REL 321 The Legacy of Paul
This course explores the theological conception of Christ in word and image. Both theologians and artists have depicted Jesus in multifaceted ways from the first centuries to the contemporary period. This course intends to examine the early Christological controversies on the divinity of Christ and explore cognate artistic "portraits" that express doctrinal Christological impressions as well as reveal more popular and accessible conceptions of Christ. By examining the conciliar Christological debates alongside visual representations of Christ, a greater understanding of resonant religious, historical, and art historical movements can be achieved. The course involves the study of scripture and theological writings, and the investigation of artistic "portraits" of Christ. These "portraits" include artistic evidence from the third century to the present (including film), and students are expected to compare textual renderings of Christ to artistic portrayals of Christ with the goal of realizing the long tradition and prescient impact these examples continually embody.
Notes
The writings of the first-century apostle Paul were arguably the most important component of creating the early Christian church. Paul’s letters richly informed Christian theology, and they also attract criticism due to the controversial language and approach the apostle utilizes in his writings. This course will examine the letters undoubtedly authored by Paul as well as the book of Acts’ treatment of the missionary journey of the apostle, and we analyze recent critical scholarship on Paul. This course will examine the historical context of the Pauline letters, and also assess the early Christian reception and incorporation of Paul, and its effect on other religions such as Judaism and Islam. Finally, this course will treat later and more contemporary assessments of Pauline thought and its impact.