Was Paul called or converted?

I found it interesting that scholars debate on whether Paul was converted or called. Krister Stendahal is one that argues that Paul was not converted from one religions group to another but stayed a faithful Jew when he encountered Christ. Stendahal argues that his experience reflects the calls of the OT prophets, yet we don’t say that they were converted. Something that would support Stendahal’s view would be that Paul also describes his call as much like the prophets. I have to argue that it would be improper to compare Paul’s experience with that of the prophets for the main reason that the prophets didn’t have an encounter with Christ. The prophets were called to address issues that retained to their culture which was still under the Old Covenant. The prophets weren’t trying to kill the disciples of the Messiah, they were just hanging around being good Jews. I have to agree with Polhill that it was definitely a conversion of the mind. Paul went from a self-centered Jew to a Christ-centered Jew. He may have stayed a Jew, but he had a totally different understanding of the Messiah which is the center point of Christianity. The question I have to pose is, “Wasn’t Paul both converted AND called?” I believe that anyone who accepts Christ is converted in mindset and also in spirit. That person also is called, however, to go and share the Gospel are they not? To go and make disciples is not really a calling for the select few of the Christian faith. It is for all. I understand that some are called for full time church ministry and some are called to missions, but all are called to be part of the church body and attribute to the making of disciples. Paul’s call to minister to the Gentiles was definitely unique and meant for him, but for anyone to have an encounter with the Jesus Christ must also be involved in evangelism.

Travis Adams

All Things to All People

In 1 Cor. 9:19-22 Paul speaks of his ability to become all things to all people. Yes, Paul a 'Hebrew of Hebrews', a Pharisee with a zeal for the Law that few could match. According to Polhill, many of Paul's writings reflected his Pharisaic Torah training and sometimes he used Midrashic methods of intrepretion (31). Paul also reflected the teachings of the Jewish traditions of his time (32). He received a commission to persecute the early Christians for his zeal and became able to "breath out threats against the Lord's disciples" (see Acts 9:1). Where Paul grew up in Tarus, his education in Jerusalem and his Roman citizenship all lent to the widespread persecution he carried out. This also led to his ability to become all things to all people. After his conversion I believe it would of been easy for Paul to maintain this kind of self righteous attitude. To somehow see himself as better than the next because of who he is and the intellgence that he posessed. To top all of this off the Messiah appeared to him personally. Paul's attitude could of been completly different and instead of seeing himself as all things to all people he could of seen them as beneath him. Yet Paul did see himself as all things to all people. To the Jew he became a Jew, to the Greek a Greek, to the weak, weak. Paul was all these things yet did not hold any as better than the other. So I have to ask the question of myself. Have I so quickly forgotten the mercy and grace that God has shown me and become 'better than'? It is easy for us to become consumed in our own little WBC world that we forget to "...become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor. 9:22). By all means necessary. So that all may know Him.

Michael Carpenter

Jews in the Buff?

Wow! Let me express first of all that I am utterly amazed at the athletic practices of the Greeks. The historical records that testify that in this ancient world we are studying actually existed places where men would compete in the buff bewilders me. I know one of our beatitudes tells us to be graceful when traveling through this foreign land, but I have a hard time doing this when reading about these ancient gymnasiums. Of course, while traveling through, I find myself not being the only one resisting accepting these athletic practices. As stated in our reading many devote Jews had major problems with these places because they found nakedness to be shameful; however, as our reading also stated, many Jews accepted and even participated in some of the games. In regards to all of this, the major question I have would be addressed to Paul, who, let us be reminded, had a very Jewish background. Would the gymnasium be a place where Christians should go or even take part. Should nakedness be shamefull for Christians? My natural, and I think biblical, response to these questions would be no, but since Pual uses many games practiced during this day as examples in conveying the Christian messege, I question my response. I know that Pual does not necessarily endorse the Greek practice of athletics, but did he have a problem with it?

