St paul Flashcards
(38 cards)
What are areas of context relation to St Paul’s life? (4)
Jewish background
Roman citizen
Diaspora and Hellenistic Jew
tent maker
How did his Jewish background affect Paul’s life? (3)
- he was a member of a tribe of Benjamin where his jewish community were minorities.
- family of zealous jews therefore followed laws of Pharisees, meaning he persecuted Christians
- understood Jewish law very well, as a teenager he went to Jerusalem to rediscover his Jewish roots at the school of Garnaliel and was well educated in Greek and the Torah by Rabbi Gamiliel
How did his Diaspora Jew life affect Paul’s life? (1)
He was a descendant of diaspora Jews (Jews born to Roman citizen parents in Tarsus
How did his Hellenistic Jew life affect Paul’s life? (2)
- knew greek philiosophy and culture such as the religion
- He was Hellenistic Jew (Hellenistic culture: Greek culture, beliefs in Greek God), Greece was known as the centre for education and philosophy- well spoken bold leader
How did tent making affect Paul’s life? (3)
- Tentmaker by trade
- He could travel anywhere with leather working tools and set up a shop
- He earned his own living as he was a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) Luke says, and how Paul often combined preaching of the gospel with working with his hands (1 Corinthians 9)
How did the life of St Paul; his context affect religion?
Paul’s Jewish, Roman and Greek background allowed him to an ideal ‘apostle’ to the gentiles.
How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion?(Diaspora Jew) (4)
- Used roman roads and modes of communication (by sea) Roman technology meant that his message spread further afield (missionary journeys)
Entry to Roman houses
He used the social gatherings in the Roman lifestyle with the rich
- The gathering of Christians around the table in private homes due to persecution and for the breaking of the bread (space for preaching)
Understood the culture allow him to connect more easily with Gentiles
privileges/protection of Roman Law—when arrested/trail/type of death sentence
- he was tried legally as he was trialled as a Roman Citizen and so got off many times
- Considering his roman citizenship he was given trial in Rome in front of Caesar before being beheaded
How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion?(Interplay) (Hellenistic Jew) 43)
- Growing up with a distinction between Gentiles and Jews
- he used his greek philosophy and thought in order to connect with Gentiles
- as he was influenced by varied perspectives such as the mystery of gods and goddess, and so he knew of the prevailing views
- enabled him to contextualize the teachings of Christianity to the Gentiles who would have had quite varying beliefs including Polytheism
as this was custom to their Hellenistic Culture.
How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion?(Interplay) (Pharisee) (5)
- Access into synagogues and spoke as a stranger in new places—read the Torah and then announced the Risen Christ
- Knowledge of law allowed him clearly explain balance between beliefs/values and the Law
- Apostle to the Gentiles, spoke up at the Council of Jerusalem, clarifying the understanding of the New Law which supersedes the Law of Moses- Circumcision Acts 15:1-11
- Paul was able to use his knowledge of the Old Law later in his life to clarify the new Law. Due to the fact he was educated by the famous Gamliel which was the leading authority amongst the Pharisees of the day, Paul was extremely well known. He was a charismatic speaker and strong leader who was well equipped in addressing large groups of people.
- Furthermore, his knowledge of the Torah would have allowed him to transcend how Jesus fulfilled the Torah, as well as translate which important laws
would remain with those who would follow The New Christian Movement.
Acts 16:37
“They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens.” Acts 16:37
How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion? (Christian missionary) (4)
Spent up to 7 years at a particular place to teach and preach — set up a Christian community
Revisited, sent messengers and wrote letters to encourage and assist these community,
allowed Gentiles into churches but got arrested
Developed a theology of preaching—preached Christ as the crucified Messiah—The mystery of the cross (salvation)
became a christian missionary
How does the interplay between St’s Paul life before and after his conversion affect his interaction with religion? (Symbolism of being blinded) (3)
Symbolism of being blinded and restored to sight by baptism
an initiative by the divine—at a point in his life of God’s choosing, a direct mission given from Jesus who allows himself to be seen by Paul
Born again, a new way of seeing the world as revealed and achieved by Jesus.
Acts 9:15
“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” Acts 9:15
What was Paul’s mission? (2)
Mission was to proclaim the gospel of Christ to Gentiles
- prolongate Christ’s missions
his sense of being close to Christ and being loved by him
What were his journeys for?
His journeys: Paul was inspired to spread the Gospel and travelled extensively to spread the message of Jesus and expand the church opening it to gentiles
What happened in his first journey? (2)
he was accompanied by Barnabas and it ended when Paul returned to Jerusalem for the Council
He was already working with the Gentiles and wanted them and Jews to hear about Jesus. Arguing for this position at the Council of Jerusalem
How did he contribute to religion? (2)
made an impact as apostle, as theologian and as letter-writer
- he was a theologian he worked on many intriguing questions on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
he expanded the church opening it to Gentiles, fighting for his conviction that the gospel was for everyone
What happened on his second journey? (3)
he travelled with Silas, they spent time in Athens and Corinth where they preached to everyone
They went to synagogues to preach to Jews and spoke in the market places
His message was centred on how Jesus had come for all and there was a place in the Christian community for everyone who put their faith in the risen Lord.
What happened on his third journey? (3)
he revisited many Christian communities he had founded or written to such as a group at Ephesus.
preached against the worship of false gods, enraging many local traders especially local silversmiths who made images of local goddess Artemis. Putting them out of business
may have led to his imprisonment
How did religion allow him to contribute to religion? (5)
- Great themes in the life of St Paul was his passion to live like Jesus Christ, getting to know him better and help others realise that Jesus loved them too and that they could also have a personal relationship with him
- He came up with the doctrine that would turn Christianity from a small sect of Judaism into a worldwide faith that was open to all.
- established some building blocks of faith
- Paul’s writings are foundational underpinning rites such as Baptism (initiation) and Eucharist (memorial of Jesus’ breaking of bread)
- sees his mission as a continuation of the mission given to the prophets—as God’s servant/slave (analogy)
his mission is the prolongation of the mission of Christ
How did St Paul develop Key Ethical Teachings of Membership of the body of Christ?
Membership of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
“For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
All are equal, Baptism is a visible sign of the membership and Paul makes reference to the community as ‘one body’. This defines the importance of community and baptism as a sign of membership of the community.
How did his letters develop religion? (2)
The Pauline Epistles or Letters
letters were written to help new Christian communities overcome theological concerns and realise how to live a Christian life in varied cultures of Mediterranean—as Jew or Gentile.
helped supported encouraged and inspired the communities and interpreted the teachings of Jesus
What is St Paul’s contribution to expressions of Christianity?
Reform: Letters formed part of Christianity used in ceremonies of initiation and Sunday worship. Interpretation of Paul’s teachings led to Reformation (Luther)
Reinterpretation: From a Jewish sect where Jewish followers of Jesus followed the Law of Moses, Christianity inclusion of Gentiles changed what it meant to be a Christian
Expansion: As Christianity expanded Paul clarified how Hellenic community might interpret the teachings of Jesus
What is St Paul’s contribution to expressions of Christianity? (reform)
Reform: Letters formed part of Christianity used in ceremonies of initiation and Sunday worship. Interpretation of Paul’s teachings led to Reformation (Luther)
Wrote in 13 of 27 books in the bible, including the acts of teh apostles.
