quiz 2

Question 1

about when did Paul die? what was his prominence in the new testament?

Answer 1

he died around 65 CE - thought to have been executed in Rome under Emperor Nero; 13 letters in the new testament are thought to have been written by him

Question 2

was Paul Jewish?

Answer 2

Yes, tribe of Benjamin, and a member of the pharisee sect. He was considered “a Hebrew born of Hebrews, a Pharisee with respect to the law.” He was also highly educated: “I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.”

Question 3

What was Paul’s initial attitude towards followers of Jesus?

Answer 3

He initially persecuted Jesus’ followers.

Question 4

Compare and contrast Paul to Jesus (did Paul ever meet Jesus?)

Answer 4

• He was unmarried and celibate (suggested people who couldn’t exercise self-control should get married LMAO)
• He didn’t know Jesus in person
• Instead, he encountered Jesus in revelations

Question 5

Describe Paul’s changing relationship to christianity

Answer 5

• Paul reoriented towards Messianic judaism (aka the Jesus sect). Note that it was NOT a conversion from Judaism to Christianity
• Rather, it could be described as a calling to perform a special task for God, like Israel’s ancient prophets

Question 6

What was Paul’s prophetic calling?

Answer 6

• His calling was as a missionary to the Gentiles: “called me through his grace so that I might announce his son among the Gentiles”

Question 7

Where is Paul from?

Answer 7

• He’s based out of Antioch, Syria
• He traveled westward to encounter the cities of Asia minor (Turkey) and Greece

Question 8

Describe old views from Paul (traditional Christian view - from 2nd century onward)

Answer 8

• Paul converted from Judaism to Christianity
• Paul saw Judaism as a defective religion and the Torah as a curse that was impossible to live by. Christianity was the liberating solution.
• Keeping God’s commandment in the Torah isn’t enough to “save” you
• Paul thought Jews who didn’t accept Jesus as Messiah had turned their back on God. God therefore broke his covenant with them as his chosen people and replaced them with the Christian Church as the “new Israel.”

Question 9

Describe new views on Paul (as post 20th century Holocaust, first pioneered by Christian theologians)

Answer 9

• Paul remained a devout Jew his whole life –> reoriented within Judaism to Jesus’ sect by believing Jesus was in fact the messiah promised in Jewish scripture
• Maintains the Torah is a holy book of God’s commandments and God’s covenant with Israel. Now in the messianic age, nearing judgement day, gentiles too can be in covenant with God apart from Torah, through faith in the Messiah. To be saved from the coming judgement, gentiles need to live by the Torah’s basic ethical commandments, but they don’t need to keep all of it
• Paul is concerned about Jews who have not accepted Jesus as messiah. But since he is optimistic that God will always maintain his convenant with Israel, God will eventially bring them around so that in the end “all Israel will be saved.”

Question 10

Define “pseudopigraphy”

Answer 10

Writing a book in someone else’s name

Question 11

Define “pseudopigrapha”

Answer 11

The practice where books are written in other people’s names (usually a famous or legendary person)

Question 12

Define “pseudonym”

Answer 12

The “false” name in which a book is written

Question 13

Define “pseudonymity”

Answer 13

Using a pseudonym

Question 14

Define “pseudonymous”

Answer 14

adjective, as in “A pseudonymous book”

Question 15

pseudonymity in the ancient world

Answer 15

was pretty common (i.e. Paul and pythagoras)
some examples with the Old testament, i.e. “apocalypse of Adam” and “apocalypse of Enoch”
some examples with the New testament, i.e.
“Gospel of Thomas”

Question 16

characterize the content of 1 Thessalonians

Answer 16

1:9 the living and true god; his resurrected son; coming wrath
4:1-6 // Porneia and holiness (do not engage in immoral sexual activity)
4:14-18 // When Jesus arrives, those who have died will be the first to meet him, only then will those who are alive join up with them in the air to be with the lord forever
5:1-11 “stay awake”
There will be no eschatological signs. The end is coming “like a thief in the night.” “Stay awake - so it doesn’t catch you off guard.”

Question 17

what prompted Paul to write 1 Thessalonians?

