羅馬書1:1-18作為全書的解釋鑰匙

羅馬書1:1-18作為全書的解釋鑰匙 (Romans 1:1-18 as an interpreting key to the whole book)

羅1:16-17多年來皆被視為全書主題; 但如果加上1:18; 可以發現這節原本是與1:17成為一個對比; 是不可分的一部份. 而且全書皆有一個平衡的對比.

The purposes for Paul writing the Epistle to the Romans are many. The main concern is on his mission to Spain. He hopes to prevent adverse opponents from influencing the Roman Christians and helps them to unify the Christians groups in Romans. The structure of Romans is related to chapter 1. Its theological linkage is based on the importance of Jewish tradition, the Righteousness of God and His wrath. I propose that Paul may have used a "transfer" model to describe the two epochs. This model has unified the whole picture of Romans. The Jews who are using the method of the old epoch are still under the wrath of God. If they join the Gentile Christians who enjoy the new way in the new epoch, then they will have fellowship with each other. The evangelism toward the Jews outside the Roman Christian community is a must which is resolved in Romans 14-15.

More:

Outline of the thesis: http://philipyim.0catch.com/Pastor/NT/Thesis-outline1.htm

Full-Text: http://philipyim.0catch.com/Pastor/NT/Roman1_asKey2.htm

Classification: Biblestudy, Romans, Epistle, Pauline Studies.

Paul's Jewishness and his distinctiveness

Paul's Jewishness and his distinctiveness

We have surveyed the cultural interactions in the Jewish history. In Paul's times, the Jews were living in a multi-cultural setting. Their Jewish identities were ambivalent. They mingled Hellenistic and Jewish cultures and customs in their daily life. Local distinctiveness was also evidenced. The differences between Hellenistic and Palestinian Judaism were actually a local distinctiveness, rather than innate contrast between Judaism and Hellenism. The people in Jerusalem tended to be nationalistic, isolationistic, and Temple-centred. The Galileans were more Hellenized in the lower Galilee, while the upper and central Galilee embraced Hebrew culture. The Galileans strived for independence from the Romans, but the leaders in Jerusalem tended to remain status quo. The diversity of sects in Palestine reminded us the broad spectrum of positions on Torah. The Christians might also have great diversity among them. Paul, as an individual, had his own interpretation on the traditions received. He had changed from a Law-centred understanding into a Christo-centred interpretation. He also abandoned the limitations posed by the Law on the Gentile. This revolutionary interpretation enraged the pious Pharisaic Christians who thought he was heretic. They opposed him and made some compromise under the help of "the three apostles." It was not successful and ended in long time struggle between their positions and that of Paul, even down to the time of Irenaeus.

More: http://philipyim.0catch.com/biblestudy/NT/Paul_Judaism2a6.htm

Classification: Biblical Research, Biblestudy, Pauline Studies, Historical approach, Historical reconstruction