If necessary, use words

Reading 2 Timothy 2:14-19, Paul places strong emphasis on the use of words and the effect they have within the church and on the faith of new believers. Empty words that reflect the ways of the world rather than edifying the faith of believers, Paul says, will lead to even more ungodliness. What is worse, pious talk that perverts the truth and decimates the faith of believers is like gangrene that will decay the church from the inside out. Such admonitions are as relevant today as they were in the early church. Verse 15 challenges believers to watch their mouths around other believers as well as out in the world. If one claims to be a follower of Christ, yet has the mouth of a sailor, then that person has just shot down their own claim and witness by behaving in an opposite way. No one’s faith is built up, nor is anyone motivated to root out ungodliness in his/her own life. Handling Scripture in a responsible manner is emphasized to the max. Paul makes examples of the distorted teachings of a couple of men in the church. It is irresponsibility with their words that is causing other believers to confuse other believers and lead them astray. There are churches today that mislead others with inaccurate interpretation of the biblical text, which can lead a person off target and cause a domino effect of other believers’ faith to go off track. As far as words go, St. Francis of Assisi may have put it best: “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.”

A Roman, Jew, or Both

Over the years in Sunday School or listening to sermons about the apostle Paul I have developed an idea of who Paul was. I have always considered Paul to be a teacher of the law and considered him to be Jewish in every aspect culturally. Therefore I have linked him to the Jews who lived in Palestine instead of the Hellenistic culture he actually grew up in. I knew Paul was a Roman citizen and he was from Tarsus but never fully understood the cultural differences between Israel and Tarsus. I never fully realized that Paul is a totally diffent kind of person culturally than the twelve disciples. The fact that someone could be a Jewish Roman citizenship and be well versed in Hellenistic culture never occured to me before and therefore I limited Paul's abilities and have misunderstood Paul as being arrogant at times rather than intelligent. Paul's possible Greek education, cultural exposure, and Roman citizenship has glimmered a whole new light upon Paul and his being chosen to the task God chose him to do. Once again even a small amount of historal culture knowledge has influenced my understanding.

Important Bground

I really liked the reading in Polhill and the class lecture on Paul’s philosophical connection. It made me think of all that I can miss when I read scripture. Learning about Stoic and Cynic philosophy in Paul’s writings reminded me of how important it is to be steeped in historical and cultural background information in order to exegete a biblical passage. The apostle’s use of a contemporary way of learning and area of public interest is a great parallel to our own ministries. We, as Christians, can learn from his example of using our modern day cultural interests, such as media, music, and our fascination with news in order to present truth’s of the gospel.

kevinc

Greek literature

When reading the Bible, I am often closed-minded. I forget that the Bible isn’t so much handed word-for-word from God's mouth to the writers of the canon, but that each writer was a real person and had experiences and a real personality. The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters offers some information on the spread of the Greek culture to the people of surrounding areas. In observing all the techniques Paul used while writing, it is clear to see that he knew how to appeal to the recipient. He quoted literature and plays with which his readers would be familiar so that they could further understand his letters (Acts 17:28, 1 Cor. 15:33, Titus 1:12). I guess this is a rather small observation, but I never really thought that any Scripture would be from something like a play that just happened to be popular around Paul’s time. I like that he used what the people knew then to more effectively communicate to the churches.

jennifer y

Oh, I wish I would have paid attention in Intro to Philosophy

Philosophy. Out of all the words mentioned, I beleive this one scares me the most. Naturally due since it is a love of wisdom, and it is BIG and Greek based. All this aside, I feel that I have taken for granted my education at WBC since there is an obviuos connection between Paul and Philosophy. Stoicism and Cynacism are words that I learned in Intro. to Philosophy back years ago, however, I never really recounted them in life until now. Paul's writing is unique because he uses many of these phiolosophical styles in writing. Polhill and Dr. Foster mentioned instances where Paul presents a rhetorical argument. As mentioned in lectures I feel that this is an important piece of knowledge in understanding not only Paul's background but also his writing style. It presents tremendous insight on his knowledge and his love for understanding. Even then though, I admire the writing simply for Paul's ability to understand this philosophy and apply it to Christian teaching. He undertands a form of secular wisdom and protrays it in such a light as to make sin become known in your own life.