Answer 17

People in Thessaloniki who had joined his church had bought into his idea, but enough time passed, Jesus still hadn’t returned, and and people had died. The question people had, was what will happen to the people who have died (did they miss their chance to reach the Kingdom of Heaven?)
4:14-18
5:1-11 “stay awake”

Question 18

what prompted Paul to write 2 Thessalonians?

Answer 18

2:1-2 There was intense persecution of Christians. Some people in Thessolonika were worried that the end times had already arrived (and had quit their jobs)

Question 19

characterize the content of 2 Thessalonians

Answer 19

2:3-8 eschatological signs before Jesus’ parousia.
There will be a great rebellion! And an evil, like, anti-christ will emerge.
The end is not quite yet, since the signs have not occured.

Question 20

how did Paul convert the people of Thessalonika

Answer 20

• likely went to the synagogue and preached in favor of Jesus as fulfillment of the Messiah, won converts in his church and among “devout gentiles”
• Paul taught his converts that

Question 21

parousia

Answer 21

A Greek word meaning “presence” or “coming” used as a technical term to refer to the second coming of Jesus in judgement at the end of time.

Question 22

what is the major theological difference between Thessalonians 1 and 2

Answer 22

1 says the end will come without warning, 2 says there will be a whole lot of warning (the whole antichrist thing)

Question 23

Name the (separate) problems that prompted 1 Corinthians. Then, what was the problem underlying these individual concerns?

Answer 23

1. Factions in the church /divisions in the Church
2. Questioning if it’s okay to have sex at all
3. Is it okay to eat food dedicated to Pagan gods
4. Women are prophesying without head-coverings
5. Poorer believers are being neglected in the “Lord’s meal”
6. Church meetings have become disorderly (people are prophesying out of turn and there is too much speaking “in tongues”
7. Some people deny the future resurrection of the dead.
   **Underlying question: Are converts already “risen” spiritually once they’ve been baptized? (realized eschatology). Some people have come to believe that they had already come to enjoy the benefits of full salvation.

Question 24

Define “realized eschatology” how was it relevant in the context of 1 corinthians?

Answer 24

theological concept that emphasizes the belief that certain aspects of the future hope or promise of salvation, typically associated with the “end times” or the eschaton are already being experienced or fulfilled in the present age… acknowledges that while the ultimate consummation of God’s kingdom is still to come, believers can experience aspects of that kingdom in their present lives

Question 25

Describe the contents of Corinthians 1 in relation to realized eschatology/ the resurrection

Answer 25

(Nah y’all aren’t already risen so stop acting like it! The resurrection of the dead is a future reality; resurrected body will not be “flesh and blood” but a spiritual body. Christ’s resurrection is a down payment on our own future resurrection)
From the 7-16 “now concerning the matters about which you wrote”
1 Corinthians 15:12 “Now if it is proclaimed that Christ has been raised from the
dead, how are some among you saying that there is no resurrection of the dead?”
1 Corinthians 4:8 (sarcastically) “Already you’ve been filled? Already you’ve become
rich? Without us you’ve become kings? Damn, I wish you really were kings so I could reign
with you!

Question 26

How can we infer the idea of realized eschatology might have changed people’s behaviors?

Answer 26

• It’s spiritual to stop having sex with my spouse
• It’s fine to eat food dedicated to pagan gods (rules don’t apply to me anymore)
• women can prophesy without a head-covering (no male or female in Christ)
  -omg I want to show off (prophesying and speaking in tongues)

Question 27

Describe Paul’s response to the Corinthians in regards to Sin and Ethics

Answer 27

From the 1-6 “put-them-in-their-place” chapters
- factions r bad unity is good
- y’all are acting like babies (sexual sin (porneia) is bad, the whole group becomes impure even if one man sleeps with a prostitute
______________________________
From the 7-16 “now concerning the matters about which you wrote”
- celibacy “like me” is best - but if you can’t control your desire, it’s better to marry
- not okay to eat foods dedicated to pagan gods (bc they are actually demons)

