2 Timothy is the 16th book in the New Testament and is widely accepted to have been written by Paul around 67-68 AD; although there are some controversies regarding this (Smith, Jay). One controversy in particular states that Paul was dead before this document was written (Who wrote 2 Timothy?). I personally believe the author is in fact Paul because of the relationship described between Paul and Timothy. Paul was writing to Timothy from prison to give him final instructions and words of encouragement (Smith, Jay). You can tell the brotherly love that Paul have for Timothy because he mentions how he wishes Timothy would be with him. The letter of 2 Timothy is thought to have been Paul’s last letter. Paul probably wrote this letter after …show more content…
Paul had probably had these fears himself and that is why he was stressing to Timothy being strong and spreading the Gospel. Paul tells Timothy to teach was Paul has taught him. Paul was an appointed apostle and the word he taught was given to him by the Lord. Paul wanted to make sure it was not distorted by Timothy’s own opinions. It was Timothy’s responsibility to go out and to teach others how to teach. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 says “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-he wants to please his commanding officer.” Paul is using the comparison of the soldier because they expect hardships and do not run from it when it comes upon them. They train for the days when hardship comes and they persevere. Paul commands Timothy to be “a good soldier of Christ Jesus”; not just any soldier but a soldier with the attitudes that would be pleasing to God. “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs” here Paul is telling Timothy in order to be a faithful servant of the Lord he must leave behind all the ways of the Lord. In previous books Paul says in order to focus fully on the Lord you should not marry; Paul could be implying the same thing …show more content…
This book is full of useful doctrine applicable to our lives today. Paul wrote to give Timothy courage, strength, wisdom, and endurance. These very same things can be offered to us today. Reading this book I take from it a mind-set to lead. This book is great for young leaders. It offers encouragement to those who are nervous about spreading the gospel and reminds them not to be ashamed for the Lord is with
N.T. Wright: During my first semester at Northwestern College, I was assigned the book, “The Challenge of Jesus” by N.T. Wright for one of my Biblical Studies courses. This book and every other book Tom Wright has written has dramatically impacted my Christian faith. Dr. Wright has not only defended the basic tenants of the Christian faith, but also has shown how an academically-minded pastor ought to love and care for his or her congregants. N.T. Wright was previously the Bishop of Durham and pastored some of the poorest in the United Kingdom. His pastoral ministry has helped shape his understanding of God’s kingdom-vision which he is diagramming within his magnum opus “Christian Origins and the Question of God”. This series has instructed myself and countless other pastors to be for God’s kingdom as we eagerly await Christ’s return. Additionally, I have had the privilege of meeting with N.T. Wright one-on-one on numerous occasions to discuss faith, the Church, and his research. I firmly believe Tom Wright is the greatest New Testament scholar of our generation and he is the primary reason why I feel called into ministry.
For the most part, Paul at least outwardly appears to have adopted the war mindset. His actions are very much those of the typical soldier. For example, Paul, like all the other soldiers, will do anything he can for food. He is well accustomed to relieving himself out of doors: "Here in the open air though, the business is entirely a pleasure. I no longer understand why we should always have shied at these things before. They are, in fact, just as natural as eating and drinking" (8). Most of all, he values his survival above social customs: "We have lost all sense of other considerations, because they are artificial. Only the facts are real and important for us. And good boots are scarce" (21). For Paul, as for most soldiers, the rules of normal, polite society simply do not apply at the front. In the time between Paul's volunteering for the war and the beginning of the book, he has changed. For all the physical evidence, he is a common foot soldier.
Soldiers in WWI had only each other to depend on for any chance of survival. Paul reveals this time and again by protecting and trusting those around him. Paul says once “we had to recognize that our generation was more to be trusted that theirs. They surpass us only in phrases and in cleverness” (Remarque 12-13). He is referring to the older generations who are not fighting on the front with Paul and his comrades, and still describe the war as glorious. Paul understands that camaraderie is based on common experience, something only the front line soldiers live through and thus understand. Because these common experiences exist, Paul also shows compassion to especially the younger, new recruits. While in the trenches, a young recruit “lay in utter terror. He had buried his face in his hands. He looked up, pushing the helmet off and like a child crept under [Paul’s] arm…the little shoulders heaved. Shoulders like Kemmerich’s” (Remarque 61). Paul’s compassion for the young soli...
The Gospel of John, the last of the four gospels in the Bible, is a radical departure from the simple style of the synoptic gospels. It is the only one that does not use parables as a way of showing how Jesus taught, and is the only account of several events, including the raising of Lazarus and Jesus turning water into wine. While essentially the gospel is written anonymously, many scholars believe that it was written by the apostle John sometime between the years 85 and 95 CE in Ephesus. The basic story is that of a testimonial of one of the Apostles and his version of Jesus' ministry. It begins by telling of the divine origins of the birth of Jesus, then goes on to prove that He is the Son of God because of the miracles he performs and finally describes Jesus' death and resurrection.
