New Testament Exam 2

What is the message of Philemon?

Letting the Love of God in Christ penetrate your relationships

What are the types of crises the church is facing?

-Spiritually immature: They think they are wise but Paul says they are babies -Fractured into spiritual cliques, each claiming to be THE spiritual group -Abusing the Lord's table: They are just putting Christian gilding on secular traditions. Some might go hungry as others are drunk. -Notorious immorality and general: Incest. Bad theology is a big problem -Internally litigious: Shouldn't take people to a pagan court to resolve problems. -Marriage problems: "Shouldn't be married/ have sexual relations." Not true. -Cultural accommodation questions: Food offered to idols. Only wrong if it causes a brother to stumble -Gifts: Mode over essence: Don't care how it is effecting people for God. Just wants a gift and a "spiritual buzz." -Resurrection: Already, not yet, or both? Paul reinforces the already, not yet mindset. (Corinthians thought they were living in the second Resurrection.)

What was the primary influence that shaped Paul, Judaism or Greco-Roman world, and how?

...?

Which books extensively treat Paul's concern for the church to embrace God's desire to heal the relationships between Jew and Gentiles (i.e. all people) as a central aspect of his redemptive plan?

-Romans -Galatians -I Thessalonians -A bit of Ephesians

What does the conscience do? How does it relate to Paul's teaching on the weaker brother?

Beliefs/values and choices go into a conscience. Conscience demands and allows inner-integrity. To "destroy" someone is to encourage them to ignore their conscience. -The stronger brother may want to limit his freedom in front of the weaker brother. Because if the weaker brother's conscience is telling him something doesn't seem right to him and the stronger brother encourages him to do it anyway, the weaker brother may choose to ignore his conscience and go along with the stronger brother.

What do we mean by syncretism with regard to Colossians?

Blending elements of past or contemporary non-Christian religious expression with Christianity. It is all about human efforts to manipulate the gods. Demonic power and authority is behind this. They say that Christ is only the beginning point, not the beginning middle, and end.

What is the theme of Colossians?

Christ is supreme, and therefore sufficient. He is the beginning, middle, and end of the Christian life.

How do we explain the relationship between Paul and Jesus?

Conceptual indebtedness and revelatory extension. Paul is not a commentary on the teachings of Jesus. He is an extension. John 16:12-15.

What is over-realized eschatology and how did it affect the church?

Confused the relationship between the Resurrection with Christ at Salvation and the yet to be realized Future Resurrection. Effects: o Indifference to Creation and God's Functional Design for Life in the Created World o Attempt to Live as if the future Resurrection, with its Completion of Salvation, had been fully Realized • No marriage • Resurrection Menu • No role distinctions • No concern for effect of Behavior on Outsiders • Law unto Themselves - Result: All Chiefs and No Indians (making up their own rules)

What is the problem in 2 Thess and how does Paul address the problem?

Confusion about the Day of the Lord. He encourages them to endure, says the rapture has not happened yet, stand firm, and don't be idle. He recognizes growth, clarifies the 2nd coming, encourages steadfastness, and removes leeches.

In Titus, how does Paul designate the Christians and what is its significance?

Elect" get at both the ideas of "chosen" by God and "enlisted" by God in his mission

What are the things that Paul asks Philemon and the addressees of the letter to do that is so startling with regard to Onesimus

Embrace Onesimus as a man and a brother in Christ. Not only that, but to treat him as he would treat Paul, which means as a superior.

To be armed with the armor of Eph 6 is to do what? How would you explain it

It is putting on Jesus/be filled with the fullness of God. It doesn't matter what trait is where on the body. The idea is the FULL armor of God.

How do the commands of 4:2-9 promote and strengthen community?

It is uniting them with a common focus. The focal point is Christ. God's will drives our love. Moves us towards people with a God focused love and promotes other people's best. They are partnering in the gospel: faithful to proclaim in word and in deed, particularly in communal life. -Paul tells the quarrelers to stop quarreling. He tells them to make their gentleness obvious. He tells them to dwell on the good things in each other.

What is important about the history of the church in Rome for our understanding of Romans?

It was not established by Paul, the origins may go back to Pentecost converts, Jewish/Christian Tensions culminated in Claudian expulsion of Jews in A.D 41, Expulsion left Gentiles in charge. At the time of writing, the Jews have filtered back and there is Jew/Christian tension.

What do we know about life in Corinth?

