Paul wrote this letter in response to some who were promoting a different gospel (1:6) than the one he presented at a previous visit to this area.
Are there other "gospels" being promoted in our culture today?
How can they be recognized?
What distinguishes the gospel of Christ from these other gospels?
Before I begin to discuss the other “gospels” being promoted in “our” culture, I would like to discuss the cultural tension that scripted and introduced the different gospel to the Galatians, in order to form a parallel to today.
According to anthropologist Dr. Kraft, the early believers were Jewish, who believed that the cultural context in which they received the Gospel was to be normative for all others. Meaning that if one was to come to Jesus, he or she must also convert to Jewish culture and customs as reflected not only in the book of Galatians, with respect to circumcision, but also in Acts. An example in Acts 15.1 reads:
1Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."
If the culture problem appears to be of lesser importance than the concept of works versus faith, a closer look into history might be interesting.
In my anthropology class in APU we discussed a bit of the history through Dr. Kraft’s notes. He says, the Protestant Reformation was the discovery that God could love people who spoke German and worshipped ways in German ways. This community did not convert to Roman Language and customs. Kraft describes the use of the English Language and custom as “part of the Anglican break with Rome” (Kraft 2) Furthermore when Wesley the theologian, stepped away from Anglicanism, it was gr...
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...hes the gospel of Christ from these other gospels is its ability to include more people rather than exclude. Its message should transcend to various cultures. If it doesn’t fit we should ask ourselves the right questions. Are we preaching the gospel of who God is or our culture? Christian anthropologist and missionary, Dr. Kraft says it is important for one sharing the gospel to ask oneself the question “ What does reality look like from the point of view to whom we go?”. The goal is of course to enhance and not distort the objective reality of who God is. Paul was a messenger of God and in Galatians he understood that the objective reality of God did not require to impose burdens of culture to another group.
I could go on about this topic in detail, but alas, I should stop somewhere. It was really interesting to take the time and sort through this. Great prompt.
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).
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...
In David deSilva book, Honor, Patronage, Kinship, and Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture deSilva states that context is extremely important as well as understanding the culture, without these elements one cannot properly understand the interpretation of Scripture. David deSilva gives an enlightening contextual study of first century Mediterranean culture. deSilva believes that all culture delivers the framework for all communication, and the New Testament writings is no different in how the culture provides the framework for communication.
Stanton, Graham. Gospel Truth?: New Light on Jesus and the Gospels. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995. Paperback.
14 Jonathan T. Pennington. Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew. (Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, 2009), 214.15 Dale C. Allison, Jr. Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005), 101.16 Frank J. Matera. Passion Narratives and Gospel Theologies: Interpreting the Synoptics Through Their Passion Stories. (New York: Paulist Press, 1986), 115.17 Dale C. Allison, Jr. Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005), 229.
The Christian Worldview consists of the Creator, His Creation and His son. The story began thousands of years ago and is still relevant today. This paper will give you a glimpse of the three main characters, how they relate to each other, and why I believe this is the only worldview that provides truth and hope for my life.
“We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. Being fully God and perfect man He performed miracles and lived a sinless life.” (GCU, Doctorial Statement) This paper will discuss how God and Jesus Christ is the essential core of all Christian worldviews despite the many differing internal worldviews they have.
The book of Luke, found after the books Matthew and Mark, focuses on the ministry of Jesus Christ but it also gives us a look into His birth and growth in totality. In this chapter we see a historical account of some of the journeys that Christ experienced. It is important to keep in mind that the Bible and all of its books do serve as historical accounts but each book is unique in the fact that they incorporate a theological timeline. The Bible is, conceivably, the most important book that has ever been written. It gives the world eyewitness accounts to historical events that helped not only shaped a region of the world but the whole entire world. It is nearly impossible to go through some formal societal education and have never once read a part of the bible or have heard a story that adapts from the stories within the bible. The bible has helped formed institutions, associations and so much more. By reading the Gospel of Luke we are truly reading what is meant for us to read as Christians. The principal plot in the book of Luke is the life of Jesus Christ, his sacrifice, His ability to beat death and remain perfect as the son of GOD despite being human as well. Jesus is seen as the perfect savior for humans in the book of Luke. Luke not only gives multiple examples of the power of Jesus but also it gives us a look at The Lord’s triumph over temptation. Luke also depicts Jesus as a man/GOD who had a very deep concentration on people and relationships. The book of Luke gives Jesus a loving characteristic but doesn’t shy away from showing that at times Jesus got angry too. Jesus showed a great deal of compassion to the sick, those in pain, the poor, and unambiguously the sinful. Jesus had genuine love for everyone. Throughout this...
