Scripture and theology agree that at my core I am a bad person. Romans 3:23 stated that “everyone has sinned, and we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” and earlier in Romans Paul lists what the scriptures say about all individuals. This list does not vary from what social psychology says about humanity: we are not wise, our speech is not kind or good, we commit murder and destruction, we cannot know peace, and not a single one of us is capable of doing good. In the surrounding verses, Paul goes on to explain that we are only righteous—we can only be good—through the grace of God and the actions of Jesus Christ. Philip Esler (2003), based on this passage, stated that “the human condition has changed now; people can and do become righteous… …show more content…
280). Paul responded to this question by quoting passages from Hosea and Isiah in his letter, he stated that God will “call those who are not his people, his people, and the unloved beloved.” In the Christian tradition who I am is dependent on what God says that I am, because it is through Jesus Christ that I discover my true self. If God says I am his beloved, then who I am and how I perceive myself changes greatly. This drastically changes how I act and how I think about myself: if I truly believe that I am God’s beloved it seeps into my daily life. It becomes easier to love people genuinely even when someone frustrates me because it is easier to love myself. I am kinder and more accepting to all individuals because I have grace for myself. I am more aware of how my words and actions effect and impact others because I am more aware of myself. Being God’s beloved is a blessing, and I am glad that it is part of my …show more content…
I judge others more harshly than I judge myself, because there is always an external reason whenever I do a bad thing. I lie and misrepresent myself in order impress others, because I want other people to like me. I do not always rely on true information before making assumptions because I am lazy. I like to think well of myself, my bad behaviors are situational but other’s bad behaviors are dispositional. I am often afraid of self-awareness because I do not like to see myself for who I really am because my beliefs and actions are not always congruent. I am selfish. Self-esteem is so important to me that I am willing to lie not only to others but also to myself in order to protect it. I am not always sincere. I am self-serving. I have addictive tendencies. I am invested in protecting myself, more specifically the image that I project to
Paul’s advise to the slaves totally aligns with the way he lived out his life. He was a zealous man and who gave 100% of himself in all that he did, including the persecution of Christians prior to his conversion. Even during his ministry, he continued his profession as a tentmaker so he wouldn’t burden the church financially. In his own words, he described the effort he put into his ministry, “To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:29 NIV) and “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV). Paul lived his life in total submission to Christ, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians
Putting pen to paper, Paul pleas with the Corinthians to better themselves through Christ Jesus. While in discourse with the Corinthians, the polemic language of Paul becomes, at times, difficult to digest. While pursuing a better relationship with the believers in Corinth, the apostle often used terms such as ‘we,’ ‘our,’ and ‘us.’ These pronouns can be understood in multiple ways; however, the manner in which they are comprehended sheds light on Paul’s agenda. In the analysis of 2 Corinthians 4: 8-18, the pronouns are best understood as being inclusive in terms of Paul, his followers, and the believers in Corinth.
Paul of Tarsus (originally Saul of Tarsus) is widely considered to be central to the early development and adoption of Christianity. Many Christians view him as an important interpreter of the teachings of Jesus. Little is known of the birth and early childhood of Paul, then known as Saul. It is known in the scriptures that he was born in the city of Tarsus (Acts 22:3) located in the Roman province of Cilicia around the year 5 A.D. Saul left his home during his early adolescence and was taken to Jerusalem for his formal education in the most prominent rabbinical schools of that day. Young Saul had the privilege to be trained by Gamaliel, the most outstanding
Compare the teachings of Jesus with those of Paul. Why do you think some people consider Paul the second founder (or even the true founder) of Christianity?
Analyse the contribution that Paul of Tarsus had on the development and expression of Christianity.
Christianity over the course of history has a vast influence on individuals, society and the way believers conduct themselves. It provides morals, practices and ethics that every Christian attempts to live by. Throughout the many denominations in the Christian church, Paul of Tarsus had a significant influence on the faith. His contribution to the development and expression of Christianity is immense and can be seen to stem from his writing and missionary journeys which have implemented his ideas and interpretations onto the development of Christianity. After Jesus, Paul was arguably the most significant figure in Christianity as his teachings form a significant part of the New Testament. Like may other Pharisees of that time in history, Paul sought to suppress the early Christian movement. He accused early Christians of blaspheming against God and breaking Mosaic Law. However, Paul had a life-changing experience when he had a vision of Jesus, and he spent the remainder of his life as a missionary for the early church. Centuries after his ministry, his teachings still influence Christian theology.
