Write a four-five page paper on one of the following topics:

1.  What is Paulís view of the Jewish law and this new religionís (Christianityís) relationship with the Jewish law?  Paul himself says that he was a devout Pharisee, but it seems that his view of the Jewish law changed when he began to believe in Jesus Christ.  How did it change?  How is our understanding of Paulís views limited by the fact that he wrote primarily to Gentiles (non-Jews)?  From Paulís letters, does it look like everyone agreed with Paul?  What do Paulís letters tell us about emerging Christian self-identityóhow Christians may have seen themselves in relationship to Judaism?

OR

2.  Paulís letters tell us a bit about the social status of people in the earliest Christian churches.  What did Paul think about social class divisions and particularly slavery in Roman society?  Does he approve of slavery or distinctions between people based on class?  disapprove?  or something in between?  Do you think his views on social status were influenced by a belief that the end of the world was coming soon, or by other religious beliefs?  Was Paulís perspective shared by the authors of the deutero-Pauline epistles and Pastoral epistles?

Your paper should be based on your own reading and interpretations of the assignments in class.  For the purposes of this paper, you should follow the prevailing scholarly opinion regarding which letters of Paul are authentic and which are not.  In other words, you should write under the assumption that Paul probably didnít write the deutero-Pauline epistles and definitely did not write the Pastorals.

Your essay should have one, over-arching thesis which you are arguing.  Present an argument, and present the evidence in support of your argument.  A really good paper also will address counter arguments and convince the reader why your interpretation is better than other interpretations of the New Testament.  You should base all of your arguments on the texts and provide examples from primary sources.

Since you will only use sources from class, you do not need to attach a bibliography.  Rather, use parenthetical citations.  For secondary sources, give the author and the page number, such as (Ehrman, 227).  For primary sources, give an abbreviated version of the title and then chapter and verse numbers, such as (1 Thess, 1:1) or (Gal 3:28).  If you cite information from a class lecture or discussion, simply write in parentheses "Class," and then the date, such as (Class, 10/23/01).

Cite your references carefully.  If you quote directly from any text, put the passage in quotation marks and provide a parenthetical reference with page numbers.  Provide references for ideas you get from your sources which you do NOT quote directly.  If you get an idea from someone else, you must give them credit, even if you put it into your own words.

You will be graded on the effectiveness of your argument and use of evidence as well as grammar and spelling.

Here are some nuts-and-bolts to keep in mind:
    * Type/print your paper
    * Your paper should be double-spaced, on one side of each piece of paper
    * Margins should be no more than 1 inch on each side, and fonts should be no larger than 12-point
    * Proofread, proofread, proofread
    * Be sure your name, the name of the class, and the title of your paper is on the first page
    * Staple your paper
    * Cite your sources correctly!!!
    * Follow instructions!!!

Your paper is due at the beginning of class on November 15.  If you complete a draft of your paper by November 13, you may bring it to class, and I will email you comments on the morning of November 14.

You are also welcome to see me during office hours to discuss outlines or ideas for your papers.
Drop-in office hours are Tuesdays 1-2 and Thursdays 4-5, or you can make an appointment.