The word gospel occurs 101 times in 95 verses, in the King James Version of the Bible and even though the word gospel originally existed before Jesus and His followers used it; howbeit, they supposedly empowered it with unequaled authority. Perpetually, from Jesus preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, (Matt 4:23), to the Apostle Paul’s establishing the mystery of the gospel; which was kept secret since the world began,” (Rom 16:25), the text overflows with enigmas. This analogy emerges as being prophesied by God’s prophets in the Old Testament (Rom 1:2). Calculatingly, scripture states that “the truth of this gospel occurs hid to them that are lost,” (2 Cor 4:3). Noticeably, there are implication that among this secret mystery, exists various talks concerning “not being ashamed” of something involving this gospel, (Mark 8:38; Rom 1:16, 10:11; 2 Tim 1:8) and although there may be shame, it tells us to boldly talk regarding “this mystery” (Eph
Jesus Christ lived a very full, if short, life. He did and accomplished more in his thirty years than many men do in twice that. The gospels each tell their versions of his life. Of the four, I found the gospel of Mark to be the most interesting. I enjoy the style of writing in this gospel more than the others. I feel it gives a better summary of the events in Christ’s life. Whereas the other gospels tend to get bogged down with parables or spend too much time on specific events, the gospel of Mark moves along at a good pace and adequately gets the message across.
The word 'gospel' means good news. There are four gospel accounts in the New Testament:
Jesus and Paul are two crucial characters in the New Testament. They both depict the Gospel on which Christianity is based upon, but there is debate about rather these two versions of the Gospel are complementary. Scholars like George Shaw claim that Paul is “anti-Christian,” and he “produced a fantastic theology” (Shaw 415-416). On the other hand, I believe that even though Jesus and Paul may present the Gospel different at times, they are still advocating the same religion. Through the understanding of the Gospels and Paul’s letters it is clear that Jesus and Paul have the same underlining goals and values.
...all the way through it and was able to connect so many things. Paul lays out the entire Gospel so well, and you can easily lead sometime Christ by using this book. I liked how Paul explained how everyone is a sinner because in the past I never really understand the break up between the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul was able to show that no matter who you are, you are still a sinner and in desperate need of Christ. Also, I understood chapter fourteen a lot better, and I realized that I if I’m causing my people around me to sin, I am also at fault. It is a lot to take on watching out for you, but we have to stop being so selfish and thing about how are actions can affect those around us. Reading through this book has given me a lot of new insight to think on, and I really enjoyed digging deeper into understanding this easier to hear, but harder to follow commands of God.
Paul believes he is preaching the gospel truth of Jesus’ return. He believes he is speaking, from Christ, the guidelines for redemption. But nothing more than beliefs are Paul’s words. Throughout his letters he incessantly contradicts himself and the Old Testament. He disapproves boasting about wisdom and knowledge, while hypocritically boasting about his supposed gospel. He slanders the Jewish faith by condemning the act of circumcision. And lastly, he degrades women by defying them of their individual and bodily feelings. He limits them to the control of man, either a husband or Jesus. Paul’s letters of Jesus are not holy, and they do speak on behalf of the holy. Amen.
During early missionaries journeys the Gospel of Christ was shared first with the Jews. These early workers went into the local “synagogue and reading the Law and the Prophets” (Acts 13:15) teaching that, Jesus Christ has fulfilled the scriptures of the Messiah. Today the Law and Prophets are known as the Old Testament. The early church used these scriptures to verify the accuracy of what Peter, Paul and the rest of early church were preaching. The Jews in Berea received the word from Paul and examined the scripture daily to confirm the truth (Acts 17:10-12). These early followers of Christ set the example that today’s believers need to follow.