“The author Victor Rhee of “Hebrews as a Leader of the Faith Community” enlightens the path way on the subject of leaders in the body of Christ. The title alone brings a certain kind of curiosity to what makes a leader according to the book of Hebrews. If leadership training could have a manual it should be parallel to Hebrews. Leadership today is missing the courage to stand for something that is right according to the word of God. No matter what is taking place in our society beliefs and value system. Leadership has suffered greatly both inside and outside the church, especially in Christian leadership. One of the main points that the author of this article points out is the society woes are the same as ours today. How fitting is this when we need direction for Christian ministry. There is a soul searching event that is taking place for leaders to rise up and be all of what God intended for them in caring the gospel of Christ to the world. Rhee, who wrote the journal points to the characteristics of the author of Hebrews as a leader who will arise for the cause of Christ by illuminating the importance of courage, faith, love, hope , to fight against apostates, and believe in leadership unity when leading as a leader of the Christian faith.
Scholars of the Pauline writings have divided them into the following categories: (1) those unquestionably by Paul: Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, I Thessalonians, and Philemon; (2) a letter that was probably written by Paul, but has had serious questions raised about its' authorship: II Thessalonians; (3) letters that were not actually written by Paul but were developed from his thought: Colossians and Ephesians; (4) letters that bear Paul's name but clearly come from another time and different set of circumstances in the church: I and II Timothy and Titus (the so-called Pastoral Letters); (5) a letter not bearing Paul's name and which evidences a wholly different thought and religious vocabulary from that of Paul: the Letter to the Hebrews (Kee, 5th Ed. 224).
In a later chapter, Paul explains why he reacted so quickly. War has turned all the soldiers into "unthinking animals in order to give us the weapon of instinct." This primal instinct is one of survival; it is the only thing that matters during war. It allows the soldiers to remain calm in battle, it allows them to escape solitude, and aids them in survival. "As in a polar expedition, every expression of life must serve only the preservation of existence, and is absolutely focused on that;" Paul and the other soldiers do only what is necessary to ensure their own survival.
...ssion. Paul became overwhelmed by being home. The only thing that everyone wanted to talk about was war. No one understood that because Paul dealt with it every single day he did not want to talk about it. His mother was among the people who asked him about war. “Was it very bad out there Paul?” (Pg. 161) Paul simply had no words to even begin to describe his experiences. He lied and told his mother that it was not very bad. While Paul was home he learned that his mother had became ill and that the civilian population was beginning to starve. One day while walking in the streets Paul came across an older gentlemen who happened to be a major. Paul did not recognize him therefore he did not salute. The older gentlemen became outraged by this and forced him to do a march in the street and salute smartly. From this point on he wore civilian clothes when being in public.
The Epistle to the Romans, often shortened to Romans, is the sixth book in the New Testament. Biblical scholars agree that it was composed by the Apostle Paul to explain that salvation is offered through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the longest of the Pauline epistles and is considered his "most important theological legacy. The Apostle Paul wrote it roughly about A.D. 57. The key personalities in the book of Romans are the Apostle Paul, and Phoebe who delivered this letter. Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Rome, hence the name “Romans”. He wrote it to give them a concrete theological foundation on which to construct their faith and to live for and serve God effectively” a servant of Christ Jesus called to be an apostle and set
Although written for church leadership, everyday church members would also benefit from understanding the concepts that Dawn is directing at God-empowered leaders. Ms. Dawn's work is predominantly scholarly, and she cites several other works at great length.... ... middle of paper ... ...
Bryant and Brunson have done a terrific job of assessing the pastoral ministry and giving sound advice, to the young or prospective pastor. The present author believes that this book should be standard in every pastor’s library. “God promises to be with his servants as they follow” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 16) The apostle Paul gave three rules to keep the pastor on the track of a good reward: “Fight the Good Fight; Finish the Race; and Keep the Faith.” (Bryant and Brunson 2007, 240-242) The greatest joy for a pastor is to, “Finish well.”
The books of I and II Thessalonians, which are in the New Testament, are both letters to a church that Paul the apostle helped establish in the city of Thessalonica. First Thessalonians is agreed by biblical scholars to be written by Paul. The author of II Thessalonians, however, is still being debated about.
People who have actually been through war know how horrible it is. Society on the other hand, while it believes it knows the horrors of war, can never understand or sympathize with a soldier’s situation. The only people who can understand war is those who have been through it so they can often feel alone if they are out of the military. Paul cannot even give a straight answer to his own father about his dad’s inquiries about war. Paul’s dad does not understand that people who have been in the war can in no way truly express the horrible things that that have seen and experienced. Nor can Paul fit in with the society who does not understand him. Paul and so many others were brought into the war so young that they know of nothing else other than war. Paul held these views on society as he said, “We will be superfluous even to ourselves, we will grow older, a few will adapt themselves, some others will merely submit, and most will be bewildered;-the years will pass by and in the end we shall fall in to ruin.
Overall, this book helped me become more aware of my weaknesses with my preaching style and also gave me tools to strengthen them. The examples are very basic and practical and helped highlight key skills and situations that a preacher can experience when doing a sermon. This book added more knowledge to me and gave me new insights that I can use as a tool when I go back with my ministry as a youth worker.
...mazing, but sets an example of how believers today can use relevant and modern examples and stories to share the Gospel and continue growing the body of Christ.