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Some Suggested Topics for Research Papers on Paul       RelSt 436 
                                                     R.Kraft 3/94

Focus on Perspectives and Primary Sources Attributed to Paul

Paul's Use(s) of Jewish Scriptures
Paul's Attitude(s) to Jewish Torah (or to Judaism, or to Jesus)
Paul's Attitudes towards Jewish Eschatology and Apocalyptic
Evidence in Paul's Writings of Earlier "Christian" Materials
The Purpose of Paul's Letter to the Galatians
Paul's Opponents in Galatia
Pauline Letters to Western Asia Minor (Laod, Eph, Col, etc.)
Paul and the Christians in Macedonia (Philippi, Thess., etc.)
Paul and Corinth: their Problems, his Letters, his Opponents
Setting and Analysis of Paul's "3 Corinthians"
Paul and Rome: his Letter and Visit(s)
Origin and Setting of Paul's "Pastoral Epistles"
The Correspondence Between Paul and Seneca

Focus on Paul in Relation to  Ancient Secondary Sources

Did the Author of Acts Know Paul's Letters?
Paul's Turning to Christ According to Paul and Acts
The Message of Paul in Acts, Apocryphal Acts, and his Letters
Paul's Final Travels and Death (Acts of Peter/Paul, etc.)
Paul as a Conveyer of Apocalyptic Materials

Paul's Reception by Early Christian Readers

Marcion's Edition and Uses of Paul
Paul's Reception by "Jewish Christianity"
Pauline Dualism and "Gnostical" Hellenistic Thought
The Uses of Paul in Gnostic Sources
The Uses of Paul in anti-Gnostic Sources