Thesis

The focus point of the NT is the Person of Jesus Christ

            However there are differences in the presentation of Jesus according to context, culture and needs of the particular community to which it is addressed. For instance the main thrust of the synoptic gospel is the proclamation of the KINGDOM OF GOD in the words and deeds of Jesus, ie the Historical Jesus and his mission. But Paul’s main concern is not Jesus’ words and deeds but his DEAD and RESURRECTION, Because Paul never was a disciple of Jesus Christ. His decisive moment came when the Risen Lord   encountered him on the way to Damascus. * Theology of each Gospels.

The Damascus Experience Constituted Saul, a Pharisee and Persecutor of the Church, into a believer in Jesus Christ and on Apostle to the Gentiles ( Gal 1:1, 11-17)

            Paul the Pharisee was born of Jewish Parents at Tarsus in the Region of Cilicia. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. He had inherited two cultures, Jewish culture by birth and Hellenistic culture by life. Paul studied law in Jerusalem under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He claimed himself to be a Pharisee, a strict observer of the law (Phil 3:6). His Judaistic faith and orthodoxy led him to persecute the Christians movement. We can see this in his indirect participation in Stephen’s Martyrdom (Acts 7: 58-8:3). His zeal for orthodoxy and hatred towards Christians led him to the foreign city of Damascus, with the commission from the chief priests to persecute the Christians there. (He might not have seen Jesus 2Cor 5:16 we saw Christ from the human point of view.)

            Though there are different accounts of the Damascus experience, Gal1:1, 11-17 is more authentic because it is in Paul’s own words he claims that the light of the Risen Christ Penetrated into the depths of his being and he surrendered himself to the Risen Lord. Here he realizes that crucified Jesus is the Messiah. From this time on wards Jesus became the center of his life and activity. This decisive event changed Saul, the Pharisee and the persecuted Apostle of Christ. He became the Apostle to the Gentiles because he realized that salvation is also extended to the Gentiles.

            The significance of this event is that:

·                     It changed the Jewish messianic theology of Pharisaic rabbi-Paul. Paul sees the whole place of God for the salvation of humankind in a new light, illumined by the Risen and glorified Christ.

·                     Persecutor becomes persecuted. The man, who was totally devotal to the law as the means of salvation, realizes that through Christ alone we can experience God’s salvation.

Apostle to the Gentiles: a specific a call like that of Jeremiah. To be an apostle means.

·                     One must have a vision of Christ (1Cor 9:1, 15:7-9)

·                     Commissioned by the Risen Christ (Gal 1:16-17)

So Paul is an Apostle not through human beings. His apostleship is ultimately from God through Jesus Christ, commissioned to preach the gospel to the gentiles (Gal 1:16)            .

Note: Here we see that Paul defends the validity of the gospel he preached to the Galatians church because somebody questioned his validity and turned to some other Gospel. Those who opposed Paul were Jewish Christians who insisted that the Gentiles observe the Mosaic Law (circumcision) ----- (they were not against the Gentile mission contrary to them Paul preached a law free Gospel).

            How Paul does defends the revelatory nature of the Gospel. He says three things:

1.       V.10 Paul makes reference to the cynic philosophers who please people, where as Paul claims that he doesn’t please people, that he is servant of God.

2.       . 11 he has not received the Gospel from another human agent.

3.       The Gospel came through a revelation of JXt, and the consequences of this are the transformation is his life (v 13-14).

V.15 he describes his experience by using the language of the OT prophetic call eg Jer 1:5; Is 49: 1,5.

 Paul makes direct reference to Yhwh (Gal1:15 he = YHWH). By using the prophetic call formula, he keeps his call parallel with them. But there is subtle difference. Paul addressed to their own relation. (Here Paul transcends). Here Paul criticize of his opponents echo the language of the OT prophets of their time “false prophets” (Dt 13: 12 -18)

How did Damascus experience stop Pauline Theology?

1. Paul’s understanding of God= Law giver to transforming grace
2. Paul’s understanding of the expected messiah
3. Paul’s understanding of salvation history. (Damascus experience and pastoral concerns—Personal transformation and re-interpretations so scriptures and trillions for our times).

The theological perspective of Pauline corpus is centered on the salvific events of Jesus’ Death and resurrection (1Cor 15: 3-5)

            This passage is considered as the core of the Christian Kerygma. It is the Gospel that Paul received (paralambano), and is the same Gospel Paul wanted to hand on (Paradidomi) to the world. ( this would count Paul in the numbers of Rabbis) that Gospel is (vv3-5) –Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was Buried and that he was Raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures and that he appeared to Peter and to all the twelve.