Question 28

Describe Paul’s response to the Corinthians in regards to Church meetings

Answer 28

From the 7-16 “now concerning the matters about which you wrote”
- women can prophesy, but should cover their heads as a sign of authority, “because of the angels”
- stop leaving poorer people out of the Lord’s meal. The meal is supposed to embody unity in the Church
- Use spiritual gifts properly (aka yay unity)
- agape, love
- Get church meetings in order
(take turns prophesying), speak in tongues only if someone can interpret it

Question 29

Does Paul reference money in 1 Corinthians

Answer 29

Yes, something along the lines of “don’t forget to put a little money aside each week for my church in Jerusalem

Question 30

Describe the differences in Paul’s message surrounding resurrection for the Thessalonians vs. the Corinthians

Answer 30

For the thessalonians, sorta linked to jewish faith, for the corinthians, he makes direct appeals to the scriptures

Question 31

What event prompted the authorship of 1 Corinthians

Answer 31

Learned of news from Chloe’s people, also letters from other people. Broader concerns surrounding realized eschatology.

Question 32

Describe the 3 distinct sections of 2 Corinthians

Answer 32

Chapters 1-7 are happy & encouraging
Chapters 8-9 concern money
Chapters 10-13 are angry and defensive
These are theoretically 3 distinct letters

Question 33

Describe the original proposed order of the corinthians

Answer 33

2 Cor 8-9 (a letter ab money)
2 Cor 10-13 (defensive letter; letter of many tears)
2 Cor 1-7 (letter of reconciliation)

Question 34

Describe the timeline of “2 Corinthians”

Answer 34

• Paul writes a manipulative letter about money to the Corinthians (chs. 8-9)
• During his second visit, the Corinthians accuse Paul of financial fraud
• Competing missionaries (super apostles) arrive in Corinth and criticize Paul to his face
• Paul leaves Corinth and writes a defensive letter (Ch 10-13)
• After reconciling with the corinthians through Titus’ mediation, he writes to console them
• Sets the groundwork for future travels to Spain
  *note that he only mentions Macedonia and Achaia, indicating that he might have lost his churches in Galatia to competing missionaries

Question 35

What does Paul say in the manipulative money letter (Corinthians 8-9)

Answer 35

basically lied to the people of Macedonia and said that Corinth already had money (they didn’t). so pls have money bc if Macedonians come with me and find that you don’t have the money, I’ll be humiliated - don’t forget that “God loves a cheerful giver”

Question 36

What does Paul say in his defensive letter

Answer 36

defends his actions and includes a section about competing missionaries, (i.e. the “super-apostles”)

Question 37

Who were the super-apostles, as described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 10-13

Answer 37

• Other Israelites within the Jesus sect
• Preached “another Jesus … a different gospel” than Paul (11:2-6)
• Carried letters of recommendation
• Bragged about their missionary achievement
• If I have to brag, I’ll brag of the things that show off my weakness!

Question 38

Why was Paul raising money?

Answer 38

Insistence they donate to his charity collection for the Jersualem church (note that they wanted this), and yet he did not ask for any financial support for himself as an apostle

Question 39

**What prompted Paul to write Galatians?

Answer 39

There were competing missionaries in Galatia, possibly the same group as the “super apostles” in Corinth. They were preaching “a different gospel,” and pressuring gentiles to convert to Judaism in order to be followers of Jesus.

Question 40

What did Paul’s competitors ask Gentiles to do (in Galatia?)

Answer 40

Observe at least SOME Torah commandments in the process of conversion, namely circumcision as a ritual initiation (at least for men).

Question 41

What was a God-fearer in antiquity?

Answer 41

• worshipped the God of Israel
• went to synagogue
• enjoyed Jewish customs
• without becoming full converts

Question 42

What were Paul’s opponents thinking?

Answer 42

• some basis in Isiah that converts (foreigners who join themselves to the Lord) who keep the Sabbath will be saved
• also men should be circumcised (genesis)
• gotta follow Torah super strictly (basically, the gospel of Matthew).

Question 43

How did competing missionaries criticize Paul?

Answer 43

He didn’t know Jesus in person!
He’s not one of the original apostles (a Johnny-come-lately)
He persecuted Jesus’ followers before joining!
His gospel is nonsense.

