In this advance degree course, students will engage in close critical readings of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian believers. The class will discuss Paul’s reasons for writing, his rhetorical responses to the perceived problems among the Corinthian believers, and issues of power, authority, and hierarchy. The readings will consider historical and literary contexts. Students will put First Corinthians in conversation with issues of knowledge production, enslavement, race, gender, sexuality, and other contemporary justice issues. Prerequisite: Master’s level seminary degree or New Testament Interpretation course.