It was notorious for sexual immorality, there was "religious sexual debauchery" because of the goddess Aphrodite, and Cosmopolitan was an important city for commerce so there were various types of people, religions, etc.

What is the effect of the oppression on the churches in Galatia?

Jew/Gentile division, attacks on/distrust of Paul, legalism of works vs grace and bondage vs freedom.

Who is oppressing the churches in Galatia and what is the "false gospel" they are spreading?

Jewish Christians are oppressing the churches. The Jews said you must believe in Jesus + circumcision + works in order to be saved. They essentially thought that you must become Jewish in order to be fully right with God.

To be a people of hope is to let the reality of the future shape the present, giving strength and direction for the present.

Just know this

The plan of God laid out in Ephesians has individual, corporate and cosmic dimensions. He lays out this all-encompassing plan to re-situate the Ephesians believers so that they can see God for who He is and themselves for who they are.

Just know this!

The primary goal, therefore, of all our interactions with others is to promote God's saving purposes in their life.

Just know this! :)

How is it that "God is on trial" in Romans?

Some might think that God has been unfaithful to the Israelites. Others are disturbed by His sovereignty claiming that it is unfair for Him to establish vessels of dishonor.

Why is Timothy not "timid Timothy"?

Timothy has to kick elders out of the office and youth aren't respected.

What was the heresy that had the effect of diminishing Christ?

A Christ-demeaning syncretism

What is the "central tenant" of the false views being promulgated in the church? How does this theological aberration relate to the behavior of the people? Does this theological aberration show up in another community later on in Paul's writings?

-Over-realized eschatology: An attempt to live as if the future resurrection, with its completion of salvation, had been fully realized. Goes beyond written scripture. They misunderstood the idea of resurrection. -Thus, they acted as if physical/social is irrelevant (spiritual everything), antinomian "all things are fitting for me", and they were arrogant. -Shows up again in 1 Timothy (and maybe 1 Thessalonians?)

How does the situation of Titus differ from that of 1 Tim?

-Bad leadership structure (Tim) vs. no leadership structure (Titus) -Current threat (Tim) vs. looming threat (Titus)

Why does Paul refer to Christians as citizens of heaven? What about the background of the Philippians explains his use of the idea of citizenship?

-He is emphasizing that earthly matters should no longer matter to us. -The city was created as a place for Roman soldiers to retire. Essentially everyone there was a Roman citizen and they were very proud of it.

Be able to recognize and explain Paul's theological distinctives.

-Homogenous churches -Theocentric -Already/not yet view -Theology interprets ethics

What were the benefits of Roman citizenship?

1. Exempt from military duty 2. Right to Roman trial 3. Right of appeal 4. Exempt from flogging 5. Required proof

Ephesians is a "prison epistle", what imprisonment is Paul writing from?

Acts 28 house arrest.

How does the portrait of Christ in Phil 2, as well as those of Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus address the problem at Philippi?

All these men denied themselves and served others with humility.

How does Paul's emphasis on "redeemed, soul and body," relate to the bad theology at Corinth? How does the phrase "food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both," relate to the issues in 1 Cor 6? How is it that sexual sin is somehow uniquely "against the body"?

Don't show contempt for your body by abusing it (such as sexually). Whatever you do with your body, you bring Christ into it. Sex shows a covenant relationship and shows love. "Make love" is a good term for it, when used properly. Our bodies are also temples for God. -The Corinthians had a bad Theology that emphasized over-realized-eschatology, aka they were acting too much like Jesus's final divine kingdom had already come-- they had contempt for bodily appetite and contempt for roles of specific parties. Paul is emphasizing that the final kingdom has not yet been fully realized, therefore people should not neglect their bodies.

What do we mean when we say Paul is Theocentric?

For Paul, life was about getting God right and getting on board with what He was doing. The center point is Christ.

What is the key verse that relates to the theme of Galatians? Why does Paul make this emphasis?

Galatians 3:2 Essentially, Paul is emphasizing Salvation by Grace, not works. - To show the Jews that their legalism was worthless and that the ground is level at the foot of the cross

Who is the householder/despot, who is the house, and what are the house rules?

God is the householder, the believers in Christ make up the household, and the household rules God's commandments. They are meant to declare His glory as we experience life by embracing his saving purposes for ourselves and as we further those saving purposes in the lives of those around us

What is it that is so reliable in 2 Tim?

God's word/the gospel

What do we mean when we say that for Paul, theology interpenetrates ethics?

