The Pauline Mission – pt 3

by | Oct 31, 2006 | Biblical Studies, Pauline Theology

From Schreiner on Paul’s Mission: “With the exception of Romans [I don’t think I totally agree with this exception] most of Paul’s remaining letters were written to maintain the faith of those who had joined the new community, for persistence in faith was the mark of a successful mission. . . . Paul had no conception of his mission advancing apart from the proclamation of the gospel, and thus we see again that the missionary and theological task of Paul are indissoluble” (64). “Wherever the gospel is preached, fruit is the inevitable consequence, for the prolcaimed word is a performative word, accomplishing what it demands” (65). “Faith is not a private reality that arises from inner reflection or as a result of philosophical investigation” (65). “. . . the Pauline emphasis on perseverance indicates that simply laying a foundation was not sufficient.  He did not believe his work as an apostle was accomplished unless both the churches were established and they persevered” (66-67). “It is likely, therefore, that preaching the gospel (euangelizomai) and “gospel” (euangelion) in Paul cannot be confined to the initial proclamation of the message.  We have already seen that the gospel involves the obedience of faith (Rom 1:1-5; 16:25-27); and this obedience of faith cannot be restricted to conversion but is borne out by perseverance.  Under the umbrella of the gospel is every aspect of Christian existence, for Philippians 1:27 calls on believers ‘to live in a manner worthy of the the gospel of Christ'” (67). Schreiner believes that the mentionof Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians 4:3 is evidence that they were preaching the gospel to...

The Pauline Mission – pt 2

by | Oct 30, 2006 | Biblical Studies, Pauline Theology

More from Schreiner: “Bringing the gospel to the Gentiles was a distinctive advance in the mission of early Christianity, and Paul perceived the theological implications of the gospel more clearly than did the pillars and th other apostles in Jerusalem” (50). Schreiner sees Acts 15 and Galatians 2:1-10 as referring to the same incident (though he does not support the North Galatian hypothesis) (51-52). “God has planned history in such a way that the unity of the Jews and Gentiles would occur though the work of his Messiah on the cross.  Enmity marked the relations between Jews and Gentiles before the arrival of the new covenant (Eph 2:14-19).  Peace between these factions has been accomplished through the cross of Jesus the Messiah” (55). “Those Gentiles who believe in Christ are no longer excluded from the people of God.  They are ‘no longer strangers and aliens but are fellow citizens of the saints and members of God’s household’ (Eph 2:19).  Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 3 that his role in proclaiming the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the church is a divine gift” (57).  I kept waiting for Dr. S. to say that the Gentiles has become Jews, but he, like Paul, does not make such a statement.  Although, I’m anticipating it from Dr. S. at any point now.  I would have also loved for a fuller description of what the “one new man” is in Ephesians 2:15. “What was previously hidden was the Gentiles’ equal status in the people of God” (57). “When Paul says he has ‘fulfilled the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem to Illyricum,’ he does not...