©anna horen 2009, all rights reserved what st. paul really said an overview anna horen, director of...

©Anna Horen 2009, All Rights Reserved©Anna Horen 2009, All Rights Reserved

What St. Paul What St. Paul Really SaidReally Said

An OverviewAn Overview

Anna Horen, Director of Faith FormationAnna Horen, Director of Faith Formation


What St. Paul Really SaidWhat St. Paul Really Said Tonight we will…Tonight we will…

Examine some biographical facts.Examine some biographical facts. Discuss Paul’s context with regard to 1Discuss Paul’s context with regard to 1stst

century Judaism and paganism.century Judaism and paganism. Touch on what Paul had to say to these Touch on what Paul had to say to these

groups.groups. Look at some misunderstandings of his Look at some misunderstandings of his

preaching.preaching.


A Limited BiographyA Limited Biography What we know is from Acts and Paul’s own letters.What we know is from Acts and Paul’s own letters. He was from Tarsus, a learned man, most likely a He was from Tarsus, a learned man, most likely a

Pharisee.Pharisee. He was “zealous for the Law.”He was “zealous for the Law.” This means that he believed that waiting for the This means that he believed that waiting for the

Messiah included action.Messiah included action. He believed the Law was the way all humans should He believed the Law was the way all humans should

live not just Israel.live not just Israel. The followers of Christ posed an additional obstacle The followers of Christ posed an additional obstacle

to his mission.to his mission. Therefore, it was not only right, but his duty to Therefore, it was not only right, but his duty to

eliminate this threat.eliminate this threat. A personal experience of the Risen Christ completely A personal experience of the Risen Christ completely

changed him forever.changed him forever.


Saul’s FaithSaul’s Faith YHWH is the one, the only God. All YHWH is the one, the only God. All

creation belongs to Him, according to His creation belongs to Him, according to His plan.plan.

Anyone who does not accept YHWH is an Anyone who does not accept YHWH is an idolater.idolater.

God gave Israel the Law to help guide God gave Israel the Law to help guide them in their unfaithfulness.them in their unfaithfulness.

However, the Law applies to all peoples, However, the Law applies to all peoples, since it reflects YHWH’s plan.since it reflects YHWH’s plan.

Anyone who opposes the Law is sinful and Anyone who opposes the Law is sinful and an obstacle to God’s holy plan.an obstacle to God’s holy plan.

God’s plan will be fulfilled in the Messiah.God’s plan will be fulfilled in the Messiah.


God’s Plan for the worldGod’s Plan for the world Isaiah 25:6-10Isaiah 25:6-10On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a

feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.clear.

And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.spoken.

It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation, we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation, For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.


God’s Plan for the worldGod’s Plan for the world Isaiah 40:3-5, 42:1-4Isaiah 40:3-5, 42:1-4A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the

Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill

be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.the rough places a plain.

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.spoken.

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly street. A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.forth justice.


The Status of “The Nations”The Status of “The Nations”

The pagan world, since it does not The pagan world, since it does not recognize the one, true God is recognize the one, true God is hopelessly mired in sin.hopelessly mired in sin.

Their entire way of life is sinful; there Their entire way of life is sinful; there is absolutely no redeeming value to is absolutely no redeeming value to any of it: not their art, nor their any of it: not their art, nor their literature, nor their heroes.literature, nor their heroes.


The Greco-Roman ContextThe Greco-Roman Context

Multiplicity of gods and goddesses.Multiplicity of gods and goddesses. They were simply human beings “writ They were simply human beings “writ

large.”large.” They were in charge of various They were in charge of various

aspects of creation, but creation was aspects of creation, but creation was not work of a single god.not work of a single god.

As philosophical thinking became As philosophical thinking became more sophisticated, there was more sophisticated, there was questioning as to whether the gods questioning as to whether the gods even existed.even existed.


The Greco-Roman ContextThe Greco-Roman Context

The “civic religion” of Rome.The “civic religion” of Rome. The cult of the Emperor.The cult of the Emperor. The climate of the Ancient Near East The climate of the Ancient Near East

was particularly fertile ground for was particularly fertile ground for cults and religious movements.cults and religious movements.