Question 44

Describe Paul’s Gospel

Answer 44

• Gentile converts do not need to be circumcised and keep Torah in order to be “justified” in God’s eyes
• Faith/trust (pistis) in the messiah Jesus is enough to “justify” them in God’s sight
• Faith/trust (pistis) isn’t mere belief, but includes an ethical transformation of the gentile sinner’s whole life (as defined in the Torah)

Question 45

Describe the contents of Galatians

Answer 45

• Paul spends a decent amount of time defending his Gospel (he got it through a revelation of Jesus Christ)
• The Jerusalem church signed off on his Gospel
• Peter/Cephas is a hypocrite bc he eats with gentiles when Jerusalem apostles aren’t around
  –BIG section regarding Abraham
• Abraham was made righteous by trusting God, not the Torah
• God’s promise to bless Abraham and his “offspring” was 430 years before the Torah covenant
• The Torah covenant with Israel doesn’t cancel God’s promise to Abraham
• offspring is christ!
• therefore everyone baptized into Christ is Abraham’s offspring!
  – BIG section regarding the Torah as a curse of the law
• All of you gentiles who are considering getting circumcised will still be under Deuteronomy’s curses bc you still won’t be observing ALL of the commandments
  *something something you don’t necessarily NEED the torah in order to be righteous
  *Christ’s death offers gentiles a way out of the curse they are under for not keeping Torah
  – Why did the Torah exist?
• torah was given to keep people from sinning, until the Messiah came
• God acted directly when he blessed Abraham and his offspring, but indirectly (via angel) for the Torah, Abraham’s blessing > Torah

Question 46

Describe Galatians in relation to Romans

Answer 46

A lot of Romans is a more well-thought out version of Galatians

Question 47

How did Luther misinterpret Paul’s section on the curse of the law?

Answer 47

extreme take against the Torah.
- It’s impossible to do all of God’s commandments in the Torah
- Moses (i.e., Judaism) expects people to keep the Torah perfectly (i.e. never make mistakes)
- Purpose of the Torah is to constantly remind you that you are not good enough
- Only Christ offers freedom from the endless cycle of failure
- Justification by Faith: have faith in Messiah (christ), and God forgives your sins

Question 48

Does Paul think that the Torah is contrary to God’s promise?

Answer 48

No, he does not. Just not as important as the promise given to Abraham, nor as important for the Gentiles to follow.

Question 49

What prompted Paul to write his letter to the Romans?

Answer 49

• Introduce his gentile mission to believers in Rome
• Plan his missionary work in the West
• Clear up misinformation about his Gospel (some people have this idea that if we do wicked things, good things will come).
  Contextually, this may have been written in the 50s, which was a time period when Jews were returning to Rome.

Question 50

Describe the content of Romans 1-3

Answer 50

“The World is in a Mess, and Judgement Day is Coming!”
- Gentiles are especially in trouble (they’ve descended into idolatry and porneia), God will judge everyone, there are good gentiles and bad Jews - everyone sins and no one really lives up to God’s standards.
- God’s solution is separate from the Torah, so gentiles can be included too.
- Paul displays emotional concern for non-Jesus believing Israel, but says that God has not rejected them. Israel did not stumble so as to fall - is their mistake permanent? No, it’s temporary, and God is using Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
- Israel can be restored, and will be. There’s a mystery at work: Israel’s unbelief is only temporary, until enough gentiles come in

Question 51

Compare and contrast the arguments surrounding Abraham in Galatians 3 and Romans 4

Answer 51

Galatians 3: Gentiles are Abraham’s heirs by trusting in christ and being baptized “into” christ
Romans 4: Abraham was justified by trust before he was circumcised. He is the father of the circumcised AND of the uncircumcised.

Question 52

Describe Paul’s writing on Gentile attitude towards Jews, at least according to Stendhal

Answer 52

Paul instructs them to stand in awe, … images teach respect for Israel

Question 53

What did radical “new paul”ers believe?

Answer 53

That Paul argued for two ways of salvation, one for Jews and one for Gentiles