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Apostle Paul and Christianity Essay

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Updated: Mar 20th, 2024
  1. Introduction
  2. Paul’s Christological Teachings and their Present Day Application
  3. Works Cited
  4. Footnotes

Introduction

Apostle Paul and Christianity are almost synonymous for he is a major pillar in the foundation of Christianity. His teachings most of which are recorded in his letters to diverse church communities during the initial stages of the rise of Christianity has played a profound role in giving Christians especially non –Jews confidence in Christ Jesus thereby strengthening their faith. Paul’s Christology is discernible by the passion of his commitment to Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour and Lord of all human races. In this task, we shall look at Paul’s Christological teachings to deal with the practical problems of the recipients of his letters as well as their possible present day relevance.

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Paul’s Christological Teachings and their Present Day Application

Christological ThemePaul’s ApplicationToday’s Application
Jesus as the Son of GodAccording to the author of book provided 1Paul uses the word son of God to express the actual relationship between Jesus and God the father. The author further explain that the term signify the pre-existence of Jesus in an everlastingly subordinate role with the father but of similar character within the Godhead (1 Cor 15:28).Dunn 2argues that Paul’s use the term Son of God picture a heavenly sonship.From Paul’s Reference to Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Christians learn and appreciate God’s Love which saw Jesus Christ given as a ransom for their sins. Christians learn that just like Jesus Christ was brought back to life they too shall rise from their memorial tombs when Christ will come to take his Church. His application is used to affirm to Christians the need to accept Christ as the only way to being a child of God and as the only way to restoration of a personal relationship with God
Jesus as LordThe author of the book provided 3asserts that Paul reference to Jesus as Lord means the pre-existent spirituality of Jesus as the Old Testament “Lord”. Dunn4states that Jesus was given the status of Lord by God as the proper name of his justification following his obedient death.Christians learn that if indeed in truth and spirit they confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead they are saved Rom 10:9.Today the term is used to affirm to the world that Jesus was Lord God manifesting himself in human form and that he is indeed Lord just like his father.
Jesus as God’s WisdomBefore Jesus Christ was revealed to humankind God’s wisdom was recognized by the Israelites in and through the law. Paul however that the preexistent wisdom was now to be recognized in and as Christ the saviour of all human kind5.Author of the book provided 6argues that Paul refers to Jesus as the Wisdom of God to reject any assertion of superiority by any believer.The teaching can be used to dissuade Christians from looking down upon others as less civilized or witted especially if they are more educated than some church members since they all belong to the body of Christ. It is used to admonish Christians to look at the cross which appeared foolish to the world as the epitomized Wisdom of God who does not think like a man7.Christians should not show off because of their intellectual abilities instead they should regard them as gifts from God and a blessing to their churches.
Jesus as Image of GodPaul’s concepts of Jesus as the image of God plainly means the copy of God and that He draw from and share the nature of God fully8.It can be used to show Christians the need to be sanctified from their sins so as to like Jesus who was an expression of the Invisible holy God. It can also be used by preachers and teachers of the word to show the spiritual superiority of Jesus Christians against false teachings of the day that Jesus was an ordinary philosopher
Jesus as the Last AdamPaul’s concern in his calling of Christ the last Adam was to lay out the full salvation plan of God and explain the nature of sin, author of the book provided 9.The referring to Christ as last Adam stress the full humanity of Jesus whose ready death gives humanity a way of vindication10.It can be used to show the church of Christ how the whole story of creation, salvation and destiny of humankind is completed in Christ. It can also be used to urge Christians to pursue righteousness with regard to the second coming of Jesus Christ through who light is brought to the world.

Works Cited

Dunn, J.D.The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Eerdssmans Publishing, New York, 2006.

Fitzmyer, J.A. According to Paul: St+udies in the Theology of the Apostle, Paulist, New York, 1999.

NB: The third book was uploaded by the client and I do not have the full bibliographical information that’s why it is not written comprehensively within this list.

Footnotes

  1. Book provided 159.
  2. Dunn, J.D.The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Eerdssmans Publishing, New York, 2006 p.243.
  3. Book provided p 159.
  4. Dunn, J.D.The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Eerdssmans Publishing, New York, 2006 p. 246.
  5. Dunn, J.D.The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Eerdssmans Publishing, New York, 2006. p. 246.
  6. Book provided p.161.
  7. Book provided p. 161.
  8. Book provided p.161.
  9. Book provided p.161.
  10. Fitzmyer, J.A. According to Paul: Studies in the Theology of the Apostle, Paulist, New York, 1999.p.15.
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IvyPanda. (2024) 'Apostle Paul and Christianity'. 20 March.

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IvyPanda. 2024. "Apostle Paul and Christianity." March 20, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/apostle-paul-and-christianity/.

1. IvyPanda. "Apostle Paul and Christianity." March 20, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/apostle-paul-and-christianity/.


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