The central thesis of L. Ann Jervis’s new book, Paul and Time: Life in the Temporarity of Christ, is that inaugurated eschatology, or the overlap of the present with the future, or the presence of the future inadequately describe Paul’s theology of time. I have posted this image already but it’s vitality among NT professors and preachers is well-known: it’s what most believe.
Paul did, does, and will always have a unique perspective and Life-System in Christ. It has always drawn me to his writings. I see a connection of this with how Jesus communicated eternal life, the fullness of life, and the sense of a static electricity of “The Kingdom of God has come near.” This perspective alludes to the living fullness Jesus’ new covenant, for all, right now. Thank you!
… it better represents Paul's deep conviction that those who are in Christ are truly changed and no longer participants in the evil age; they are no longer captive to death and sin.
… it better reflects the absence of KoG language in Paul's writings. Instead of trying to shoehorn it in to create congruence with the gospels, in Paul's writings the central focus is on Christ.
… it fits (in my mind at least) Paul's speaking of the schemata of this world having passed away, and a new one being present.
… this sounds to me like a version of an Apocalyptic Paul? The inbreaking of Christ and the utter and abrupt change.
I do have questions that so far aren't answered, such as…
… what to do with pesky verses that imply an incompleteness, such as the Spirit being a down payment; Phil 2 working on salvation in fear and trembling?
… what to do with verses that imply a progression, again the Phil 2 verse above, but also being transformed from glory to glory.
… what is then the ethical implication? If someone sins, have they then fallen out of Christ? The ethical/moral implications are pretty stark, at least as far as I understand it.
p.s. You have "We are liberated from the present age, not a part of it." in 3 paragraph from bottom; I assume one of those nots should be there?
I like this a lot!
Paul did, does, and will always have a unique perspective and Life-System in Christ. It has always drawn me to his writings. I see a connection of this with how Jesus communicated eternal life, the fullness of life, and the sense of a static electricity of “The Kingdom of God has come near.” This perspective alludes to the living fullness Jesus’ new covenant, for all, right now. Thank you!
I’m going to have to chew on this one a while.
Interesting 🤨. Thank you Scott
I like, because…
… it better represents Paul's deep conviction that those who are in Christ are truly changed and no longer participants in the evil age; they are no longer captive to death and sin.
… it better reflects the absence of KoG language in Paul's writings. Instead of trying to shoehorn it in to create congruence with the gospels, in Paul's writings the central focus is on Christ.
… it fits (in my mind at least) Paul's speaking of the schemata of this world having passed away, and a new one being present.
… this sounds to me like a version of an Apocalyptic Paul? The inbreaking of Christ and the utter and abrupt change.
I do have questions that so far aren't answered, such as…
… what to do with pesky verses that imply an incompleteness, such as the Spirit being a down payment; Phil 2 working on salvation in fear and trembling?
… what to do with verses that imply a progression, again the Phil 2 verse above, but also being transformed from glory to glory.
… what is then the ethical implication? If someone sins, have they then fallen out of Christ? The ethical/moral implications are pretty stark, at least as far as I understand it.
p.s. You have "We are liberated from the present age, not a part of it." in 3 paragraph from bottom; I assume one of those nots should be there?