / Explain the biblical teaching on marriage and divorce, the gift of tongues, and authority in the home. / 2 / 1, 3, 4 / A1, A2, B2
5 / Handle difficult passages and provide clear biblical teaching on each text. / 1, 2 / 1, 3, 4 / B2
6 / Elaborate on the heart of this first century apostle who was used mightily by God. / 1, 2 / 1, 2 / A1, A2, B1
7 / To be able to see each student successfully pass a comprehensive exam at the end of the course. / 1 / 1 / C

III.  Requirements

A.  Reading

1.  Read 1 and 2 Corinthians / Chapter summaries

The student is required to read First and Second Corinthians thoroughly and methodically four (4) times. The required reading is critical to the overall final grade and will assist in familiarization for lectures.

The Student will also submit a typed summary of each chapter of 1 and 2 Corinthians. The summary should focus on the main teachings of each chapter with one or more applications to the teachings. Also include the key word or phrase of the chapter and the key verse if appropriate.

1 Corinthians reading due March 10th

2 Corinthians reading due April 23th

2.  Read class textbooks

The Student is to purchase and read Exploring 1 Corinthians/Exploring 2 Corinthians by John Phillips.

Type a double-spaced, 2-3 page synopsis of his commentaries (i.e. his thoroughness, attention to details, outlines, etc.) Include a statement confirming you have read the textbooks.

Exploring 1 Corinthians - due February 24th

Exploring 2 Corinthians - due April 14th

B.  Projects

1.  Historical Background of I and 2 Corinthians - due: February 10th

The Student will submit a 700 word double-spaced essay on the historical background of the city of Corinth in Paul’s day. Include its: beginning, strategic location, complex population and its corrupt morals. (Along with the paper you may include research and pictures of the city of Corinth.)

2.  Two (2) Position Papers – due Feb. 17th April 2nd

The student will submit two (2) position papers using at least four (4) sources, of which two (2) are from theological Journals. The use of these sources must be noted in the paper as well as identified in the bibliography.

The Form of the paper should include the following:

§  State the issue clearly in your introduction

§  Identify the various view associated with this problem

§  Express the position you take on this issue

§  Defend your position with evidence from Scripture.

§  Comment on the practical side of this issue.

§  Write a brief conclusion and restate how you proved your view

Content will be the primary grading factor, but clarity, neatness, accuracy, and spelling will affect the grade. Your paper should be at least four (4) pages long or two thousand (2000) words.

Possible Topics/Passages

1.  The Biblical practice of tongues (1 Corinthians 12-14)

2.  Paul’s view of marriage and divorce (1 Corinthians 7)

3.  Our freedom in Christ (1 Corinthians 8-9)

  1. The use of head covering (1 Corinthians 11)
  2. The gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12)
  3. The anointing (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
  4. The old things are gone (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  5. The separation of the believer (2 Corinthians 6)
  6. Principles of giving and our support raising efforts (2 Corinthians 8-9)
  7. The significance of Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12)

Guidelines for submitting assignments

All assignments must follow these guidelines or they may be returned ungraded.

·  First page must be a Cover Page (A sample is included with this syllabus)

·  Margins set to one (1) inch

·  Page numbers on the bottom right of every page except for the cover page

·  Times New Romans or equivalent twelve (12) point font

·  All papers and projects must be the student’s own work. No student is permitted to work with another person on any paper or project unless the instructor has given his permission.

All papers should be emailed using either Microsoft Word or PDF format by 5:00 PM of the date due. The class code BI 522 and the title of the assignment MUST appear in the subject line of the email for you to get credit for your work.

Once submitted, you should receive a confirmation email from me verifying I received the assignment. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of sending, please contact me immediately so you do not loose credit for the assignment.

Late Project policy:

All class requirements are to be turned in by 5:00 PM the day they are due – Any assignment turned in after 5:00 PM will receive a grade of 0%. Absolutely no late assignments will be accepted, as per the policy of West Coast Baptist College.

If you have a question or an emergency comes up, please talk with your instructor for a possible solution before the due date. No excuses will be accepted after the due date.

C.  Exams

Midterm Exam – March 12th

Final Exam – April 30th - 7:30-8:50 AM

IV.  Grading

Your grade will consist of the following:

Reading

1 & 2 Corinthians 20%

Text Books 10%

Projects

Historical Background 10%

Position Papers 30%

Exams

Midterm 15%

Final Exam 15%

V.  Spiritual and Academic Integrity

Classroom Behavior:

A.  Arrive on time!! If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to see the instructor after class to ensure your attendance has been recorded. Failure to do so will result in being marked absent for class. Please see instructor prior to the start of class if you need to leave early.