At the time of Christ and Paul, pagan At the time of Christ and Paul, pagan religious expression was very broad religious expression was very broad and very diverse.and very diverse.


From Saul to PaulFrom Saul to Paul Saul, like his fellow Israelites, firmly believed Saul, like his fellow Israelites, firmly believed

in the promises of Isaiah and that they would in the promises of Isaiah and that they would be fulfilled in the Messiah. Israel’s way would be fulfilled in the Messiah. Israel’s way would be revealed as THE way, and all the world be revealed as THE way, and all the world would come to worship the one, true God.would come to worship the one, true God.

In the meantime, true Israelites would stamp In the meantime, true Israelites would stamp out error wherever and whenever they could. out error wherever and whenever they could. This militancy was not shared by all Israelites; This militancy was not shared by all Israelites; it put Saul on the road to Damascus.it put Saul on the road to Damascus.

On that road, Saul had a powerful experience On that road, Saul had a powerful experience of the Risen Christ.of the Risen Christ.


The Conversion of SaulThe Conversion of Saulby Rubensby Rubens


From Saul to PaulFrom Saul to Paul

Paul is very clear that he experienced Paul is very clear that he experienced Christ in His glorified body.Christ in His glorified body.

Therefore, Paul can call himself an Therefore, Paul can call himself an apostle.apostle.

Through that transformative experience, Through that transformative experience, Saul rethinks his entire worldview.Saul rethinks his entire worldview.

Saul becomes Paul.Saul becomes Paul.


Paul’s FaithPaul’s Faith Jesus Christ is the Messiah.Jesus Christ is the Messiah. As such, he embodies God’s plan.As such, he embodies God’s plan. He corrects the Israelite He corrects the Israelite

understanding of God’s plan.understanding of God’s plan. Jesus Christ is more than the Jesus Christ is more than the

Messiah, he is the Son of God.Messiah, he is the Son of God. The transformation from Saul’s faith The transformation from Saul’s faith

to Paul’s faith is Paul’s understanding to Paul’s faith is Paul’s understanding of the Cross.of the Cross.


Paul’s Theology of the CrossPaul’s Theology of the Cross Central to Paul’s theology.Central to Paul’s theology. The meaning of the cross can only be The meaning of the cross can only be

known through the resurrection.known through the resurrection. The resurrection shows God’s victory over The resurrection shows God’s victory over

evil; evil had done its worst and God had evil; evil had done its worst and God had emerged triumphant.emerged triumphant.

Therefore, the covenant promises were Therefore, the covenant promises were fulfilled: Golgotha the dung heap becomes fulfilled: Golgotha the dung heap becomes God’s “holy mountain.”God’s “holy mountain.”

Israel’s understanding of the Israel’s understanding of the transformation of Israel and the world transformation of Israel and the world through the Messiah was WRONG, however, through the Messiah was WRONG, however, it is a transformation nonetheless.it is a transformation nonetheless.


Paul’s Theology of the CrossPaul’s Theology of the Cross The resurrection is a complete reversal The resurrection is a complete reversal

of the world’s values. Shame has of the world’s values. Shame has become glory, and glory, shame. The become glory, and glory, shame. The foolish are wise and the wise, foolish. foolish are wise and the wise, foolish. The weak are strong, and the strong, The weak are strong, and the strong, weak.weak.

The “powers and principalities” are The “powers and principalities” are defeated.defeated.

The reign of sin and death is replaced by The reign of sin and death is replaced by the reign of grace and righteousness.the reign of grace and righteousness.


Paul’s Theology of the CrossPaul’s Theology of the Cross The cross is the culmination of God’s The cross is the culmination of God’s

covenant faithfulness and love. covenant faithfulness and love. (Romans). Paul does not separate the (Romans). Paul does not separate the cross from God’s promises to Abraham.cross from God’s promises to Abraham.

