Course Descriptions

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

Semester normally offered: Fall

Course Description

This course is a narrative study of the life of Paul in Acts in light of historical, cultural, and geographical backgrounds with application to Christian faith, practice, and witness.

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

Greece Field Study: At the conclusion of the semester, students will embark on a seven-day field study, studying the historical and archaeological background of cities visited by Paul during his second and third missionary journeys. Students will spend time in Thessaloniki, Philippi, Berea, Delphi, Olympia, Corinth, and Athens, including a day in and around the medieval monasteries perched on the formations of Meteora. The itinerary includes two travel days and seven days in Greece. This field study is mandatory for all students taking the course for credit. It is optional for audit students.