Mid-term LRQs

Question 1

1.1) Cara states that there is a dialogical relationship between studying Pauline epistles and studying Pauline theology. Explain.

Answer 1

Paul’s writings can be understood horizontally - as separate epistles written at various times, to particular contexts, with unique emphasizes - but also vertically - as incorporating shared themes and a unified, coherent theology. The best understanding will integrate both perspectives, recognizing the uniqueness of each letter but never neglecting or rejecting the unified (and divinely inspired) theology of the whole.

Question 2

2.1) Give a brief explanation of the difference between hermeneutics and interpretation.

Answer 2

“Hermeneutics = philosophy and methodology of interpretation.

• Interpretation = conclusions concerning a text based on hermeneutical assumptions.
• Cara attempts to base his hermeneutical assumptions on the Bible’s own hermeneutical assumptions.”

Question 3

2.2) Briefly explain BT and R-H. Explain how HNR’s Paul is in both categories.

Answer 3

“BT: looks at what an individual writer says about a specific subject in a book. (eg what does Jeremiah say about God) - Usually there is an emphasis on the theological terms and themes that the writer himself uses (e.g., K of G in Synoptics, suffering in 1 Pet)

R-H: Acknowledging that God’s redemptive actions and Scripture have been progressively revealed through time, this term has a variety of related meanings.
1) The big R-H events of history including creation, fall, covenants, exodus, Davidic kingship, X’s birth, death, res, ascension, now/not yet, second coming.
2) What the Bible says about “x” through time? E.g., What does “land / rest” mean before the fall, after fall, Moses, Prophets, X, church age, new heavens and new earth with appropriate implications? See Heb 3:7-4:10. R-H studies many times presuppose BT studies, e.g., kinsman redeemer in Ruth (BT study) relates to X and us in this way (R-H study).

ST: ST looks at what whole Bible says about x (and usually also included is how it relates to today), and how the various doctrines (i.e., system) are interrelated. e.g., What does Bible say about divorce? How is X’s atonement related to his ascension? Some use ST for the standard categories such as God, Man, X, Sin, Salvation, etc. Many call this “traditional ST categories.””

Question 4

2.3) Draw Ribberbos’ R-H chart. How does Cara adjust it?

Answer 4

(see LEC2) little “hell” arrows from fall to parousia; stronger Spirit arrows from Christ into eternity, but Cara adds Spirit arrows in OT too; we live in tweener age

Question 5

3.1) Give one reason why knowing the chronology of Paul’s life is important.

Answer 5

Helps to understand the historical events and circumstances Paul was writing to address; While Paul (as inspired by perfect Author) never contradicts himself, his theological emphases and aims do change according to time and context.

Question 6

3.2) What is the “lynch pin” of Pauline absolute dating?

Answer 6

Acts 18:12, during 2nd missionary journey, mentions Gallio as proconsul of Achaia; Extrabiblically corroborated and universally accepted as midsummer of 51 to midsummer of 52

Question 7

3A.1) Give one concrete example of how knowing the generic Pauline letter format might aid in interpretation of Paul.

Answer 7

Knowing generic form allows reader to see the emphasis or “point of” a departure from the usual; e.g. no thanksgiving in Galatians

Question 8

3A.2) How might Paul’s “grace and peace” in his opening be related to both Hellenistic and Aramaic/Jewish letter formats?

Answer 8

“Grace” probably hearkens to the Hellenistic opening greeting, χαιρειν; “Peace” connecting to the Jewish “shalom”

Question 9

3A.3) How does Gal 6:16-18 compare to the generic Pauline closing?

Answer 9

Galatians closing does not include a greeting; Peace benediction => “Let no one trouble me” => Grace benediction

Question 10

4.1) Briefly describe Paul’s opponents in Galatians.

Answer 10

Judaizers - Jewish Christians enforcing Jewish law on non-Jew Christians; minor = ceremonial-law maintenance, major = law merits salvation

Question 11

4.2) What is unusual about the outline of Galatians?

Answer 11

No thanksgiving following Opening; instead, a strong apostolic defense

Question 12

5.1) Give Cara’s two keys to understanding Gal 3

Answer 12

1) No one can fulfill the covenant of works (3:10 - “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by ALL THINGS written…”); and
2) The law was never intended to impart life (3:21 - “IF a law had been given that could give life…”

Question 13

5.2) According to Cara’s exegesis of Gal 3:12 (“The man who does these things will live by them.”), in what sense does Paul believe that the OT teaches that one can be justified by works?

Answer 13

In Gal 3:12 (and elsewhere) Paul upholds the theoretical possibility of merited righteousness by the fulfillment of the law, or the cov of works; but in reality no fallen human is able to perfectly keep all of the requirements of works (3:10)

Question 14

6.1) In Gal 5:18, how is “led by the Spirit” the opposite of “under law”?

Answer 14

Throughout the doctrinal portions of Galatians, as well as in his other writings (esp Rom 6-8), Paul regularly employs these sorts of dichotomous comparisons, and here he sets “led by Spirit” in contradiction to “under law”; This does not mean that the law has no more use or may be disregarded for Xn (i.e. 3rd use is real and right) but that the Xn’s justification is not based on law-obedience, and the motivation for sanctification is responsive, led and empowered by the Spirit, not earning but yearning

Question 15

6.2) If we are not under the law, Why does Paul positively quote the law in Gal 5:14?

Answer 15

Paul recognizes the value of the law, both for 2nd-use conviction of the non, and 3rd-use sanctification guidance for Xn.

