NT Reading Quiz 3 - Paul (p. 235-253)

Name three aspects of Paul's teaching about last things

- Paul's view of things to come has profound implications for the way life is to be lived now (Paul's eschatology grows out of his convictions about God generally and Jesus Christ in particular) - parousia (second coming) - final judgment is part of God's redemptive work - we have a seal of the inheritance and adoption that enables us to call God "Abba"

Describe two significant events from Paul's life in each of these four decades: AD 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s

30s: while traveling to Damascus, Jesus appeared to Paul (his conversion); post conversion trip to Jerusalem 40s: first missionary journey, Thessalonian letters written; participates in Jerusalem council 50s: third missionary journey; 1 Corinthians written; arrested 60s: house arrest, Paul's death under Nero

Why did Paul stress "the grace given to me" in his writings?

God granted him special cognitive grace, an authoritative knowledge of what to teach , equal to his task (not because of a Jewish birth, but because he was a sinner saved by grace)

Why did Jewish leaders press for Jesus' crucifixion? Why did Paul see redemption in Jesus' cruel death?

Jews during Jesus' day interpreted Deut. 21:23 to apply to crucified persons; crucifixion would be proof that Jesus was not God's messianic deliverer; Paul points out that Jesus became "a curse for us" so that "the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus" and so that "by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit"

How does Paul base ethics in theology?

Paul draws on OT precedent, charging believers with ethical imperatives based on the theological indicative of God's character; their conduct should be regulated by God's presence in their midst and his holy purpose in their election and calling (imitators of God, OT, Christ's example of humility and self-sacrifice)

Characterize the role played by Abraham in Paul's teaching

The foundation of the gospel that Paul preached was the covenant God made with Abraham (Paul did not see himself as the founder of a new religion)

How do Jesus and Paul's messages differ? How are they alike?

differ: Jesus announced, explained in advance, and carried out the atoning ministry God laid on him; Paul acknowledged Jesus' saving death and resurrection, became his follower, and spread the word of his glory across the Roman world alike: Paul's theology is Christ's own authorized extension of the gospel of salvation for Jew and gentile alike

What is ironic about Paul serving as teacher and missionary of the church at Antioch?

the church in Antioch had been founded by Christians driven out of Palestine by persecutions instigated by Saul

Why did Paul speak of the law in both negative and positive terms?

the mixed nature of Paul's assessments of the law results from the contrasting situations he addresses (if opponents threatened to replace the gospel of free grace with a message of salvation by works, Paul responded that the law laeds only to death if understood in that way; if Spirit-filled followers of Christ seek the historical background of their faith or moral and theological instruction, then the OT corpus, including the legal portions, may have a beneficial function)

What does Paul mean by "in Christ" or "in Christ Jesus?"

the phrase bespeaks believers' unity and interdependence; it refers to their organic relatedness to the heavenly Father and to one another as his redeemed children because of what Christ has accomplished on their behalf