The General Epistles and the Antilegomena

After considering the epistles of Paul, with some of the introductory and theological issues they present, we come to hte so-called "general" epistles and Revelation.  Several of these books have been called "antilegomena" since at one point or another someone has spoken against their authenticity and/or canonicity.  Sometimes the issue is uncertainty regarding authorship (e.g. Hebrews) or supposed "stylistic" or theological differences with accepted books (e.g. I Peter and 2 Peter on style, James and Paul on theology).  A couple of the books were little letters with limited circulation and so were questioned as well (2 and 3rd John).  All in all, the church came to a clear consensus and recognized the canonicity of these books among the collection we know as the New Testament.  As you read and ponder the message of these books I encourage you to hear afresh the message the Divine Author has for you in each of them.
Dr. Nash

The Letters to the Thessalonians and the Pastoral Epistles

The arrangement of our New Testament has us looking today at what might be the first, and the last, of the letters of the apostle Paul.  The second missionary journey was a major step, as Paul and Silas crossed over to Macedonia and traveled down the Grecian peninsula preaching Jesus and planting churches. The persecution did not discourage them from their mission. The distances involved however, may have been the impetus for beginning a ministry of writing letters and sending messengers to the churches.  We see in the Thessalonian letters encouragement and teaching that is appropriate to a young church and to believers in every age.

We also know that Paul realized he could not maintain personal supervision over all the churches that would be established.  Beginning on the first journey, once churches were planted, elders were appointed in every church.  The pastoral epistles are gems of apostolic instruction, admonition and encouragement to churches and to those called to pastoral ministry. What characteristics are important for the pastors or elders of a church to have?  Read I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 and see how these lists look in comparison to the "job profile" or "position description" that many search committees or nominating committees have today.  Why do you think there is so much emphasis on the character and heart of leaders in these letters?
Dr. Nash

The Prison Epistles

Today we will have an overview of the so-called "Prison Epistles," Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  There is some discussion among scholars with respect to which imprisonment of Paul provides the context in which one of more of these letters were written. The traditional view is that they were written during Paul's first Roman imprisonment, reported at the end of the Book of Acts.  The main point is that in each of these letters Paul is clearly more concerned about the challenges being faced by the churches than he is about his own well being. Each of these letters is a gem that contributes to or deepens our understanding of some aspect of theology or the Christian life.  Which of these great highlights stood out for you as you read this? The depths of our great salvation spoken of in Ephesians 1 or 2? The humbling "kenosis" passage in Philippians 2? The mystery of the Godhead, incarnate in Christ, alluded to in Colossians 1? The Christian response to a social evil in Philemon? Share your impressions in the "comments" below!
Dr. Nash

The Corinthians and the gifts of the Spirit

One of the pervasive themes in Paul's letters is the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. He is not a "force" but rather is a person, the third person in the Trinity.  One writer said that the Spirit gives believers R.I.B.S., we are Reborn of the Spirit, Indwelt by the Spirit, Baptized in the Spirit, and Sealed by the Spirit.  Paul is interested in all of these ministries of the Spirit and more.  He also writes about the gifts of the Spirit to the church (I Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12, Ephesians 4). The unity of the church is fundamental, but we are each uniquely gifted to have a part in God's mission, including the edification of other believers. Pay attention to the "one another" statements in the letters and you will see how important our ministry to each other really is. But, importantly, it is Spirit empowered ministry. The permanent presence of the Spirit in the assembled church and in individual believers sets apart this age in the history of redemption.  As you continue reading Paul's letters, notice his references to the person and work of the Spirit - and thank God for his presence and power!
Dr. Nash

The Letters of Paul

The expansion of the church during the apostolic period was dynamic. The small group of disciples, centered in Jerusalem was scattered through persecution (Acts 8:1,4) but as a result the gospel reached Antioch in Syria and a church was planted there (see Acts 11). That church became the missionary church that sent out Paul and his coworkers on the missionary journeys that reached Asia minor and ultimately Europe in the second part of the book of Acts. Travel took time, and there were only so many apostles! Sending written letters allowed for follow up and outreach that went beyond the limited reach of the leaders of the early church. Romans was a letter that Paul wrote to a church that he still planned to visit in which he laid out a systematic explanation of the Gospel. The Corinthian letters were written to correct misunderstandings and deviations from Paul's teaching during his time in that city and from other, non-canonical [and non-extant!] correspondences he had with them (we referred to them in class as the "previous letter" and the "severe letter"). One of the greatest challenges we have in reading the NT letters is that we are looking from the outside in, without the full understanding of the context and issues that compelled them to be written. Reflecting on the context of these writings in the life and ministry of Paul can help lead us to a fuller understanding of what the writer meant, then and there, and can open our hearts to receive the truth God has for us here and now.
Dr. Nash

The Acts of the Apostles?

     The title the church has used to refer to the "Acts of the Apostles" is interesting, especially when we consider that of the 12 only Peter, and to a lesser extent John, are mentioned with any frequency by name in the first half of the book, Then they all but disappear in part 2 where Paul becomes the primary human character during the missionary journeys and his journey, as a prisoner, to Rome (though there is a little "reunion" at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15!). Dr. Luke really wants us to understand that Acts is presenting God's continuing story. Jesus is building his church, and has sent the Holy Spirit to empower his followers to carry out that mission. The abrupt ending of Acts is also an invitation to the reader to consider his own part in the continuing story.
       We can avoid a lot of confusion in interpreting and applying the book of Acts by remembering that it is describing a transitional period in the history of God's people. The charge Jesus gave to his disciples in Acts 1:8 is exactly what we see unfolding in the story. After the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost we see the witness bearing activity of the church moving outward towards the "ends of the earth." The early conversions in Jerusalem (Acts 2-3), the continued growth through tests from within and without (4-7), the persecution intensifies to the point that the believers are "scattered [like seed]" but God is still at work (8:1,4).  The shocking ministry to the Samaritans (8) followed by the unexpected conversion of a lone Ethiopian eunuch, the conversion of a young persecutor named Saul (9), the first gentile and his family believe (10), a cosmopolitan church is planted in Anitoch (11). James is martyred and Peter departs "to another place" (12), the missionary journeys, etc. (13 ff.). God is at work, and despite the circumstances and challenges nothing is going to stop what he is doing!
      As we seek to interpret and apply the book of Acts it is important to ask what was unique about the situation "then and there." What has changed by the time we get to the end of the story?  Was there something unique and foundational about the ministry of the apostles? What principles have continuing validity as God continues his mission today?  These and other questions will guide us in understanding God's Word to the church today, and hopefully, will lead us to a better understanding of our place in God's Story. What do you think?

Spiritual life week, a lesson on grace

This week, since we have no class for spiritual life week, is a great opportunity to get caught up on your reading of the New Testament for this class. As I mentioned in class I am using this as an opportunity to illustrate grace concerning one of our class assignments: the weekly on time reading of the assigned chapters in the New Testament, and the weekly reports you are writing answering the two questions from requirement #1 on the course syllabus.  If  you are behind and can get caught up by the time we meet next week, you can claim "on time" reading of the assignments to this point.  We are still a couple of weeks away from our midterm exam but you have also made great progress in reading our textbook, ENT (if you have been up to date on your reading you are half through the book!).  Remember, this blog is where you can post your questions (or observations/insights) over the weekly assignments in both the NT readings and ENT. Remember that ten "comments" will earn a perfect quiz grade score that can replace a low quiz grade. Don't miss out on this opportunity to help your grade and in the process encourage one another.  Let's learn together!
Dr. Nash