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St. Paul's contribution to the evolution of Christianity
The influence of the apostle paul
The influence of the apostle paul
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Major Themes of Paul
The Apostle Paul is known to be one of the most significant influences in modern Christianity. His conversion, church-building and encouragement from his letters has been the cause of widespread faith known today. Though there are many translations and versions of the original text, there are core themes Paul stood for that are fundamental to Christianity. Some of these major themes include: righteousness, reconciliation, grace, justification, sanctification, redemption, cosmos, and the cross. This paper will take an inductive approach at two of those themes; righteousness and justification.
What does the term justification mean? Dr. Charles Stanley explains, "The Greek verb tense used in this verse means a once-and for-all
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The Greek word dikaiósis (justification) means divinely approved, divinely pardoned, acquitted, the process of absolution. Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosuné which means, justice, justness, divine approval (Strong 's Greek, …show more content…
Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Here Paul appears to reiterate that believers are justified, not under the penalty of death due to sin, but he also clarifies that does not mean freedom to continue to sin. Within those passages, he is saying that we are slaves to the one we obey. Becoming slaves to obedience leads to righteousness, which according to the Greek definition, we gain divine approval. Paul also points out that righteousness is not exclusive to Jews or Gentiles. Romans 3:21-23 English Standard Version (ESV), “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Once again, he is reinforcing the point that righteousness is
Christianity falls under the category of Theism, which is the belief in only one personal god. Christian worldview believes that God sent humanity His only son so that we can learn about God and how He wants us to act. Jesus is crucified later in His life on a cross, which relieved us from losing a relationship with God due to our sins. When analyzing the Christian worldview, we learn that God came to earth in human form as Jesus Christ to experience life with humanity and restore earth back to harmony. In this paper I will discuss God, Jesus, and humanity individually, how restoration will occur, and finally, analyze and reflect on the Christian worldview.
This paper is written to discuss the many different ideas that have been discussed over the first half of Theology 104. This class went over many topics which gave me a much better understanding of Christianity, Jesus, and the Bible. I will be addressing two topics of which I feel are very important to Christianity. First, I will be focusing on the question did Jesus claim to be God? This is one of the biggest challenges of the Bibles that come up quite often. Secondly, I will focus on character development.
A Christian apologetic method is a verbal defense of the biblical worldview. A proof is giving a reason for why we believe. This paper will address the philosophical question of God’s existence from the moral argument. The presuppositional apologetic method of Reformed thinkers Cornelius Van Til and John Frame will be the framework. Topics covered here could undoubtedly be developed in more depth, but that would be getting ahead, here is the big picture.
In continuation of the sentence of verse 20, where it concludes by saying “grace did much more abound”, this should not be misunderstood to mean quantity, or degree of measure. It is not conveying the thought of measurement as if to say grace is weighed or numbered in measurements liken unto the system of the earthly realm, where man operates in this manner. We must realize that God neither thinks, nor operates like man. God will never conform to the ways of man; man must conform and then be transformed into the image and likeness of God’s persona. What the Scripture is conveying unto the readers mind is, that “grace”, which is the unmerited favor of God’s benevolence towards humanity, shatters and abolishes the stronghold of sin from having dominion over the lives of those who choose to be obedient and conform to God’s will.
MacArthur writes, “When believers sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts, they affirm their submission to His control, instruction, and guidance. In so doing they also declare and submit to God’s sovereign majesty” (200) Further in verse 15 it says “be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.” The word “answer” is also interpreted “defense” which comes from the word apologia which is where the term apologetics is from. Later on Peter will define that “hope” as the Gospel. Peter admonishes to keep a clean conscience in verse 16. The word “conscience” comes from two Latin words: con, meaning, “with,” and scio, meaning “two know”. The conscience of the believer is the internal device that witnesses to us, and enables us to “know”, and approves our actions or
Benchmark Assignment: Gospel Essentials There are several aspects to consider when exploring the Christian worldview. There are many facets and denominations and they each have their own distinct beliefs and practices, but they all share the same fundamental beliefs. In this paper we will explore the character of God, His creation, humanity and its nature, Jesus’ significance to the world, and the restoration of humanity, as well as my beliefs and the way that I interact with Christianity and my personal worldview. God In the Christian worldview, God is the one and only God. He is the sovereign creator of everything.
The final cause: the end, that for the sake of which a thing is done
Romans 3:9, “What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.” The Jews have God’s law and think they’re righteous, however, they are actually breaking it in many ways (Hindson & Towns). In Romans 3:28-30 it is written that man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Today, Christians face the cultural challenges, which involve the laws and morals within their society. An important element for a faithful Christian is the daily practice of sanctification. Sanctification, the impartation of God’s righteousness and through the believer conform him progressively to the image of Jesus Christ (Hindson & Towns) impacts the believer in Christ from a cultural perspective. The believers Holy Spirit must be nourished daily through their faith in Jesus Christ in the world of sin that we live. I know that I have to filter through all that I am exposed with in my culture. I have to make important decisions that fall in line with my beliefs. It is especially challenging with the ever changing secular movement which degrades and drifts away from our Christian values and
In these letters Paul provides the most complete statement of the doctrine in the New Testament. If want to know the ins and outs of Christianity, let people check out the writings of Paul to the Romans. So says a notable interpreter. Because of that this note on Romans should earnestly by every Christian, as very important and contains the full spiritual object.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom 8:1-2). Paul believes if you are in Christ Jesus, then you will be saved. Because of Jesus' selflessness, he has freed us from sin and death. God had created the world through wisdom and with Adam we then were under the reign of sin. Then, with the resurrection of Jesus, He freed us from the law and we entered into a period of grace with God. We are living by the Spirit in an era of grace, so therefore we should be dead to sin. Paul explains this in greater detail in the beginning of Romans in 3:9.
“The salvation of God is the cure: sin is the disease” (Kevan, Ernest F. Salvation. Michigan: Baker, 1963. Print.), when I first saw this quote it really stuck out to me, the statement is true in my opinion. The only way to get rid of a disease is to find the cure. Salvation is what we need to be spiritually whole, that is why we are made new when we accept God into our heart, and we get “saved”. Throughout this paper I will explain what is means to be “saved”, for what we are saved, and through what?
The doctrine of salvation contains various aspects. The intent of this research paper is to provide a general overview of salvation from the angle of justification, propitiation, grace, redemption, and sanctification.
Inc. Doctrine of the Person of Christ. Volume II. 1970. The. Gruden, Wayne. Systematic Theology.
The beginnings of my life are an interesting jumble, and they highlight the cosmopolitan world that was the Roman Empire. I was born in an Asian city now located on the southern coast of Turkey called Tarsus in about the year 10. My parents were Jewish, presumably strict Pharisees. They were also Roman citizens.
And again, “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus. . . since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.” Gal. 2:16.