Course Description

This course will be a careful study of Paul's short but powerful letter to the early Christian community in Philippi. Although Philippians is often called a letter of joy or a letter of friendship, we will see that it is much more.

We will begin with an overview of the city of Philippi and Paul's ministry there as depicted in the book of Acts and Philippians itself. Before working through the epistle chapter by chapter, we will take time to examine the so-called Philippian hymn (Phil 2:6–11) and gain an understanding of its central role in the letter. In addition to considering the basic content and argument of the letter to the Philippians, we will look at its contributions to theology (especially Christology) and to Christian understandings of spirituality, community, unity, and mission.

Class lectures will be interactive, and student participation, especially in groups, will permit close readings of key texts and discussion of the letter's contemporary significance as a letter for all who care about living the gospel in our conflicted world.