Changing Views of Paul: From Conversion to Call

1. Changing Views of Paul:From Conversion to Call

2. I. Paul the Convert

3. Augustine of Hippo 354-430

4. Romans 13:13-14 • let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

5. Martin Luther1483-1546

6. Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”

7. Justification by Faith We know that a person is justified not by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ…because no one will be justified by the works of the law. (Gal 2:16)

8. Paul’s negative comments about the law All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the things written in the book of the law.” (Gal 3:10) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. (Gal 3:13) For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. (Rom 4:14-15) Christ is the end of the law. (Rom 10:4)

9. II. Paul the Jew

10. Paul’s positive statements about the law It is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified (Rom 2:13) The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good. (Rom 7:12) Is the law then opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! (Gal 3:21) What advantage has the Jew? What is the value of circumcision? Much in every way! (Rom 3:1)

11. KristerStendahl “called, not converted”

12. Galatians 1:11-17 For you heard of my earlier life in Judaism… how I progressed in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, because I was especially eager for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who chose me while in my mother’s womb and called me through his grace, thought it right to reveal his Son in me, so that I might proclaim him among the nations,….

13. Philippians 3:2-9 …circumcised on the eighth day, by virtue of belonging to the people of Israel, from the Tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews, with regard to Torah --a Pharisee, with regard to zeal-- a persecutor of the church, in terms of righteousness attained by (the practice of) Torah--I was blameless. But Whatever gains had accrued to me, these I now count as a loss because of Christ. …

14. Three Myths of Ancient Judaism Debunked • Judaism not legalistic • Judaism not excessively exclusive or nationalistic • Jewish theology did not conceive God as judgmental and merciless

15. The Flexible Pharisees R. Yosi b. Yoezer of Zereda testified that the Ayil-locust is clean,and that the liquid that flows in the shambles [in the Temple] is not susceptible to uncleanness; and That he that touches a corpse becomes unclean. And they called him “Yosi the Permitter.” --Mishnah, Edduyot 8.4

16. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing; but the commandments of God are everything. 1 Corinthians 7:19

17. Jesus and Justification NRSV: I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. PME: I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died as a gift. Galatians 2:21