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Five Key Themes

Five Key Themes. The Pauline Epistles. 1. The Passion. All of the epistles of St Paul comment on and interpret the Passion Narrative in the Gospels St Paul shows “Christ for us ” L ater will be “Christ in us” and “Christ through us ” The emphasis is on the wisdom of the cross (1 Cor 1)

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Five Key Themes

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  1. Five Key Themes The Pauline Epistles

  2. 1. The Passion • All of the epistles of St Paul comment on and interpret the Passion Narrative in the Gospels • St Paul shows “Christ for us” • Later will be “Christ in us” and “Christ through us” • The emphasis is on the wisdom of the cross (1 Cor 1) • Foolishness to the Greeks/Gentiles • Offensive to the Jews • Cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree • Wisdom to Christians

  3. The Passion • The emphasis is on the necessity of the resurrection (1 Cor 15) • The resurrection urges us to look beyond this life (1 Cor 15.3) • We are initiated into the Passion by baptism (Romans 6.1-11) • The Eucharist helps us participation in the Passion; in doing that one proclaims the Passion (1 Cor 11.20-26)

  4. The Passion • The passion teaches the obedience, humility and willingness of Jesus (Philip 2.5-11) • Shows that Jesus is primarily a servant (Mt 20) • Imitate godly humility, obedience, willingness • The Passion is THE tradition (traditio) (1 Cor 11.25-26)

  5. 2. The Tension • “The Tension” is between Jewish covenant and the inclusion of the Gentiles (Rom 11) • Tension between Judaizers and Gentile Christians (Galatians) • Judiazer: to be Christian one must follow Old Testament laws in order to be saved

  6. The Tension • Paul’s argument: The gap is bridged by recognizing: • The original plan • Abrahamic covenant was a seed planted to produce a tree which would shelter, protect and serve all nations • Hebrews were to be a light to all nations • The transformation of the law in Christ • Circumcision transformed into baptism, etc. (Rom 6) • The grafting of the broken branches (Gentiles) to the tree (Christ in the Jewish covenant)

  7. The Tension • Righteousness received by faith (imitation of Abraham), not by works of the law (Rom 3-5) • Three promises that Abraham believed; believed God’s word • Messiah would come from Abraham (many descendants) • Land • Great nation • Righteousness is given in Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law • Key location: Romans

  8. 3. Justification/Salvation • Definition of Justification: • The righteousness of Christ given to us in the Church and received by faith and lived in love • How you live shows what you believe; how you love shows what you love. • Synonyms: Righteousness, redemption, reconciliation • Righteousness: God’s justice; the righting of wrongs • Redemption: God buying us back with the price of His Son’s blood • Reconciliation: being at peace with God by the sacrifice of His Son

  9. Justification/Salvation • Three-fold understanding of salvation/save • Rescued from disaster, death (present; baptism) • In the process of being safely delivered (progressive present; other sacraments) • Arriving at a safe location (future; last rites) • Salvation (Christ) for us leads to salvation (Christ) in us • Salvation for us – Christ dying and rising for the life of the world • Salvation in us – is Holy Spirit giving us the benefits and victory of Christ’s death and resurrection (using the sacraments)

  10. Justification/Salvation • Begins with trusting in the Jesus who can save, bring you back to life • God brings us back to life in/through Jesus, we must then live in Him, and then we have real life • Assumes understanding of grace and mercy • Grace: undeserved, unmerited gift • Mercy: God’s unfairness • Mercy always overrules justice for those who seek mercy

  11. Justification/Salvation • We cannot begin salvation on our own • Jesus not only showed us His love by dying. He also gave us something – His Spirit. • We cannot raise ourselves from the dead; we cannot make ourselves better; we cannot begin to love. • We always need help. And the first help that we need is the help to begin—to begin living, to begin doing right, to begin loving. • Faith in Christ begins the process of our life and love • This faith is given by the Spirit (usually in Baptism) and sealed by the Spirit (usually in confirmation)

  12. Justification/Salvation • What role do we play in salvation? • We strive to keep and strengthen the faith we have been given • New Adam – New Creation • The one who was perfectly obedient and completely willing gives us what is truly His own • We share in the victory of Christ

  13. Justification/Salvation • You cannot begin your life (God the Father), but you can end it. • You cannot start to love (God the Son), but you can end it. • You cannot begin faith (God the Holy Spirit), but you can end it. • How do you end your faith? • By not eating (Eucharist). By not exercising (prayers). By not caring. (not doing good works)

  14. 4. Personal Holiness (Sanctification) • Sanctification means “personal holiness” • Philippians – Christ’s mind in you • Not a “just me and God” relationship • Emphasis: Christ in us and through us • Holiness is living the righteousness which is received by faith • Putting faith into action; living what we say • Lived in love • Transformation of mind which leads to transformation of behavior (Philip 2; Rom 12)

  15. Personal Holiness • Keys are Self-control & Self-discipline • You have the freedom to do whatever you want, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for you • Discipline our bodies so that we don’t lose our salvation we have received, nor belittle the mercy of God • Metaphor: the athlete • Key: Following the discipline of the law • This is “the obedience of faith” • Abstaining from sin (Rom 6.12ff) • Doing works of the law not to earn God’s favor, but to attain the fullness of salvation

  16. Personal Holiness • Transformation of mind which leads to transformation of behavior (Philip 2; Rom 12) • For Sanctification, St Paul describes • “Christ in us and through us” • in him we live and move and have our being • our life is hidden with Christ in God • transformation of all you are • putting your faith into action; living what you believe

  17. Personal Holiness • Goal: Striving, struggling, straining for the kingdom of heaven • Striving to attain the kingdom of heaven • Working out salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2.12)

  18. 5. The Church (Metaphors) • Nation of Israel (Romans 3-10) • Synonyms: children of Israel; children of Abraham; sons of Abraham • The Nation of Israel begins with Abraham • The Gentiles were part of the original plan (see above) • With Abraham God planted a seed • Tree of Abraham to produce faith & love (good works) • Tree failed due to reject of faith and love • The Gentiles are grafted into the Nation of Israel to form a renewed Nation of Israel (aka the church)

  19. The Church • Body of Christ (1 Cor 10-12; Rom 12) • The Body of Christ feeds on the Body of Christ • The body of Christ metaphor is from the Eucharist • The body of Christ feasts on the body of Christ, which was born of the Virgin, died and rose from the dead (1 Cor 10-11) • The bond between Christ, the saints and the faithful is given in baptism by mercy and attained (received) by faith; and is nourished by the Eucharist (1 Cor 10-11) • The one body is not “we are the church” but “Christ is the Church and we are his members” (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12)

  20. The Church • Bride of Christ (Eph 5; Col 3) • Emphasizes love between Christ and His members • Emphasizes sacrifice • All men are women

  21. The Church • The Church is an Hierarchy (1&2 Tim, Titus) • The unity is knit by the Spirit through the bishops/presbyters, and is seen or manifest by the communion of the bishops with laity (pastoral epistles)

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