The historical context of this Pauline letter shows the tension between Jewish people and Gentile people. In fact, Paul knows that this is enmity comes from centuries and both sides are not interested in pursuing any reconciliation. Therefore, besides the official records of the historian Josephus where it has been described the great hostility toward the Jewish community in Ephesus; historians do not have more additional information about this problem. In his epistle the Apostle Paul highlights that Jesus Christ has ended this enmity among these two nations by abolishing the Law. Paul’s argument makes a lot controversy among the religious people because they have a high standard of the Law, in fact, they would do everything to keep the Law.
The Apostle Paul preached the Gospel of Christ to Palestine, Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. At first the church wasn’t welcome in Rome. The monotheism of the Christian church conflicted with the polytheism of Rome. The Romans believed that everything was inhabited by divinity. But, as they conquered more people, they began to adapt their beliefs. The Roman emperors persecuted Christians. In 313, Emperor Constantine proclaimed the edict of Milan. This made Christianity a legal religion of Rome. This also gave the Christian clergy legal privileges. Constantine had tried to make the best use of Christianity that had spread throughout the entire region of Rome. Because he thought that Christianity could solidify his empire. By approving Christianity
It seems strange that so little is known biographically about one of the most important figures in Christian history, but this only serves to add to the mystery and grandeur surrounding the Apostle Paul of Tarsus. Much, however, is known of the time after his conversion to Christ and what he did to contribute to Christianity in this period, and it is this that leaves a greater legacy than the simple facts of his life. The contributions that he made towards the cause of Christ and the spreading and formation of Christianity are what he is perennially remembered for.
Paul of Tarsus was not one of the original twelve apostles, but apparently he had an epiphany while traveling to Damascus and became a Christian. Even more than that, Paul founded many of the tenets of Christianity and transformed it into a universal religion. Because of Paul, Christianity wasn 't limited to Judaism, but became a Greco-Roman religion, open to all. He made Jesus divine, born of a Virgin, descended from the House of David, laid the basis for Original Sin, redefined the definition of "chosen people" to mean those who accept Jesus as Savior and put forth the idea of transubstantiation. Note that the Gospels were written after Paul 's conversion and his own writings.
I was born and raised a Catholic. The points that Paul Kivel brought up twist what I was always taught regarding Christianity. I was taught to love every one and to treat others the way that I wish to be treated. Kivel explained that Christianity is the reason there are so many bad things that happen in the world today. However, this is not true because it is people’s decisions that can cause harm. I believe that any person whether Catholic, Lutheran, male, female, etc., is capable of making a positive impact on those around them and also just as capable of harming others.
Question 1: Outline the contribution of Paul of the Tarsus to the expression of Christianity.
Paul talks about the natural world in a few ways. One being that, all of God’s people live on this earth and no one is perfect. As Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” He is saying that this world is not heaven. We are all human and we make mistakes. Much like the people in Romans 1:18-32. The people were so consumed by the nature of their sin and the satisfaction that it brought, that they would completely disobey Gods commands to continue living in this sin. This world is crawling with sin and Paul is telling them they need to come to God and confess their sins before the day of judgment or they will be justly punished as it says in Romans 2:6 “ God, will repay each person according to what they have done”.
Many scholars believe that Pauline theology is at the heart of the New Testament witness and Christian faith. It represents the oldest detailed statement of a coherent Christian theology available to us. (Ludwig et al. p.127). As “apostle of the nations” …he understood that all people are called by God to a very great glory” (The Pontifical Biblical
Paul an apostle of Christ to my fellow laborers in the work of spreading the teachings of Christ, peace and blessings to you. I pray that you have grown in the knowledge I left with you and the grace that we all given each day as we serve God. I pray my letter reaches the community in good spirits as I left you with much work to do in the building of the Church. I have made it to Patara several days ago and was pleased to see my fellow laborers in the gospel. I was met here by Matthias and Steven. I also found Sereaneus and Zina in good health and recovering since my last visit with the, I will travel to Myra soon and see how they are growing as well, Apollos my fellow laborer in spreading the gospel has just returned from there with good news of the reception of the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.