Excellent observations

Subject:

Comments:
: <a href="Apostle.pdf">Why Does Paul Call Himself An Apostle?</a> : <a href="Communion.pdf">Communion in 1 Corinthians 11</a> : J wrote: : : In regards to "Why Does Paul Call Himself an Apostle?... : : Two points stuck out in my mind: : : 1. "'Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them - though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.' (I Cor. 15:-10)" : : When I imagine what Paul must've been like, I think of him as pushy and obnoxious with a sort of "soft" side regarding his flock (in regards to his love toward people). The thought that he considered himself "the least of the apostles" is remarkable to me because he writes with such authority. Also noteworthy is the importance he gives to God's grace in these scriptures specifically regading his calling. : * * * * * * * : Excellent observations. : Add to that: : • somehow sickly (repeatedly mentioned), : • always in "weakness," i.e. forever being oppressed by people, demons, or the world, : • not very attractive (compared to some of the healthy, charismatic super-apostles at Corinth), : and, somewhat antithetically, : • an amazing amount of spiritual power, : • and a clean conscience. : Note that he knows he has made up for his previous error, and he in no place indicates that he is under the pangs of guilt about it (or anything else). He simply references the fact that he would not be esteemed worthy of such a calling by any man (including himself). : Seem strange? Check it out. I will post scriptures on this when I get some time. : Hint: The Augustinian/Lutheran interpretation of Romans 7 is deeply flawed. Paul was not a victim of the introspective conscience of the Western mind. He is a Pharisee, a Rabbinic Messianic Jew who here is still developing his central theme of the book of Romans, which is neither the universal state of sin in all humans nor faith as the antithesis of the ethical or ritual works of the law. Seen through this lens, the Jew is the quintessence of proud, faithless religion. Enter Gentile pride, "boasting against the root" for two millenia. Hey wait--that's in Romans! ;-)) : These misunderstandings reached their crescendo in Luther, and have been the lens through which Christiantity has interpreted Paul ever since. In Romans, the concept of justification by faith is a crucial concept presented to illustrate and explicate his central concern in Romans, but it is nonetheless peripheral to that concern. Paul's illustration is offered as an answer to a question we are no longer asking, in a context we do not consider. Now say "thank you" to Martin Luther and his tormented conscience. : So what is Paul's main focus in Romans? : Evidence for you answer? ;-) : * * * * * * * : J wrote: : : 2. "He affirms the possibility of a multitude of instructors in Christ, but only the apostle is a <i>father</i>. In <i>2 Corinthians</i> 12:11-15, Paul's sacrificial attidtude toward his 'children' is well articulated: 'I will most gladly spend and be spent for you...'" : : Wow! : * * * * * * * : Wow indeed. This is touching on the weakness aspect above, and the appropriateness of this weak state for an apostle like Paul. Look into it. ;-) : Did I mention you rock?

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: