Master's Degree Lecture 1 Studying Paul

Poetry Preach & Prose

This audio lecture delves into the complex and enduring significance of the Apostle Paul within early Christianity. It highlights Paul's controversial nature from the outset, as acknowledged even in the New Testament itself. The lecture emphasizes the early recognition of Paul's writings as scripture, alongside the acknowledgment of their challenging content and the subsequent heresies that arose from their interpretation. Furthermore, it underscores Paul's crucial chronological priority as the first New Testament author, his sociological impact as the apostle to the Gentiles, and his theological contribution in centering the Christian message on the cross. The discussion then shifts to the task of biblical exegesis, particularly in relation to Paul's letters, outlining the goals of reconstructing the original setting and discerning the author's intention, while also addressing inherent obstacles such as the lack of independent confirmation and the occasional nature of his writings. Finally, the lecture touches upon critical scholarly debates surrounding the relationship between Paul's letters and the Book of Acts, and identifies various sources that influenced Paul's thought and writing, including the Old Testament, Jesus' teachings, early Christian traditions, and Hellenistic rhetorical conventions.