Godliness is the term that combines theology and ethics. "It is the right knowledge of God that shapes life." You can't cut them apart. You don't truly know theology if it doesn't shape you.

What had Paul done that the Corinthians were pointing to as an indication of his character?

He didn't take money from them. They might have been thinking "you get what you pay for" and so since they didn't pay him, that showed his worth/character. (Paul didn't use the original plan date. He didn't come to Corinth when he say he would. ???)

Why does Paul defend himself?

He had all of the appearance of a charlatan; he was there for a short time, snuck away by night, etc. He left them immature believers.

What are the marks of genuine ministry that arise for chps. 1-3? Why does he wait until chp 4 to start exhorting them to do something?

He has intro and thanksgiving for three chapters. He reminds them of the effects the gospel has had on them, an appeal for fidelity based on personal integrity and ongoing concern. He has to rebuild his reputation. -Working to please God, not men (2:4,6) - being righteous and blameless (2:10) - continual thanks to God (2:13)

What is Paul doing in chps 9-11 where he breaks into the book's flow of thought before returning to the "new life in Christ in practice" in chps. 12-16

He is essentially telling the Gentiles that their salvation and the promises comes through the Jews. God has not been unfaithful to the Jews, the Jews have been unfaithful to God, but he still keeps his promises. -9-11 is about man's fallen nature and God's overwhelming redeeming faithfulness and grace, and 12-16 are about practical actions we should do in light of this.

To whom is the book of Philemon addressed? Why is that significant?

It is addressed to Philemon and the church that meets in his house. It is an issue that needs to be addressed for the whole church. He is trying to get the Love of God in Christ to penetrate all relationships.

For Paul what is the relationship between ministry and integrity? Relate this to the first two major sections in Corinthians

Integrity is the currency of ministry. They are so intertwined that is why Paul spends the first two section of 2 Cor. to defend his integrity Good character shows a lot about a person. The Christian's life is to point to God.

What in Acts 19 is especially significant for understanding Ephesians?

Many had been practicing magic?

Ephesians has two significant prayers. What did we suggest about Paul's prayers?

Prayer for insight into God's purpose and power and Prayer for experience of God's transforming power.

Would Paul be happy with "homogenous" churches?

No!

Is the imprisonment in 2 Tim the same as that in the "Prison Epistles"?

No. In 2 Tim, this is Paul's final imprisonment before his execution.

How did Onesimus come to be with Paul and why would he do that as a slave?

Onesimus flees from his master, Philemon to Paul because Paul is the superior of Philemon. Slaves would flee upward in order to intercede with the next highest person.

What is this "paradox of strength in weakness" and how does it relate to Paul and the Super Apostles?

Paul doesn't look like a leader, and yet, he is better than the Super Apostles. The Super Apostles boast in their own strength, but because Paul is weak he boasts in God's strength instead of his own.

What had happened since 1 Cor. had been read?

Paul had visited Corinth, "Painful visit", Paul's previous letter had had limited impact, "Super Apostles" had arisen and now plagued the church, the integrity of Paul's ministry is now questioned, Corinthian Church has ceased giving to Paul's Jerusalem collection.

How does Paul respond to this problem in Timothy?

Restatement and reaffirmation of Timothy's God-given charge to confront the false teachers by life and word and countering their effects.

What about the 1st century understanding of gods and spiritual forces makes sense of Paul's stress on God's sovereignty and their need to know just who this God is that they have come to know in Christ?

The 1st century understanding was that gods were limited and had a certain thing they controlled, but they also had human failings. Life is about God, not the other way around. God is not just another deity with some power. He is above all the demons.

What is the theme of 1 Thessalonians?

The hope and life of the hopeful

Why does Paul write to Timothy?

The church leadership is the problem. He doesn't have a trustworthy conduit to them. Timothy has to kick elders out of the office and youth aren't respected.

What do we need to know about the background of the book from the book of Acts for 1 Thessalonians?

The church was largely a gentile group that turned from idols to God. Paul was teaching in the synagogue, and a lot of Gentiles believed his message. However, the Jews got jealous and caused an uproar against Jason, telling the Caesar that the Christians were usurping the empire and proclaiming the rule of another king.

How does the theme address the problems at Corinth? What is Paul trying to re-configure in the Corinthians?

The theme is Theology of the cross and spiritual leadership. He is trying to refocus them and help them see proper what proper ministry/leadership looks like (Paul doesn't look like a leader). Paul wants the people to look through the eyes of Jesus and reject the false gospels and super apostles who are not qualified.

