What did Paul mean when he declared that there is 'neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor male and female' (Galatians 3:28)? While many modern readers understand these words as a statement about human equality, some modern interpretations in fact believe it reflects ancient ideas about an ideal or utopian community.
With this declaration, Paul contributed to the cultural conversation of his time about such a community. What Paul brings together in this conversation is the conception in which: what would an ideal world look like?! Much of his thought process was influenced by cosmopolitanism; the philosophical idea prevalent at the time, that all people were fundamentally connected and could all live in a unified society. Like
…show more content…
It is not one or the other, it is both. It is about something lifegiving.
As we heard back on MLK Sunday from local NAACP president Jason Soul, much of Martin Luther King Jr’s concerns were and still are at the forefront. Yes, there appear to have been strides made, but then again, we thought we had it figured out when Obama was elected president. Sadly, racism continues to rear its ugly head. It is part of white identity, part of our DNA.
I’m currently reading The Cross and the Lynching Tree by black theologian, James Cone. As he points out, “You don’t have to know the American culture, to understand the lynching tree – white Americas original sin. You can see the swastika and know its meaning. Similarly, you can travel all over the world and the cross will have a specific meaning. Here in America it has one meaning. Here in America it is the lynching tree”.
He writes of a meeting between twentieth century theologian Rhinehold Niebuhr and black author James Baldwin. It was following the bombing of the sixteenth street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama that killed four little black girls back in 1963. They gathered shortly after the incident to discuss this tragedy during the Protestant Council Radio hour in New
The Letter from Birmingham Jail was written in 1963 by Martin Luther King, Jr. During this period, the African Americans were involved in a battle for white and black equality. This is evident from the vocabulary used by King including “Negro” which was common during that period but not used commonly afterwards. Moreover, the letter’s context tells it argues that King wanted was African Americans to have freedom. The letter’s purpose is that King wants to persuade the clergymen what he together with his people were demonstrating since it was extremely necessary during that period. In achieving this, King utilizes persuasive and condemnatory tones so that the reader can consent with him. King Luther King, the author of Letter from Birmingham Jail, presents a valid argument through the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in the entire piece with the intention of explaining his actions and changing the audience’s opinions.
Martin Luther King Jr’s Dream has said to have been fulfilled. However, others claim that the dream has only been taken at face value, thus, misunderstood. In John McWhorter’s article, “Black People Should Stop Expecting White America to ‘Wake Up’ to Racism,” he refers to past and recent events to establish the difference between society’s fantasy and the misinterpreted Dream of Dr. King.
's Letter From Birmingham, and Cornel West 's Nihilism and Black America, how they relate between each other, and what, above all else, can be learned by comparing the two. Considering the time difference between both texts, it 's not surprising to see what resulted from the overall war of segregation between Caucasian and African American people in the United States of America. While Martin Luther King Jr. and Cornel West were fighting on the same side of the 'war ', the African American side, you can see some similarities and differences within the texts that are up for
James Baldwin is one of the premier essayists of his time. He draws on his experiences in a straightforward, unapologetic manner, which helps achieve his purpose in The Fire Next Time. His style elucidates his arguments for racial harmony and for the understanding of other religions.
“In 1963, Attorney General Robert Kennedy invited Baldwin and other prominent blacks to discuss the nation's racial situation” (Magill 103). The meeting only reminded Baldwin on how far the nation still had to come (Magill 103). Baldwin continued to write. “During the last 10 years of his life, he produced a number of important works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry” (PBS 4). For awhile he taught and lectured, but soon it became more and more difficult for him to write (Magill 103). The years of drinking, smoking and traveling finally took their toll (Magill 103). “In 1987, James developed stomach cancer, and it took his life at the age of 63 on December 1, in his home in France” (PBS 4). Being a successful black man in the 1900s shows how smart and gifted James Baldwin
The historical cultural situation of the writer and his audience is that in this time Paul is preaching to Ephesus, and that the audience are mostly gentiles. Pauls original name was Saul, and he was an apostle who spoke the Gospel of God, to the 1st century audience/world. The author is much undeinfed, but most have found that it can be paul, and little say it was a follower of paul. His background was personally chosen by God. Gods best messeng...
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galations 3:28
When Baldwin was three years of age his mother married David Baldwin, a Southerner who had made the journey to New York as part of the large stream of black migration north during the times following the First World War. James, t...
The objection to his theories arises in the case of Southern lynchers within the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is contended that these people, in their attempts to suppress African-American civilians, engaged in terrible activities due to their inability to observe and recognize their actions as morally reprehensible.
When reading historical letters and or other types of reading materials, one cannot bear to become intrigued when reading these didactic and informative pieces of art. For example, one of the most known and most important pieces of historical masterpieces’ would have to be Martin Luther King’s “ Letter From Birmingham Jail.” This letter was written in response to the published statement that was written by eight fellow clergymen from Alabama. Those eight fellow Alabama clergymen were Bishop C.C.J. Carpenter, Bishop Joseph A. Durick, Rabbi Hilton L. Grafman, Bishop Paul Hardin, Bishop Holan B. Harmon, the Reverend George M. Murray, the Reverend Edward V. Ramage, and the Reverend Earl Stallings.
“...this religion is saying that every person, man, woman, child, slave, barbarian, no matter who, is made in the image of God and is therefore of enormous value in the eyes of God…”(Document C). “Now the Christian community, as we have it particularly in the letters of Paul, … says in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male or female, neither slave nor free… . Here is a community that invites you, which makes you an equal with all other members of that community,” (Document D). This was beneficial to a wide range of people, especially peasants because they could have a part in society and be equal to their Christian peers.
Throughout the first part of this semester, our class has discussed slave religion a few times. Different claims from certain people and the class discussions have opened up a deeper understanding of slave religion for me. From African-American slaves to the black race now, I believe that black people have come a long way in recognizing their identity. African-American theologians and religious historians like James Cone and Gayraud Wilmore and scholars like Albert Raboteau have located within slave religion of the importance in maintaining culture for African-Americans. Cone and Wilmore proposed ideas of Black Theology. I believe that their theories show how African-Americans can gain their own identity through their own practices of religion and culture. I believe that the greatest struggle of African-Americans in a racist society is the struggle to regain collective identity and culture. However, they show how it is very possible to rise above racial discrimination, and stereotypes. Although Albert Raboteau was not necessarily a theologian, his claims of slaves finding their own way of life despite being dehumanized, easily relate to the ideas of Cone and Wilmore. The arguments and ideas that Cone, Wilmore, and Raboteau put forward make me wonder about what it means to be black in America. I believe that the battle for culture and identity is at stake for African-Americans; from past to present. However, I will show how the ideas and claims of James Cone, Gayraud Wilmore, and Albert Raboteau make way for the African-American race.
Paul was faced with a difficult ethical dilemma. If Paul embraced the Christian worldview he would have guidance through his decision. He could turn to God and pray seeking out the answer through the Bible. God would be there with him hand in hand as he made this decision. Following his teachings and ultimately being rewarded for the moral choice. When it comes down to an ethical decision, ethics is an individual’s morals, their sense of what is right and what is wrong (Hiles & Smith,
Paul summarizes all this preaching in seventeen stanzas by referring to the "Spirit" and the "Flesh." We are first introduced by Paul of these topics/words in his letter to the Galatians. Paul contrasts the two ways of living in a community in chapter five of Galatians. "Spirit" is the caring of others and builds interpersonal relationships within a community. The "Flesh" is a self centeredness and a natural way to live of only caring for oneself. The "works of the flesh" will break apart a community.
“Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” Titus 1:1-2 (NKJV)