B.  No Sleeping during class! If you find yourself starting to fall asleep, you may stand in the back of the room until you are alert.

C.  No texting or use of mobile phone allowed, except for the purpose of taking notes.

D.  The use of the internet is not permitted during class, except by direction of the instructor.

E.  Each student must participate in class discussions.

F.  Bring notebook or computer to class to take notes.

Attendance Policy

If you are anywhere from 1 to 9 minutes late, you will be counted as late. If you are 10 minutes or more late, you will be counted as absent. If you leave class 10 minutes or more early, you will be counted as absent. You are responsible to get the class notes from other students.

In your student portal, you are able to track your attendance. If you miss more than fifteen (15) percent of this class (3.5 days), you will be automatically dropped from the roster and receive an “F” for the course. The amount missed contains the accumulation of tardies, cuts, and any other absences.

If you are absent on a quiz or test day, it is your responsibility to know what you have missed. Each student will have 48 hours (excluding weekends) from the end of class to make up the missed test or quiz. If these are not made up within that time frame, they will be recorded as a 0.

Make-up times for quizzes and exams:

6:45-7:20 Tuesday-Friday mornings

1:00-2:00 Monday-Friday afternoons


Academic Honesty:

West Coast Baptist College stresses excellence of character along with excellence in achievement and therefore does not tolerate cheating in any form. Second Corinthians 8:21clearly admonishes us to be honest: "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."

Because cheating is a violation of God's Word, its occurrence may warrant expulsion from the college, automatic failure of the course, or other significant academic penalties imposed by the individual instructor. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to the following:

1.  Cheating on a test or assignment. Cheating is defined as knowingly giving or receiving information relative to written assignments, tests, quizzes, or exams in an unauthorized fashion.

2.  Handing in the same paper or substituting a similar paper in more than one class without the written permission of all instructors involved.

3.  Sharing or receiving advance information regarding the content or answers for a quiz, test, or exam.

4.  Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as: a) representing as the student's own the words or unique thoughts of another; or b) failing to differentiate accurately material original with the student from that obtained from other sources. Submitting the work of someone else as the student's own work, whether intentionally or not, will be viewed and treated as plagiarism. Plagiarism is a form of cheating. There is no good reason for failing to properly document original sources. Pleading ignorance of what constitutes plagiarism, therefore, is not an acceptable defense for the act of plagiarism.

5.  Submitting as the student's own work (papers or projects) materials unethically or inappropriately enhanced by another student or typist without the specific written permission of the instructor. Typists or proofreaders must be careful to avoid making corrections or alterations which change the creative or intellectual content or quality of the work.

6.  Cyber-plagiarism. Cyber-plagiarism is defined as downloading from the Internet or other electronic sources information or term papers that are submitted as the student's own work. Downloading papers for submission as one's own work or for the purpose of assisting another student is a breach of academic honesty, which may result in class failure or expulsion from the college.

7.  Cyber-collaboration. Cyber-collaboration is defined as unauthorized transmittal by electronic means work produced by another student. Unless the instructor gives specific permission, students are not authorized to send copies of homework, quizzes, tests, exams, or projects to other students via email or any other means for any reason.

Another author’s specific words must be placed within quotation marks with an appropriate reference given. Another author’s ideas must include an appropriate reference. You may choose to use appropriate footnotes, endnotes, or parenthetical references. Any student caught plagiarizing will receive a 0 for the assignment and may receive a 0 for the class.

Bibliography

1 Corinthians

Bruce, F. F. 1 and 2 Corinthians. New Century Bible. London: Marshall, Morgan and Scott, Oliphants, 1971.

Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1987.

Garland, D. E. (2003). 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

Hughes, Philip Edgcumbe. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1962.

Morris, Leon. The First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1958.

2 Corinthians

Barnett, P. (1988). The message of 2 Corinthians: power in weakness. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Bruce, F. F., ed. 1 and 2 Corinthians. New Century Bible. London: Marshall, Morgan, 1971.

Harris, M. J. (1976). 2 Corinthians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians (Vol. 10). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Hughes, P. E. (1962). Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Martin, Ralph P. 2 Corinthians. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco: Word Books, 1986.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). 2 Corinthians (p. 1). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Cover page Example

1 inch margins

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WEST COAST BAPTIST COLLEGE

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POSITION PAPER ONE

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A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO

BROTHER GARY SPAETH

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

BI 522

CORINTHIAN LETTERS

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BY

JOHN DOE

BOX #

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LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA

17 FEBRUARY 2015