A Better Understanding of Paul

I see Paul in a different light since reading a chapter from Polhill and six pages of the Dictionary of Paul. I believe that a person can better understand what Paul is talking about if they have a better understanding of Paul himself. I know a little bit about Paul, but I do not know much of anything about Tarsus and were he grew up. I never thought about Paul being around naked wrestling Greeks, if his family had money, or why he had a passion for the Gentiles. Polhill talks about God-fearers and the influence they could of had on Paul witnessing to the Gentiles. Honestly, I figured God just laid the burden on his heart (which he could have), but Paul seeing the God-fearers in the synagogue as a younger person could of had an impact on his life as well. Also, it is interesting to see some passage of scriptures that Paul used in his writings that was originally in some Greek literature. The question I ask myself is how much of his writings was influenced by the his Greek culture? Did God really think that wrestling was the best example for the passage were Paul used it or was this only used because of Paul’s background? (I’m sure this question will probably lead to a lot of feed back.) I know I can't answer my questions, but it makes me think about them.

First Facts Learned

I was not sure what I had gotten myself into when I started this class but now I am very excited. So many times I see the ministry of a man and not the man. As I read some of the history of Paul some things just made better sense. For example, I did not know how he could have been so anti-Christ only later to be such an advocate. Now that I know about the intensive training he went through in Jewish studies, I can see that his mind would not wrap around this "Jesus as the Messiah" bit because it contradicted everything he had known to be true. I notice a bit of me in that. If some other religion were presented to me, I would be staunch against it unless that God audible spoke to me, took my sight, and changed my name.
I look forward to further examining Paul, but I am also excited to get so much outside information. I really had no idea that Roman Citizenship carried so much weight. I knew that Paul was one but what advantages that gave him, I had no clue. The more background I can get about the bible times and surrounings of the authors the better. However, I am not to keen on breaking down the writting style. I guess it is because I just want to read Paul's writtings without trying to remember the difference between Lasterkatolog and Peristasenkatolog and what verse each is and more importantly will it be on the test. Such is the nature of education though, so bring it on. Those are my thoughts about the first two days of class; I am sure the tune will change with time and understanding.

Paul, The Capable Example

In 2 Timothy Paul tells Timothy to give the followers a challenge, Timothy is to remind them how to be an approved capable worker for God. Paul states that the approved worker will flee from youthful passions in v.22, and tells them to only speak words of truth, to not argue and boast and that every one of them do have a role in working for Christ whether great of small. These workers need to keep a sound mind and use gentleness in their instruction to the lost.
Paul's life is lived as a prime example of this, he used gentleness even in his anger at times in his ministry and he always tried to keep away from things that were tempting and would draw him away from the path of faithfulness to God the Father. I find it ironic that Paul was humble most of the time during his ministry, and never used his superiority unless he had to. Through reading this week's readings I found that Paul was very equipped for the mission ahead, and that every aspect of his life played a role in his minisrty from his education to his Jewish, Greek and Roman background. It just goes on to show that once again if we are willingly to follow God, HE will equip us with the right tools that we need to get the job done.
Yall's Bro in Christ , James B

Profound cultural influence

As an American Christian, I tend to view faith in Western terms, interpreting faith in my own cultural context. Culture is not always a bad thing, but it can skew the way that I view the Biblical text, even from the outset of a study. The article on Hellenism in The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters gave excellent insight into Paul's world and the Greek culture that permeated the Roman empire. While the study of Paul's education with Gamaliel receives a moderate amount of attention, I believe that some Biblical scholars fail to recognize the significance of Greek culture in relation to Paul's letters. Ignorance of Paul's Tarsian citizenship equates to ignorance of a portion of Paul's influence and worldview. Additionally, prior to Paul's conversion, Greek language and Hellenistic culture impacted the church. The impact becomes most evident in Acts 6. Grecian Jews clashed with Hebraic Jews over the distribution of food to widows. The introduction of Hellenism into Palestine resulted in the religious and cultural clashes that Paul faced throughout his ministry.