1. Christ died for our sins: “For” means on behalf, in place of = Christ died of behalf of humans to deal with our sins. According to the scriptures: would mean in accordance with OT categories ie, it is a sacrifice, it has got atoning power (Is 52: 13, 53:12) Sacrifice is related to Punishment, atonement. The suffering educed by the people of God had the power of atonement?
2. Buried: It is the further affirmation of his death. Behind this statement there must have been the EMPTY TOMB story.
3. “Raised on the third day” certain possibilities that it was the first time appearance empty tomb must have been discovered on the third day. The first Christians assembled on the first day of the week (the Lord’s Day). It is a typical number according to the history of Jewish religion. The data derived from the scripture (Hos 6:2)

Death and resurrection of Jesus: This whole process is the fulfillment to the eternal purpose of God. And also the death is to destroy sin from which man has to be liberated.

“Appeared to Cephas”: Peter us singled out in Mk 16:7. This shows Peter’s Pre-eminence in the early church, 12 are Pauline formula. They are the WITNESS of the continuity between Jesus of Nazareth and the Risen Lord.

Jesus Appeared: Empty tomb is not the authentic proof of Christ resurrection but his appearance.

Paul expresses these saving events also through Metaphors: Reconciliation (2Cor 5:18-21), Redemption and sacrifice ( Rom 3:24b -25).

Reconciliation (2Cor 5: 18-21): The author of reconciliation is God. He takes the initiative. Reconciliation takes place in and through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are the ambassadors of reconciliation. As a righteous man: without sin”, Christ took the curse of human sinfulness on himself. His absolute obedience to the father, manifests in his willingness to be crucified, through innocent, was meritorious enough to provide a ransom from dermal condemnation for those who believe in him, thus achieving: reconciliation” with God on behalf of sinful humanity.

Redemption Rom3:24b

            It was practiced in Jewish and Greco-Roman culture. In that society, poor of slave could be bought. OT understanding is buying back freedom. Brother\sister\relative had the duty to buy back the slave from the owner God redeemed Israelites from Egypt Ex 15: 16, 19:5. Paul speaks in OT sense. Jesus redeemed humans form sins and mode them sons of God. Justification is not due to one’s own merit, but a sheer gift of God. This is realized by the redemption of Christ. Christians are not only justified bur also redeemed. Jesus’ death and resurrection has basic background in OT. This redemption has an eschatological aspect ie God would deliver humans at the end of time (Hos 13:14, Is 59: 20. Ps 130).

Sacrifice (Rom 3:25)

            God takes the initiative for the atonement of human sins through the sending and death and resurrection of his son. Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus offered mot proprietary but on expiatory sacrifice. Expiatory sacrifice was offered once a year (Lev 14:16). Sacrifice and prayers offered in the temple reached God atonement fro people and high priest’s sins. YOM KIPPURIM Sacrifice is offered as atonement for sins. Here Jesus is the Hilesterion = atonement. Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice not for preparation as OT understanding but for Identification, to unite humans with God. This sacrifice is once and for all. The sins committed previously were forgiven. Jesus’ blood wipes them out with regard to future too, God vindicates through the Death of his son. He is the acquitter and saviour of humans.

 The salvific effects of these saving events are appropriated through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom1: 16-17)

            Effect of Christ event is the righteousness on justification by God. Gospel is the power of God. It is not a philosophy, not a message or system. It is the power of God, because it is the story of the Cross) we can only be servants of the Gospel. It carries power that will effect our salvation.

(V.16) “Power of God for Salvation” The content of the Gospel is the crucified Christ who brings salvation. Salvation has two aspects 1. Already realized in faith and baptism (real) all realized eschatological. Lived out (Ideal). The salvation Paul speaks has a communitarian dimension. The salvation Christ offers is the fullness of life, a communion of Love.

“Faith” It means the knowledge, the understanding and acceptance and surrender to the person of Jesus. If once does this God will give salvation. (Faith is a Free act of the human will)

“Everyone” God doesn’t exclude anyone from salvation. No first and second but all are inheritors to the covenantal promise. ( Paul attacks the selfish, individualistic, exclusivist understanding of Jewish ideas of salvation).

“Righteousness Of God” It is often translated as justification. Pauline concept OF God’s righteousness is not derived from the law (Torah), but from the Gospel that is righteousness of faith. For Paul right is already given. It began with the death ans resurrection of Christ. Righteousness in Paul a divine quality god’s cut of justifying and acquitting. Righteousness is God’s basic attitude towards human beings and it is appropriated only through faith. It is God’s initiative in salvation.

“Faith for Faith” Faith is a gift of god. It is expressed in the community in which we enter by Baptism, nourished by Eucharist. From faith for faith was understood fo fath to more perfect faith, ie groeluoa growth in Christian faith. Thus Christ is the concrete manifestation of Divine Righteousness. Humans appropriate the effect of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.

The touch stone of authentic Christian life is AGAPE (Rom 12: 8-10) 1Cor 13:13

            An authentic Christian life is Agape. There are 5 terms for love

1. Agape is used for human love, love of God and Christ, generous service out of love, love feast.
2. Philia is used for friendship
3. Koinonia is sharing participation
4. Storage is love affection in the family circle.
5. Eros is sexual love.

In NT agape is much used, loving God alone is improper. Loving neighbour should be understood as loving God. It is not gospel value when I do not love my neighbour and say and love god, and should experience the love of god in loving my neighbour.