Question 16

6.3) For Xns, how can sarx be both crucified (i.e., done away with) and presently fighting w/ Spirit (Gal 5:17)?

Answer 16

This apparent contradiction has to do with Paul’s eschatalogical “already-but-not-yet” understanding of the overlapping ages. The Christian is already justified righteous before God by the crucifixion of the flesh in Christ at the cross, but he continues to battle the lingering influences of the flesh in this age. Nevertheless, he is no longer primarily beholden to the flesh, but to the Spirit, and his ultimate deliverance from the power of sin is certain.

Question 17

7.1) What is the occasion of 1 Thess?

Answer 17

Paul forced from Thessalonica prematurely; is anxious for churches well being, sends Tim back to check on them, while he remains in Athens; Tim brings back largely good news, though Paul respnds to minor issues relating to: (1) apostolic defense, (2) eschatalogical questions; and (3) idleness problems in the church.

Question 18

7.2) Give a brief summary of Paul’s “imitation” (μιμητης) doctrine.”

Answer 18

On multiple occassions in epistles, Paul explicitly encourages Christians to imitate him (in various regards); Insofar as Paul (or another Christian) leader is imitating Christ, it is right and good for others to look to him as model (They will do it anyway!)

Question 19

8.1) Give exegetical reason that “word of God” in 1 Thess 2:13 refers to word spoken by God and NOT simply word about God. (1 Thess 2:13, “You accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God.”)

Answer 19

b/c it parallels “word of men,” this is clearly a subjective genitive (as opposed to objective). The preaching (and writing) of Paul is God speaking through him, and all who faithfully convey the truth of scripture can be confident that God himself is speaking through them

Question 20

8.2) Does Paul believe he will be alive at parousia? Give rationale for your answer.

Answer 20

In short, Paul is unsure, that is what the “thief in the night” language implies. In some places in his epistles, he describes the parousia with 1st-person language, elsewhere in 3rd; and in 1 Cor 6 he seems to believe he will be dead and alive.

Question 21

9.1) What are the two primary aspects of the Day of the Lord in Scripture?

Answer 21

Judgment for the wicked and ultimate salvation for the righteous - Judgment is to encourage repentance, vigilance, obedience; Salvation is to encourage hope and steadfastness

Question 22

9.2) What is an amanuensis?

Answer 22

A scribe who wrote documents as they were dictated; Paul uses amanuenses for many of his letters

Question 23

10.1) Why did many of the Reformers believe that the Pope(s) was the man of lawlessness?

Answer 23

1 Thess 2 implies that the Man of Lawlessness will be in some type of power position in a religious group and will confuse many in the visible church; In the eyes of the Reformers, the Pope fit this bill very well

Question 24

10.2) Who or what is the 2 Thess 2 “restrainer” according to Cara? Give his rationale

Answer 24

A confusing question for many interpreters thru church history; Cara’s interpretation is that the “restrainer” is an evil person or force that is working to eventually reveal the man of lawlessness

Question 25

11.1) Who is Sosthenes?

Answer 25

Paul’s amanuensis for 1 Corinthians (also mentioned in Acts 18)

Question 26

11.2) What does Cara mean by the “Corinthian A” letter and “Corinthian B” letter?

Answer 26

1 Cor indicates that Paul had previously written a letter to the church at Corinth, etc., etc.

Question 27

12.1) Paul is against preaching with wisdom in 1 Cor 1-2. What does he mean by “wisdom” in this context?

Answer 27

When Paul refers to “wisdom” in 1 Cor 1-2, he has in mind any worldview that asserts man, independently or autonomously, as the ultimate foundation for his own knowledge or righteousness; e.g. Greek philosophy (which included tricky persuasion by rhetoric) or Jewish religious self-righteousness and “power”

Question 28

12.2) Give one implication of Paul’s use of Isa 29:14 which he quotes in 1 Cor 1:19.

Answer 28

In citing Isa 29, Paul draws a strong connection between the supposed wisdom of Judah and supposed wisdom of this evil age. Therefore God has been in the practice of thwarting the “worldly wise” from the Fall, whether his opponents are inside or out of ethnic Israel

Question 29

12.3) Concerning 1 Cor 1-2 and eloquence in preaching, Why does Cara say there is a lot of room to fudge?

Answer 29

Paul likely has in mind the versions of Greco-Roman rhetoric that used impressive or tricky words to persuade people of their view, even seemingly against the hearers true inclinations. Paul is not discouraging humble, Spirit-led wisdom in rhetoric for Christian preachers and teachers, but making the worldy power and persuasiveness of words the primary influence, over-against the simple, truthful, Spirit-empowered teaching

Question 30

13.1) Give brief summary of Greco-Roman view of body and spirit. How does this help explain 1 Cor 6:12-20?

Answer 30

G-R world held a stark dichotomy between body and spirit, with the spirit/mind almost always viewed as good, while the body bad and constraining good-mind. The two common conclusions of that few were aescetism or hedonism. 1 Cor 6 says both spirit and body belong to God, united to Christ, and ultimately good when reconciled to him, therefore how the body is employed matters too.

Question 31

13.2) In what sense is the stomach not part of the σομα (body) for Paul?

Answer 31

In 1 Cor 6, Paul is using “stomach” as a close corollary to his normal usage of “flesh,” as a descriptor for the old body with its sinful appetites, which for the Christian is temporary, not ultimate. On the other hand, the “body” here (and in much of Paul) describes the Christians physical body which will be raised up and glorified, and so in that sense is ultimately good and godly.