Christ died for our sins and ushered in Christ died for our sins and ushered in a new creation (Gal 6:15). Sin = a new creation (Gal 6:15). Sin = covenant unfaithfulness.covenant unfaithfulness.

This theology does not make God’s This theology does not make God’s promises to Israel irrelevant: in fact promises to Israel irrelevant: in fact Paul firmly places it in the covenant Paul firmly places it in the covenant context.context.


Jesus Christ is KingJesus Christ is King

In Rom 1:3-4, Paul announces the In Rom 1:3-4, Paul announces the restoration of the Israelite monarchy.restoration of the Israelite monarchy.

Christ is the Messiah, but as a “Son Christ is the Messiah, but as a “Son of David” he is also the King.of David” he is also the King.

See Gen 49:10, Gal 3:19See Gen 49:10, Gal 3:19 Christ’s Kingship extends to the Christ’s Kingship extends to the

entire world since in Him, all is entire world since in Him, all is fulfilled.fulfilled.


Jesus Christ is LordJesus Christ is Lord As King of the world, Jesus Christ is As King of the world, Jesus Christ is

Lord over all. A slap at the Roman Lord over all. A slap at the Roman imperial cult.imperial cult.

Jesus Christ is also “Lord” in a divine Jesus Christ is also “Lord” in a divine sense.sense.

While remaining within the Jewish belief While remaining within the Jewish belief of one God, Paul expands “one God” to of one God, Paul expands “one God” to include Jesus. He does this by means of include Jesus. He does this by means of the Wisdom tradition of Scripture.the Wisdom tradition of Scripture.


Wisdom Personified and ChristWisdom Personified and ChristPhil 2:5-11Phil 2:5-11Let the same mind be in you that was in Let the same mind be in you that was in

Christ Jesus,Christ Jesus,who, thought he was in the form of God,who, thought he was in the form of God,did not regard equality with Goddid not regard equality with Godas something to be exploited,as something to be exploited,but emptied himself, taking the form of a but emptied himself, taking the form of a

slaveslavebeing born in human likeness.being born in human likeness.And being found in human form,And being found in human form,he humbled himself and became obedient he humbled himself and became obedient

to the point of death –to the point of death –even death on a cross.even death on a cross.Therefore, God also high exalted himTherefore, God also high exalted himAnd gave him the name that is above And gave him the name that is above

every name,every name,So that at the name of Jesus every knee So that at the name of Jesus every knee

should bend,should bend,In heaven and on earth and under the In heaven and on earth and under the

earth,earth,And every tongue should confessAnd every tongue should confessthat Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of

God the Father.God the Father.

Sirach 24:2-4, 8-Sirach 24:2-4, 8-In the midst of the assembly [Wisdom] In the midst of the assembly [Wisdom] opens her mouth,opens her mouth,And in the presence of his hosts she And in the presence of his hosts she tells of her glory:tells of her glory:I came forth from the mouth of the I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth Most High, and covered the earth like a mist.like a mist.I dwelt in the highest heavens,I dwelt in the highest heavens,And my throne was a pillar of cloud.And my throne was a pillar of cloud.

Then the Creator of all things gave me Then the Creator of all things gave me a command,a command,And my Creator chose the place for And my Creator chose the place for my tent.my tent.He said “make your dwelling in Jacob,He said “make your dwelling in Jacob,And in Israel receive your inheritance.And in Israel receive your inheritance.Before the ages, in the beginning, he Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me,created me,And for all the ages I shall not cease And for all the ages I shall not cease to be.to be.In the holy tent I ministered before In the holy tent I ministered before him,him,And so I was established in Zion.And so I was established in Zion.Thus in the beloved city he gave me a Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting place,resting place,And Jerusalem was my domain.And Jerusalem was my domain.


The Gospel of PaulThe Gospel of Paul Paul sees his mission as the messenger of the Paul sees his mission as the messenger of the

King (evangelion).King (evangelion). Through Jesus Christ, the decisive victory against Through Jesus Christ, the decisive victory against

sin and death has been won.sin and death has been won. Through the resurrection, the New Age has come. Through the resurrection, the New Age has come.