Who is the "weaker brother" and how does he differ from the "professional weaker brother"?

The weaker brother is one who looks up to another believer such that the expression of their Christianity is materially influenced by the life of that other believer. The professional weak brother is someone who constrains the freedom of another from the position of spiritual superiority (maybe?). Essentially he uses his position to control what others do because "it can cause him to stumble."

What is the theme and key verse for the book of Romans? How does the key verse relate to the structure of the book?

Theme: The Just, by faith, shall live: God's program in Christ defended, explained, and applied. Key verse: 1:16-17 -It organizes the rest of the book / serves as an organizer

What is the main problem at Philippi?

There is an internal disruption between Euedia and Syntyche. People aren't abandoning the gosel, just don't understand the nature of Jesus or applying it to each other. Take sides, division in the gospel, etc. (OR, Paul's ministry is being challenged because people are preaching Christ for different reasons, out of rivalry and selfish ambition).

What caused the problem in 2 Thess? What does this say about the church and pseudepigraphy

There were pseudepigraphy letters saying that the Day of the Lord had already begun. Because of this, many people even withdrew from normal activities. -This says the church is still growing and is susceptible to Pseudepigraphy. Pseudepigraphy can cause major disruption in the growing church and can lead to many misunderstandings. -Also says that the church was not fulfilling its purpose because they were living like the Lord had already come back a second time.

What happens to Jewish practices, e.g. circumcision, when the gospel is understood aright?

They become unnecessary.

What is the relationship between the Super Apostles and 1st century Rhetors? How did this all come into play in the attitudes of the Corinthians toward Paul?

They used qualities of the Rhetors to evaluate Paul. Rhetors were entertainers and the "rock stars" of the time. Gave prepared and extemp speeches. They were red carpet people, known for their proud bearing. The Super Apostles were like the spiritual rhetors of the 1st century church. They were entertaining and bold and spoke many dramatic things. They were highly respected and arrogant, lived off the church, and Jewish. Paul had none of these. They made fun of Paul's teaching and letters. Paul had knowledge, though.

Why are some of the people idle?

They were so shaken up about the Day of the Lord that they had withdraw from normal activities.

Why does Paul go back to creation to re-orient the household?

To ground his argument in OT theology to show that what he is saying is not something completely new.

Explain Paul's already/not yet view of the Christian life.

We have been saved but it also hasn't been completed yet. That won't finish until Christ comes. We are already/not yet people because we have not been fully conformed to Christ. The kingdom is not fully realized. We must press on in the mean time. Every day is a day to take ground for Christ in my heart. There are also temptations etc that we still face.

What does Paul do in his Introductory Thanksgiving sections?

What he's been giving thanks for and what he's been praying for. Sets tone for the letter, reveals the theme of the letter, prepares them for what he is going to exhort them to do/be.

What is the basic structure of a letter in the first century and what did Paul do that was unique?

o Basic structure: Intro (salutation), body, conclusion. o Paul's letters: • Opening salutation and conclusion are different because when he uses titles, they are ones that don't mean anything to normal society. Also gives blessings from God in conclusions. • Introductory Thanksgiving: What he's been giving thanks for and what he's been praying for. Sets tone for the letter, reveals the theme of the letter, prepares them for what he is going to exhort them to do/be. • Parenthetical material post body: Inserted between the body and conclusion • Pastoral in Orientation (ad hoc, which means written for a group of people in a particular circumstance) • Amanuenses: Most of his letters were dictated to others. He did sign at the end, though.

What are the purposes of Romans with respect to these three foci?

o Roman Christians: Introduction establishing credentials, edification, reconciliation between Jewish and Gentile believers, gain as a base of support. o Jerusalem Church: Prayer concerning reception of the gift from the Gentile churches. This is the same issue that the Romans were dealing with because Jewish/Christian tensions. o Personal ministry: Request prayer, prepare Roman church for visit and to support him, edify.

What are the "three foci" of Paul's letter to the Romans and what was going on with regard to each of them?

o Roman Christians: Jewish/Christian tensions culminated in Claudian expulsion of Jews in AD41. This is what left the gentiles in charge so when the Jews came back there was a lot of tension because the Gentiles didn't want to deal with the Jews and their stuff. They became arrogant. o Jerusalem Church: See above o Personal ministry: Preparing to go to Spain