Session 8: New Testament

Session 8: Introduction to Paul's Epistles

Aims

By the end of this session you should be able to:

give an account of the new theology of Paul
state approximately which epistles are ascribed to Paul and when they may have been written
give an account of the main themes of the epistles and how they relate to your faith journey and ministry as well as that of the church as a whole
reflect on how the message of Paul's epistles can help us to live out the Diocesan vision values of generous faith, courageous hope and lifegiving love.

Prayer

Loving Creator, your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Fill me with your Spirit and your love as I seek you, and as I seek to develop my faith in you, during this session. Show me new things and be with me as I am challenged. Fill me with a desire to take your love out into the world.

Amen

Introduction

This session introduces us to the writings of St Paul, which take up about a quarter of the New Testament. We will look at Paul's theology, when the letters might have been written, and some interesting things within them that we might never have noticed.

It is structured in the same way as the previous sessions.

Part One

Watch the video then think about the questions below.

Which books do you think Paul wrote? Make a note of them.
Now download the list in the Resources section. How close were you? Which is your favourite Pauline epistle and why?
What do you think about Gooder's idea of 'the overlap', and what effect does it have on your thinking about life now?

Make a note of your thoughts in your Learning Journal.

Part 2 - Considering Acts

Watch the vide opposite. To access it, click on the picture then click 'Sign In' next to the green box that says 'Subscribe to Watch This Video'. Input these details:

Email Address: dos@gmail.com

Password: Videos1!

This should enable you to watch the video. You can find the transcript here

Questions for Reflection

Select and consider one question only from those below and note your thoughts in your journal for dicussion in your Learning Support group.

0.00 - 4.43 Paul and Hellenism

What do you think about Wright's ideas of how Paul preached the gospel into the Hellenistic world? What do you think we can learn from that in taking the good news into our modern day society?

4.44 - 15.13 Paul and Rome

Wright says that Paul 'subverts' what is happening in the Roman Empire ('subvert' means to overturn or destroy something particularly a political system) . How do you think he does this and in what ways might we also be called to 'subvert' the things in our society which are contrary to God's message?

15.14 - end. Three Big Themes

Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and of God's promise to the Jews, now shared with the Gentiles (the rest of the world). The Spirit helps us to live out the life God wants us to, continually revealing God's love and purpose in the world. Paul was only one person who did this in his time but his legacy has lasted for centuries. Who else can you think of, who you feel has done this, and whose legacy lives on today? What can we do in our own way to touch the lives of others with the love and life of God?

There are some other videos in the Resources section below that you may wish to watch and quite a lot more of Tom Wright on Paul on Youtube, just do a search for Tom Wright and you will find lots of things to explore at a later date if you wish to.

Part 3 - Going Deeper

Take the quiz here (this is required).

You must now do one or the other of the tasks below and then note your thoughts in your learning journal for discussion in your Learning Support Group and to inform the Reflect section below.

Either watch the 50 minute video opposite
Or read Chapters 2, 3 and 8 of 'Exploring the New Testament Volume 2' on the Hub - instructions for how to access this can be found here

If you would like to,watch the extra videos in the Resources section below - but this is completely optional.

Spotlight on Doctrine

The doctrine of the Trinity is a complex one which has taxed the minds of some of Christianity's brightest and wisest minds for centuries! The word Trinity does not exist in the bible and it was not developed until the 3rd Century CE. The idea of the Trinity came out of the kind of theology that we find in Paul's epistles. At the end of the day, the concept of Trinity is actually one of the great mysteries of God - we can't really every fully comprehend it, and it is a term used to try to put words to an experience of God. Where can you see the idea of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, or as some prefer to refer to it, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, in Paul's letters. What does it mean for you?

Spotlight on Spirituality

One of the classics of Christian Spiritual writings is called 'The Cloud of Unknowing'. The author of this great work remains, perhaps fittingly!, unknown. This great work posits the idea that God cannot be grasped by our minds, but only by love: “God is forever beyond the reach of the first of these, the intellectual faculty; but by means of the second, the loving faculty, [God] can be fully grasped by each individual being.” If we could fully understand God then that would make us greater than God, argues the 14th century mystic.

This is a helpful idea when thinking about the notion of the Trinity and what Paul was trying to convey of his experience of God, putting words to the indescribable. A lovely line in a Celtic Communion Liturgy, sums this up well when it says "...nor can our small words catch the magnificence of your kindness; yet, in the space of our hearts, and in the silence, you can come close and repair us".

Reflect

What has struck you most from Part 3 of this session?
How has your learning challenged you to grow in your faith and ministry?
How might it help you, in your life and ministry, to live out, and encourage others to live out, the Diocesan Vision values of generous faith, courageous hope and lifegiving love?

In no more than 300 words, post your thoughts on the Forum

Pray

Gracious God,

in your mercy, and for your glory, renew us, reshape us,

and revive us with generous faith,

courageous hope, and life-giving love

that, in transformed lives,

through growing church and building community,

we may see your Kingdom come

and be good news for all.

Amen.

Something Practical To Do

Where can you find the idea of the Trinity expressed in your church? Which parts of the words and actions of the service? Which hymns? Any stained glass windows or images? On your notice sheets or notice boards?

How do you think we express the Trinity in our lives of faith? What difference might it make to those around us and to the world and its problems right now?

If you like, share some of what you have found on the discussion board in the Forum