Unveiling Paul's Teachings on Marriage and Immorality in the Pastoral Epistles - Essay Sample

Introduction

Week five mainly focused on the Pastoral Epistles. The Pastoral Epistles were a section of the epistles that include part of the larger epistles but exceptional because they addressed individuals in the church, specifically those with the pastoral title namely Timothy and Titus. Martin (2012) looks at some of the key details that are highlighted in the Pastoral Epistles. One of the key topics discussed in these letters includes marriage and immorality. According to Paul, he that is called to walk in the pastoral line should not marry as he preferred that all Christians remain celibate. This would help them devote more time to God and His service. In the beginning, the church was viewed as a town assembly. However, in his letter, Paul sends a pro-family anti-ascetic message. In his message, he indicates that men should hold offices and women had no authority over them. This was very different from how the church is currently viewed.

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Paul and Authorship

The main purpose of these letters was instructing pastors on how to offer leadership to the church as well as appointing other men as pastors. At the same time, his message and the main theme behind these letters was that of "the household of God" which was higher than that of men. As such, he encouraged and advocated for purity and abstinence from sexual immorality within the church and its leadership. It is also important to note that his letters came at a time when Greek and Roman cultures advocated for sexual desires that would soon find themselves in the church. This might also be a reason behind Paul's emphasis on the need for purity within the church. Therefore, in the Pastoral Epistles, Paul gives instructions on the organization of the church and its management and therefore, appealing to its leadership.

Reading the New Testament

Week six dwells on the book of Acts. Perkins (1988) provides one of the most insightful coverages of the Book of Acts and its composition. This book looks at a different perspective in terms of the events that followed after Jesus died and rose from the dead. The book suggests that Jesus appeared to his disciples and taught them during the forty days, just before he ascended to heaven. This was an integral section of the early church as Jesus made Himself present before His disciples to send them into the world to spread the good news. This would also form part of the disciples' preaching. Besides, Jesus also shed more light about the Kingdom of God and His second coming.

Paul and Acts

The book of Acts is an important book in the New Testament as it highlights the lives of the disciples after Jesus had gone back to heaven. This is where we see Him sending His disciples to spread the good news of forgiveness and love while healing and doing various miracles in the name of Jesus. It is in this book that we see various events such as the Pentecost and the first sermon delivered by the disciple Peter. Peter's prophesy would soon take shape as he started the early Christian church upon which other churches would be formed. It is also important to note that this is the same book that introduces its readers to Saul who would later be converted to Paul and play an important part in the spread of the gospel and the establishment of the early churches. Finally, the book of Acts is also evidence of what believers can do in the name of Jesus. We see the disciples and other followers of Christ-like Paul do various miracles and later on use these events as testimonies.

New Testament History and Literature

Week seven focused on what happens after the New Testament. After the New Testament, the church began to take shape which formed the foundation for the current church. According to Martin (2012), the development of the church as an institution is evident in the letters of Ignatius of Antioch. It is through these letters that we are introduced to some of the various church offices that would go on to govern the church. Some of them include bishops, deacons, and presbyters. There is also an emphasis on what form of authority these titles would have even as the church grew bigger. It was evident that the church was becoming big, and therefore, there needed a centralized form of order that would govern all Christians.

The New Testament was just the beginning. However, the transition from charismatic to official institutions only took place during the time of Paul and beyond. Some of the core factors that influenced the very early stages of Christian institutionalization can be found in the letters of Ignatius as well as the Didache otherwise known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.

These individuals play an important role in providing evidence of how the Christian faith grew, especially with the establishment of churches. Those who heard about the good news also decided to follow in the footsteps of those before them. Some were even prosecuted because of their faith and hence earning the title "Martyr". The church would soon become one of the strongest institutions in the world.

The Book of Revelation as Counter-Imperial Script

The final week is on Apocalyptic literature. The second coming of Jesus Christ is highlighted in the book of Revelation. However, this revelation comes in the form of an apocalyptic form of literature. Carey (2008) refers to it as "the most explicitly counter-imperial book in the New Testament". It is characterized by the condemnation of Rome and its empire by God while also prophesying about things to come in the new society even as Christians wait for the coming of the New Jerusalem from heaven. The writer of the book, John, reveals some of the things that must unfold before the revelation of Christ. It is also important to note that His second coming is not known.

The Sign of the Beast

The book of revelation is full of symbolism. Its main themes are that of prophesy and apocalypse. It is addressed to the seven churches of Asia. It contains key features like John's vision, the Seven-Headed Dragon, the Beast and the Serpent - all of which symbolize the second coming of Jesus. However, John dramatically paints a picture of his vision which involves going to heaven followed by a series of judgements and revelations which include the common sign of the beast.

Historically, the book of revelation has been interpreted in various ways. However, it can be agreed that the events highlighted in the book are found in the Old Testament in books such as Daniels, Psalms, Ezekiel, as well as Isaiah. In addition, some of the things highlighted in this book are soon to be evident if they are not already with us as a sign that the second coming of Jesus is upon us. In the recent past, Christians have been encouraged to be on the lookout for these signs while living a holy life even as they wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Class Questions

• How was Paul's view of the church different from that of the early church?
• Why is the book of Acts so integral to the Christian faith?
• What role, therefore, do the apostles play in the modern Christian faith?

Follow-Up

The Didache, for example, also provided ritual and liturgical instructions for various rites like the Eucharist, the Lord's Prayer, and baptism. This is an important follow-up section that looks at the transition of the early church into the current institutionalized structure.

References

Borg, J. Marcus. Reading the Bible again for the First Time. New York: HarperCollins, 2002. pp. 265-296.

Carey, Grey. The Book of Revelation as Counter-Imperial Script. In the Shadow of Empire: Reclaiming the Bible as a History of Faithful Resistance, 2008. pp 157-176.

Concannon, W. Cavan. Paul and Authorship. Society of Biblical Literature, 2018. Accessed September 22, 2019. From http://www.bibleodyssey.com/en/people/related-articles/paul-and-authorship

deSilva, A. David. The Sign of the Beast (Rev 13:11-18). Society of Biblical Literature, 2018. Accessed September 22, 2019. From http://www.bibleodyssey.com/passages/main-articles/sign-of-the-beast

Letter of St Ignatius to the Romans. Accessed September 22, 2019. From http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-romans-roberts.html

Martin, B. Dale. New Testament History and Literature. New Haven. Yale University Press, 2012. pp 277-291

Martin, B. Dale. New Testament History and Literature. Yale University Press, 2012. pp 379-388

Penner, Todd. Paul and Acts. Society of Biblical Literature, 2018. Accessed September 22, 2019. From https://www.bibleodyssey.org/people/related-articles/paul-and-acts

Perkins, Pheme. Reading the New Testament: an introduction. Paulist Press, 1988. pp 255-269

The Didache. Accessed September 22, 2019. From http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html