Paul’s Letter to the Galatians plays a pivotal role in shaping theological understanding as we know it. It has provoked us to rethink about our relationship with God, and to reconsider who really is this God we serve? In this case, Galatians holds such great reverence among Christians in answering these overarching questions, because of Paul’s skillful ability to challenge authority and condemn the Galatians for following under “the desires of the flesh,” rather than living by “the Spirit” (5.16). In order for us to understand the significance of Galatians and its role in shaping our interpretation of these questions, we must first cultivate a deeper understanding of the context behind Paul’s letter within the interest of the contemporary reader.…
Analysis of Paul 's Actions in the Story Paul 's Case The case of Paul presents many complex angles that may have affected Paul in ways that are difficult to determine, such as his upbringing, family life (or lack of), time period, sexuality, and others. Paul developed an unhealthy relationship with art, to the point of obsession. An unrelated, but no less destructive view of money fused with his art addiction to eventually lead to Paul 's downfall. These two independent problems are not unusual (especially concerning money), but they may have been fused together by Paul 's struggle with his sexually in a non-accepting time period. Paul has a relationship with art strikingly similar to the relationship a drug addict has with his…
Paul and his Undisputed Letters In Paul’s Undisputed Letters, Paul is talking to a group of people that aren’t clearly identified. Through context clues and identifying the characteristics of each group that he could be talking to, it is easy to decipher whom he is referring to. The Gentiles are a group of people who worship many gods, are not descendants of Abraham, are not circumcised, and do not follow the Law of Moses. The Jews are a group of people who are monotheistic, descendants of Abraham, circumcised, follow the Law of Moses, and also do their worshipping in a temple.…
My reflection on Paul’s Argument in Romans: A. The human situation (life without Christ) The Gentiles and Jews were “under the power of sin” or living in “the flesh” (Thibodaux, video). To the Gentiles, from chapter 1:18-32, Paul addressed idolatry (1:22-25) and sexual perversion (1:26-32). St. Paul said, "They are filled with every form of wickedness, evil, greed, and malice" and then lists a multitude of sins: envy, murder, rivalry, treachery, spite, gossips, and hate of God. According to St. Paul, the Gentiles are "insolent, haughty, boastful, ingenious in their wickedness, and rebellious toward their parents.…
Like it or not, humans tend to receive influences from their surroundings. Whether external or internal, influences help people grow and develop as human beings. Willa Cather’s short story, “Paul’s Case,” revolves around Paul, a boy who seems out of place from everyone else. He often conflicts with teachers and his father due to his troublesome attitude and personality. After getting suspended from school, Paul finds comfort while working as an usher at Carnegie Hall.…
The Roman church had not yet been visited and had no New Testament because the gospels were not yet being circulated in their final written form. Thus, this letter may well have been the first piece of Christian literature the Roman believers had seen. In Roman culture to choose to be a servant was unthinkable. Paul was a Roman citizen but chose to be entirely dependent on and abide in Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1). Paul’s impact was made known because of his citizenship and willingness to serve and obey Jesus…
Romans 1-8 was written by the Apostle Paul, between the years of 56-57 A.D. During the book of Romans chapters 1-8, there are several topics covered; to include The Natural World, Human Identity, Human Relationships, and Culture. Paul’s word inspired numerous of believers to understand the true fundamentals and foundations of the Christian faith by informing them salvation is obtained through faith in God. “Paul teaches about the sinful nature of all men in the eyes of God, justification by faith in Jesus Christ, freedom from sin, and victory in Christ” (Smith). II.…
WHY WE SHOULD STUDY THE BOOK OF ROMANS One reason to study the book of Romans is found in 2 Timothy 2:15, which reads, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It is very important for us to study the Scriptures. Reading the Scriptures is not merely a nice thing to do.…
People always look for ways to fit in; they look for places where they belong. That is the struggle of Paul and his decision to find a place for which he can be himself. “Paul’s Case” written by Willa Cather is a story in how Paul struggles to fit in at his hometown but decides to go someplace else to be accepted. Paul is conflicted about reaching the expectations put on him by his father and being accepted by his classmates and teachers, he chooses the path of pursuing his own desires or complying with what people wants him to become.…
Stoicism first originated as an ancient Greek Philosophy founded by Zeno of modern day Cyprus in 300 BCE originally influenced by Socrates and the Cynics. [5] The philosophy began to flourish in the period of the Roman Empire influencing many people including early Christians. Whether the citizens of the Roman Empire were aware of it or not, the morals within it were prominently centered around stoicism. [1] Although the Stoic following consisted mostly of upper-class citizens, lower-class Christian’s were exposed to the Stoic philosophy through a small, yet influential minority which would have been informed and carried its knowledge of stoicism to their fellow believers of the lower-class as both belonged to the same world. Coincidentally,…
In the book of Acts there have been many great stories that have been told. But the most influential story of all of these is the story of Paul. The story of Paul does not start off with Paul it actually starts off with Saul. The story is about how Saul turns into Paul and has this amazing transformation. The story starts off with Saul going around persecuting Christians.…
Christianity and Judaism was a big deal in Roman and Greek culture during the period of the New Testament. Religion seemed to be the center of many conflicts and separation between civilizations during this time. The birth of Jesus brought in a lot of controversies within Hellenistic cultures and therefore we see many influences of the new covenant in several of the sculptures and art work created by Greco-Roman artists. Going to the Getty Villa, I was able to find many connections between the collection of Greco-Roman antiquities—including the sculptures and even the general atmosphere of the museum—and the historicity of the New Testament. Driving into the Getty Villa It is hard not to note the stone pavement which makes for a bumpy ride.…
Myself and many fellow Christians can closely understand what Piper means. Any reader studying in the book of Romans feels a sense of inner revival, assurance, and strengthening of their relationship with God. In particular, chapter eight stands out. This chapter does so much to describe and pronounce God’s goodness and love, and packs these with many indescribably amazing truths. When I read this chapter its message seems to travel to the depths of my soul.…
Introduction: “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is well for a man not to touch a woman.’” This is according to the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. Although Saint Paul goes on to say that it is better for one to be married to avoid sexual immorality, historians widely believe that his sexual ethics, especially in relation to virginity, played a significant role in the lives of Christians, especially young women, throughout the early Church. The Acts of Paul, an apocryphal text according to Saint Jerome, written between 185-195 C.E. relates an expanded treatise of Paul’s understanding of the necessity, or lack thereof, for identifiable sexuality within human life and marriage. Expounded upon further…
It is a common practice in short fiction to highlight the negative aspects of the human struggle. One of the main ways this is conveyed in through isolation which brings intense focus on the actions of the main character. In “Paul’s Case” by Willa Cather, the main character, Paul, is a young teen that is considered a “bad case” because he is unable to act like the typical child his age. This is intensifies when he steals money and runs away to New York. In Katherine Mansfield’s “Miss Brill” the main character is an older woman who, instead of interacting with others and living her life, chooses to put on her fur coat and watch as people meander around her.…