Course Descriptions

HIST 6/471 The Life and Times of Paul - Credit Hours: 3

Semester normally offered: Alternate Fall Semesters

Course Description

A narrative study of the life of Paul in Acts in light of historical, cultural and geographical backgrounds with application to Christian faith and practice.

Course Equivalencies

• Geography
• History
• Biblical Studies
• New Testament

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• obtain a general overview of the life of Paul recounted in the Book of Acts;
• identify the routes Paul likely travelled, the cities he visited, and the events that took place in each city;
• gain a basic understanding of the people groups Paul encountered and the historical, cultural, and geographical settings in which he travelled;
• recognize Paul’s missiological methodology and the factors that led to Christianity becoming a global movement; and
• acquire a template from Paul’s life that will inform and calibrate Christian faith, practice, and witness.

Field Study

There is a two-part field study related to this course:

Greece Field Study: Students will embark on a seven-day historical and archaeological field study to cities in Greece visited by Paul during his second and third missionary journeys. This Greece field study is mandatory for all online and in-residence students taking the course for credit, as well as in-residence audit students.
Total cost will be communicated prior to registration. Cost does not include flights.

Israel Field Study: One day in the field visiting sites related to the arrest of Paul in Jerusalem and his confinement and trials at Caesarea Maritima. This field study is mandatory for in-residence students.
Total cost will be communicated prior to registration. Cost does not include flights.