1. The Epistles of Paul Galatians
audience: the churches of Northern Galatia, written from Ephesus
date: AD
themes: validity of Paul's apostolic mission
acceptance of Gentiles into the community (Jerusalem Council, Peter's duplicity)‏
covenant in Christ fulfills covenant with Abraham, the Law is no longer needed
freedom in faith

2. The Epistles of Paul Galatians
Points to note:
no thanksgiving, Paul is too angry to include one
Paul's anger/frustration cause him to be very blunt in this letter
anathemas
6 arguments for justification by faith, outside the Law (from R. Brown Introduction to the New Testament)‏
a) if Spirit was received without observing works of the Law,
how can those works be made necessary?
b) fufillment of promise to Abraham
c) the Law was a custodian of Israel until the heir (Christ) should come
d) why become slaves again when you have been freed?
e) how can one (Paul) whom they accepted now be an enemy?
f ) redefining the lesson of Abraham and his wives
paraenesis – freedom in the Spirit
passionate conclusion in 'my own hand'

3. The Epistles of Paul Romans
Audience: the churches in Rome, written from Corinth/Cenchreae
date: winter of 57/58
themes: Righteousness
Justification
Salvation

4. The Epistles of Paul Romans
Points to note: Paul's most thorough and organized presentation of his theology
Greeting and Thanksgiving
Doctrinal matters ( )
Righteousness (dikaiosune) (1.16-2)‏
Justification (3-4)‏
Sin since Adam (5 -6)‏
Law (7)‏
Glorification (8)‏
Salvation History, remnant (9-11)‏
Hortatory ( )‏
The Ethical Christian life (12-13)‏
unity, charity, orderliness, “love is fulfillment”
Tolerance and Endurance (14-15)‏
self-recommendation/last testament
26 individuals in Rome greeted in the conclusion

5. The Epistles of Paul Philippians
Audience: the community at Philippi
date: 56(?) uncertain, written while in prison (Ephesus?) – where and when are debated; possilby over a period of time, possibly another 'collection' of letters or parts thereof
themes: gratitude to the community
Paul's imprisonment
dangers of false teachers

6. The Epistles of Paul Philippians
Points to note: Christological hymn
Paul's zeal for Christ and warnings against false teachers possible multiple letters indicated by more than one greeting/farewell

7. The Epistles of Paul Philemon
Audience: Philemon, Apphia and Archippus and their house church
date: AD
theme: return of Onesimus the slave, brotherhood in Christ

8. The Epistles of Paul Philemon
Points to note: Paul's boldness in declaring a slave son/brother in Christ
Roman slavery
Onesimus a runaway
Paul will 'pay what is owed'
need for Philemon and Onesimus to reconcile
Paul's theology of freedom in Christ
situation reflects Paul's eschatology: imminent parousia

9. Pauline Theology Gospel revelatory apocalyptic salvific mystery
dynamic
kerygmatic
normative
promissory

10. Pauline Theology Christocentric Soteriology Christ crucified
Christ the Power of God
Christ the Wisdom of God

11. Pauline Theology Salvation History/Covenantal Fulfillment
God does all things for His people
God's “Wrath”
God's Righteousness/Fidelity
God's Love
the 'fulness of time'
Lawless, Under the Law, Eschaton

12. Pauline Theology Justification not through 'works of the Law'
a gift from God of faith, in faith, through faith
faith produces love (agape, philia)‏
love manifests in good works