In Biblical studies, one may claim to have a firm grasp of the text, while lacking a firm grasp of what the text meant at the time of composition. If I fail to put the writings of Paul into proper geographical, historical, and cultural perspectives, I may misinterpret Paul's admonitions, missing the point of the text. As a believer, I believe that the worst that I could do with the text (besides ignoring it entirely) would be to interpret it with a sense of arrogance, looking at the passage through my own eyes. One must learn to see through the eyes of both Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews, examining faith in a context that extends beyond modern Western Christianity. When one learns to value the significance of history and culture, interpretation of scripture becomes clearer and modern application becomes easier.

In Christ,
Paul Brown

To the Jew first then to the Gentile

In reading Polhill the effectivness of Paul in his missionary journeys started to become clearer. I could not help to keep in the back of my mind the missionary stragety of Anitoch of Syria, "To the Jew first, then to the Gentile." Paul, from the reading in Polhill, had become divinely suited for this task from the Hellenistic culture he grew up in. Paul, a Jew first, educated in the finest of Hebrew schools in Jerusalem. It was to his Jewish heritage that Paul owed his faith. Paul forever remained a faithful Jew. In Tarsus where he grew up Paul owed his knowledge of the Greek language and philosophy. And to his Roman citizenship Paul owed the protection and the ability to travel freely throughout the Roman empire. What a great opportunity that has been provided by God to us so that we all may become more effective for the Kingdom of God. None of us may never be anything close to a Paul, however, the greatest opportunities often disquise themselves in the smallest tasks. God has uniquly formed and shaped each and every one of us for a significant role in the fulfillment of His plan. It is up to us to get on board.

Michael Carpenter

be approved

2 Tim. 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

I want to put my focus on verse 15 because really stood out to me. As Christians we are God’s workmanship and we are to seek his approval. Some times we forget who we are working for. We lose focus and start seeking the approval of the people we are teaching. It is necessary to remember that we are seeking God’s approval in order to correctly handle the Scripture. I recently experienced as Christian youth speaker who spoke for about an hour and did not even bring a Bible to the stage. He wanted the approval of the students and not God. This is a tragedy and as teachers we should guard ourselves against this. We can only handle the truth correctly when we look for the meaning of the scripture and use it in the context that it is meant to be used in. As a youth minister, I can personally say that this is a difficult task. I’m excited that this verse tells me to, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved.” I will never reach the standard that I am striving for as a workman because that is Christ but I can do my best.

Stephen Foust

Paul, A Roman Citizen

Having grown up constantly surrounded by the Pauline Epistles and the stories of his exploits in Acts I knew full well that he was a Roman citizen. However as I discovered as I read through Polhill just how influential that this would have been on his life as a missionary. Much like a modern missionary who must first learn another trade in order to infiltrate a closed country I see Paul in a new light. I guess growing up I always just thought that anyone who lived during this time would have had the rights and opportunities that he was afforded. His life and training not only as a tentmaker but also as a man of his world challenge me to take a look at how we do ministry. Should we be more self sufficient as ministers? This is an issue that haunts me. It appears that where he was able, Paul accepted the hospitality of the churches that he ministered to. He was also a man of his country and was obviously well versed in culture as well as a trade. Perhaps if more ministers were active not only in thier churches but also in the surrounding community we would see a more effective ministry.

Looking At Paul In a NEW Way

I suppose in reading Paul's letters in church and in my own personal quiet times, I overlooked Paul in the sense of scholarly work. Of course, in reading his letters I am aware that the man was educated and very well put together in what he said. However, when I think about Paul, or when his name is mentioned I automatically think "awesome missionary," "dedicated," and "passionate." After reading Polhill and the level of learning that Paul may have been surrounded by in his youth, I realize that Paul was more than the words above but he was a man who knew his stuff. Not only did he know his stuff, but he used it to his advantage to futher the kingdom of God. After reading, I went to look back at some passages in the Bible, and I looked at them in more of a "scholarly" fashion than before, and his sentence structure is crazy! Paul found a way to put a whole bunch of words together, and somehow make a point without coming across as too wordy.

In response to 2 Timothy 2:14-26, vs. 24 stood out to me. " And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not resentful." What a challenge.

