Epistles of Saint Paul Exam 1

What is Eschatology?

A way of viewing the promises of God, which describes them as non-linear and needing a turn-around.

Why is Eschatology important to Pauline studies?

Eschatological literature was very prevalent at the time of Paul and he was a believer in it.

What is Apocalyptic Eschatology?

A subsection of Eschatology that thought the only way for God’s promises to come true would be for a great crisis to happen.

Why is Apocalyptic Eschatology important to Pauline studies?

As with Eschatology, Apocalyptic literature was very prevalent and was a view that Paul accepted.

What is the Septuagint?

The first translation of the Jewish Bible into Greek, also stands for “70”, the idea being that 70 authors took 70 days to translate it. (Not true)

Why is the Septuagint important to Pauline studies?

This is the scripture that Paul would have grown up reading and preaching.

What is Hellenism?

The Greek occupation of Palestine which forced the Jews to adjust to certain things like the Greeks’ polytheism.

Why is Hellenism important to Pauline studies?

Paul would have grown up in this era. The main four groups of Judaism were formed because of the Greek occupation.

What is the Parousia?

The second coming of Christ.

Why is the Parousia important to Pauline studies?

Paul’s entire life after his encounter with God on the road to Damascus revolved around the Parousia and Christ’s return.

What is Paul’s Greeting?

Grace and Peace (Shalom).

Why is Paul’s Greeting important to Pauline studies?

He split the Greek word for ‘greetings’ into two words: ‘grace’ and ‘peace’. By doing so he cleverly created a Christian greeting that reflected the multi-cultural nature of Christianity at the time.

What is the Kerygma?

The authoritative teaching that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Why is the Kerygma important to Pauline studies?

It was his primary message.

What is the Collection?

Paul takes a collection from the gentiles for the poor in Jerusalem.

Why is the Collection important to Pauline studies?

It is a bit of a mystery to us because we cannot quite pinpoint when or if he delivered the collection to the poor in Jerusalem.

What is the Old Perspective on Paul?

Martin Luther’s and Augustine’s view on Paul which was one based on individual guilt. It was the idea that Paul was writing as one who felt guilty for his sins.

Why is the Old Perspective important to Pauline studies?

It gives us a vantage point from which to look at the letters. It is comfortable and easy to read the letters through this lens.

What is the New Perspective on Paul?

The idea that Paul is not writing from a place of guilt or introspective conscience but rather trying to achieve unity between the Jews and Gentiles.

Why is the New Perspective important the Pauline studies?

It gives us a more likely correct lens to view the Epistles from that completely changes the way we look at Paul’s writings.

What are the characteristics of the Sadducees?

• Only read the Torah

• Complied with the Greeks to keep their money/status

• High standing

What are the characteristics of the Essenes?

• All male hermit cultures

• Ascetic (self-denial)

• Copied Scripture

• Lived in Qumran by the Dead Sea

• War Scrolls

• “Children of the Light/Dark”

What are the characteristics of the Zealots?

• They want to fight

• Managed to occupy Masada

• Committed mass suicide when they couldn’t win

What are the characteristics of the Pharisees?

• Very strict

• Means “Those who are separate”

• Lived lives of righteousness

• Most liberal of all four groups

• Believed in law and oral tradition

• Believed in resurrection from the dead

• They were lay-people

What does the book of Acts contribute to the study of Paul?

• Dates

• Context for the letters

• Narrative of Paul’s life

Sources for the life of Paul?

• Epistles

• Acts

• Extra-Canonical material

• Knowledge of Judaism and the Greco-Roman world

What we learn about Paul from his own letters:

• He was a fiery author

• He was passionate about Christ

• He thought of himself as an Apostle of Christ

• He was a righteous Jew

• He went through much persecution

Paul’s call story:

Paul is travelling to Damascus when he is blinded by a bright light. He has an encounter with Jesus who calls him to stop persecuting the Christians and begin evangelization.

Two major convictions Paul discovers through his call story:

• Jesus is the risen Christ

• Paul is an Apostle to the gentiles for Christ

Stages of Gospel tradition:

• What Jesus said and did

• What apostles and disciples preached

• What evangelists wrote in Gospels

What stage is Paul associated with?

Stage 2: What apostles and disciples preached

What is the important information about Thessalonians?

• Written to Thessalonica

• Written for the purpose of encouraging the persecuted church

• Written from Corinth around 50-51

• Contains warnings, praise through persecution, and instructions on how to remain ready for the Parousia

What is the important information about Galatians?

• Written to Galatia

• Written to rebuke and testify against the false teachers

• Written from either the Jerusalem Council in 50 or Ephesus in 54

• Justification apart from the law

Apocalyptic expression in Thessalonians:

• The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

• Sudden disaster will come upon them

• The lawless ones

Paul’s images for ministry in Thessalonians:

• Nursing mother

• Father

How does Paul continue to show concern for the Thessalonians?

• He wanted to travel to them

• He sends Timothy

• He prayed unceasingly

What aspects of holiness doe Paul want the Thessalonians to embrace as the wait for the Parousia?

• A quiet life

• Purity

• Hope

• Respect for leaders

• Prayer

Describe the agitators and circumcisers of the Galatians:

They are Jewish Christ-believers that want the Gentiles to follow the whole Mosaic law and be circumcised

What does Paul tell about his life at the beginning of the letter?

He wants to establish credibility that his gospel is the only true gospel since it came directly from God.

Why is Paul upset with Peter in Gal 2:11-15?

Because he was not practicing what he was preaching and receded from the Gentiles after a while instead of continuing to eat with them.

Why does Paul include the stories about the Jerusalem council and Peter’s inconsistency in his letter?

To show the Galatians what they should do when confronted with a false teacher.

Why does Paul use the example of Abraham in 3:6-9?

He is pointing out that since this promise was made long before the law came to be, Abraham would have been justified through faith and not the law.

How does Paul describe the role of the law in 3:15-29?

As a “disciplinarian” or nanny until the messiah came.

What does Paul emphasize about baptism in 3:26-29?

He emphasizes the unity and oneness of the church in Christ.

What is an allegory and how does Paul use the story of Sarah and Hagar as an allegory?

An allegory is a story where symbolism and representation are used to represent something else. Paul uses Sarah and Hagar to represent the New and Old Covenant. Hagar (the slave) represents the Old Covenant and Sarah (the free woman) represents the New Covenant.

How does persecution and apocalyptic eschatology shape Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians?

• They were being persecuted

• They were hopeless

• They needed something to look forward to 

• They found refuge in the idea of a cataclysmic event

Using Galatians as a source, discuss Paul’s vision of living a life characterized by freedom in Christ. make sure your answer uses specific examples from the letter.

• Heirs not slaves (4:7)

• Keeping from bad uses of freedom (5:13)

• Those who have faith are justified (3:7)