Have we been missing something in Philemon?

Through a historically-rooted and considered reading of the text, with an eye to Onesimus’s role, this course offers a justice-oriented interpretation of Paul’s approach to the messy dynamics of ancient slavery. Prof. McCaulley argues that Paul uses his platform to upset Roman social hierarchies, reorder relationships within the church, and encourage liberation. This letter opens up possibilities not only for Philemon, but also for our involvement in the work of social transformation and justice today.

Course Outline

    1. Welcome to Love, Power, and Freedom

    1. Framing Questions

    2. A Text with a Legacy

    3. Review and Reflect

    1. Framing Questions

    2. Finding Onesimus

    3. Review and Reflect

    1. Framing Questions

    2. Community Involvement

    3. Review and Reflect

    1. Framing Questions

    2. Always Room to Grow

    3. Review and Reflect

    1. Framing Questions

    2. Love and Power

    3. Review and Reflect

About Love, Power, and Freedom

  • Free
  • 2 hours of video content

Meet Your Instructor

Esau McCaulley

Professor of New Testament

Rev. Esau McCaulley, PhD, is The Jonathan Blanchard Associate Professor of New Testament and Public Theology at Wheaton College. He is the author of many works including "Reading While Black," the children’s book "Josie Johnson's Hair and the Holy Spirit," and a memoir entitled "How Far to the Promised Land." He is series editor for The Fullness of Time series and a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. His writings have appeared in The Atlantic, Washington Post, and Christianity Today. He is married to Mandy, a pediatrician and Navy reservist. Together, they have four wonderful children.

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Courses developed for Admirato are made possible by the generous donations of people who support the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc., a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. Tuition paid enables us to provide scholarships for those in need and allows us to fund new courses and translations of existing courses, and we are able to offer courses at significant discounts. Admirato is the online home for N.T. Wright Online courses and other resources developed by the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc. Admirato exists as a legal entity under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc., and is considered part of the non-profit work according to the laws for 501c3 organizations.