Chapter 3 The Apostle Paul: his thought and context

Questions to be addressed in this chapter 1.Who was Paul? 2.What influence did Paul’s former commitment to Judaism have on his Christian thought? 3.How does Paul understand the end times and Christ’s resurrection? 4.What is salvation? 5.What is expected of Christians?

Paul’s Christian beliefs Since the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, the standard interpretation of Paul has him reacting against the Pharisees and Judaizing Christians. In recent decades, however, there has been an important new perspective on Paul that began with the work of E. P. Sanders.

Writings attributed to Paul in the New Testament Undisputed Questioned More strongly disputed RomansEphesians 1&2 Timothy 1&2 Corinthians Colossians Titus Galatians2 Thessalonians Philippians 1 Thessalonians Philemon

Paul the Pharisee Paul aligned himself with a militant, extremist Jewish sect of Pharisees. By the end of the first century, there were at least two very distinct sects of Jewish Pharisees—moderate and lenient ones known as Hillelites, and strict, hard-liners known as Shammaites.

Hillel and Shammai These were two of the greatest rabbis of the Second Temple period of Judaism, and each developed devoted followings during the first century. Hillel generally took a more open and lenient interpretation of the Jewish law, while Shammai pushed for strict adherence. Hillel was the president of the Sanhedrin, or chief ruling council of the Jews, in Jerusalem until his death around 10 CE, and then Shammai took over. Each of their schools exercised significant influence on Judaism over the first few centuries of the Common Era.

The Resurrection The Pharisees expected a resurrection of the dead, but this was to occur in the last days—vindicating the people of God and allowing them to share in the glorious kingdom of God. Contrary to his earlier beliefs, after his conversion experience Paul affirmed that Jesus of Nazareth had been raised from the dead. He believed that Jesus would return and usher in a new kingdom age.

Paul’s Gospel Paul’s Gospel was not some formula about how to become a Christian; it was simply the amazing good news that Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, had been revealed as Lord of the universe. Paul believed that he had been given the task of bringing that news to the Gentiles (see Ephesians 3:8) so that they might understand that they too could align themselves with Christ the King.

Paul and the Christian life Paul lived in a time when it was commonplace for practitioners of all religions and ethical systems to be engaged in physical activities for the purpose of spiritual benefits. Paul’s instructions were for Christians to train their bodies in ways that would come to sustain positive moral and spiritual habits. But Paul emphasized throughout his letters the responsibility that individuals had for doing the sorts of things that mature believers ought to be doing so that God would continue to work his grace in their lives. These two emphases are conjoined in his passage, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you” (Phil. 2:12-13).

Summary of main points 1.Paul was a Jew from Tarsus who converted to Christianity after persecuting Christians as part of a hard-line sect within Judaism. 2.Paul’s Christian thought retained an essentially Jewish character, but he accepted that Jesus was the long-awaited messiah who ushered in the end times. 3.Christ’s resurrection was the definitive sign that he had been justified by God and that the last days had begun and would culminate with Christ’s return. 4.All people—not just Jews—were able to share in the blessing inaugurated with Abraham and be resurrected to eternal life in the kingdom of God. 5.Christians in this life are to be conformed more and more to the likeness of Christ as they participate in spiritual training.