15. Paul as Pastor

Introduction to New Testament (RLST 152)

1 Corinthian and 2 Corinthians give us several snapshots of the development of the Corinthian church and Paul's relationship to it. In 1 Corinthians Paul is concerned with controversies that have been dividing the church, most probably along social status lines. The issues causing controversy include whether one should eat food sacrificed to idols, how one ought to conduct oneself sexually, the practice of speaking in tongues, and how Christians will be resurrected from the dead. 2 Corinthians shows that these issues seem to have been resolved. However, 2 Corinthians 10-13 (probably a separate letter) presents Paul in a defensive posture, struggling to justify his position over and against the new "super apostles" that have infiltrated the Corinthian church.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Paul to the Corinthians about the Resurrection of the Dead
12:54 - Chapter 2. The Historical and Social Context of the Church in Corinth
22:05 - Chapter 3. Issues of Controversy in the Corinthian Church
32:01 - Chapter 4. The Root of These Controversies

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2009.