Abbi Sawyer

PARADOX of living life on the narrow path

Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 2 Tim 2:14 The quarreling about words is where the danger lies for me in this verse in that I tend to like to argue even about words that have no consequence and this diverts my attention from where it should be pointed as Paul points out in the next verses. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Tim 2:15-16 This seems like an incredible challenge in saying that we should do our best to present ourselves to God as one who is approved, when I read that I think about all the times I have failed and probably shamed God with my actions, so many times not even trying to present myself as one approved and what a responsibility it is to truly be one approved who is not ashamed. Then comes the part where I know I have screwed up and realize the amount of care that I need to take in handling God’s word, when Paul puts the word correctly in the verse it makes this verse increasingly challenging in that I know I have handled God’s word in both a incorrect manner such as using it to justify sin allowing me to choose my own path; and sometimes in a correct manner in teaching it when I truly studied and tried to understand the implications of His word. Then in the next verse it states that we should avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in godless chatter will just become more and more ungodly. In my life I have proven this verse too many times and that is something I am striving to change, I have talked to Matt on several occasions about Ephesians 4:29 where Paul says that we should not allow any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but we should build each other up with our words, this verse along with verse 16 of the above chapter really haunts me with conviction a lot of the time. I think that these verses culminate in verse 22 as he says to "flee from the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart." As I have grown older I realize that those desires don’t just depart with time and where I should be is often not where I am and as I desire to call on the Lord with a pure heart I can identify more and more with Paul in that the good I want to do I don’t do, but I do the bad instead. This is the paradox of a life spent trying to stay on a narrow path, pushing for the actions that are in the should category when my sin nature continues to try to inhibit this way of life.
Ira Rountree

Valid confession

"Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." (2 Timothy 2:19 NIV) This scripture really put things in perspective for me. It also challenged me. If we confess to be Christians shouldn't our actions compliment our confession? Many times we as Christians like to only give God the parts our lives that we are comfortable sacrificing. We often hold onto a certain sin that we are not ready or willing to part with. The name of Christ is too valuable for our sins to deface. Calling oursleves a Christian-that is a follower of Christ- demands that we have a new life; and that we not that we turn back to our old life when it is convenient. I think that we (myself included) take Grace for granted, and do not realize the gravity of our sins nor the price for which they were payed. I have read this scripture many times before, and it is actually even underlined in my Bible, but I guess I never really took time to think about its great truth.

Steven Price

Watch your words

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 15-16) This passage really spoke to me as I read it this past week. One thing that I have struggled with and still struggle with is my tongue and keeping it under control (James 3). My main problem is encouragement though, because as I sit around with what I would call my good group of Christian friends most of the things that we say are words that put down each other and for more than the last year here at Williams I have struggled with Ephesians 4:29. That is not something to just pass over, Paul kind of meant it when he wrote it. We all were told when we were kids that if we did not have anything nice to say then to not say anything at all. I think this is kind of the same principle of this verse. (Ephesians 4:29) This makes perfect sense but yet we still do not do it. Why is it that even with my friends I do not uplift them and I know that what people hear me say must contradict what I stand for at times. Not only that but I do not go out and witness or even whenever the situation arises I have been insensitive to the Spirit and have just past up the opportunity to share the Gospel and then I will turn around and put down one of my friends. This is not right and is something I am trying to change and I ask that you please pray for me about this. Now I am just preaching at myself, which I do often, but this is just something that I struggle with and I am just sharing my heart. Good Day and God Bless
Matt Justice

The Hand of God and the Birth of Paul

After reading Polhill's chapter on Paul's citizenship I could not help but be amazed by the sovereignty of God. I knew that Paul was well educated under Gamaliel and that he was a Roman citizen, but I had no idea of how much he was influenced by other philosophers and Hellenization. To be raised in those circumstances and to be so well rounded and educated not only in Jewish Law and tradition but also in secular studies made Paul the ideal minister for the first century church. Who else could have been better equipped? God’s hand in the raising of Paul just screams out how awesome He is!! Without Paul’s background we would never of had the brilliant illustrations or the amazing scholarly arguments that we find in the epistles. I can’t help but get chill bumps when I think that the Sovereign God who placed Paul in Tarsus is the same God that is working in me. I doubt that I become as great as Paul, but it does give me assurance that God is bigger than I can imagine and I rejoice knowing He is in control!

Travis Adams