Covenant promises are fulfilled and all, Jew and Covenant promises are fulfilled and all, Jew and non-Jew are called to oneness in and through the non-Jew are called to oneness in and through the recognition and worship of the Creator of All.recognition and worship of the Creator of All.

Jesus Christ is Messiah and King.Jesus Christ is Messiah and King. Jesus Christ is Lord; human and divine.Jesus Christ is Lord; human and divine. Jesus Christ is God’s love incarnate.Jesus Christ is God’s love incarnate. The Father send the Spirit of Jesus to remain with The Father send the Spirit of Jesus to remain with

us.us.


The First Stirrings of a The First Stirrings of a Trinitarian TheologyTrinitarian Theology

1 Cor 12:4-61 Cor 12:4-6Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same

Spirit;Spirit;And there are varieties of services, but the And there are varieties of services, but the

same Lord;same Lord;And there are varieties of activities, but it is And there are varieties of activities, but it is

the same God who activates them in the same God who activates them in everyone.everyone.

Paul not only redefines the understanding of the Paul not only redefines the understanding of the covenant, he begins to redefine God. He concludes covenant, he begins to redefine God. He concludes that God, ultimately, is love.that God, ultimately, is love.


Paul’s Message to JewsPaul’s Message to Jews

Israel’s vindication has come.Israel’s vindication has come. Israel must recognize Jesus Christ as Israel must recognize Jesus Christ as

the One about whom the Scriptures the One about whom the Scriptures speak.speak.

The Law is no longer necessary; the The Law is no longer necessary; the world is perfected in Christ Jesus.world is perfected in Christ Jesus.

Israel must join Paul in preaching the Israel must join Paul in preaching the Good News to all the world.Good News to all the world.


Paul’s Message to GentilesPaul’s Message to Gentiles

The God of Israel is the one, true The God of Israel is the one, true God. All worship is to be directed to God. All worship is to be directed to Him. All else is idolatry.Him. All else is idolatry.

God’s promises to the world through God’s promises to the world through Israel are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.Israel are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is Savior, King and Lord.Jesus Christ is Savior, King and Lord. Repent and believe in Him!Repent and believe in Him!


The Misunderstood ApostleThe Misunderstood Apostle

Paul remained fully rooted in his Judaism; not Paul remained fully rooted in his Judaism; not so for us.so for us.

Paul expected an immanent parousia (return Paul expected an immanent parousia (return of Christ); we generally do not.of Christ); we generally do not.

Paul’s letters must be taken in the context of Paul’s letters must be taken in the context of the communities to which he is writing; we the communities to which he is writing; we often do not know a great deal about that often do not know a great deal about that context.context.

Therefore, we do not find the interpretation of Therefore, we do not find the interpretation of his language or his thought an easy matter.his language or his thought an easy matter.


The Misunderstood ApostleThe Misunderstood Apostle Paul’s theology of the cross did not Paul’s theology of the cross did not

include the concept of original sin.include the concept of original sin. Paul’s theology of justification and Paul’s theology of justification and

grace does not detach faith and grace does not detach faith and works.works.

Paul does not comment on social Paul does not comment on social structures.structures.

Paul did not scorn The Law; he Paul did not scorn The Law; he regarded it as no longer necessary.regarded it as no longer necessary.

Paul was not anti-Semitic.Paul was not anti-Semitic.


Paul’s Message to Us?Paul’s Message to Us? We continue to spread the Good News We continue to spread the Good News

of Jesus Christ.of Jesus Christ. We continue to recognize and use our We continue to recognize and use our

gifts for the good of our Christian gifts for the good of our Christian mission.mission.

We continue to confront idolatry.We continue to confront idolatry. We work to correct misguided We work to correct misguided

understandings of God. (In the West, understandings of God. (In the West, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism)Moralistic Therapeutic Deism)


Romans 8:38-39Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death, nor For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things

present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all height, nor depth, nor anything else in all

creation, will be able to separate us from the creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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