The Paul paper

In my quest to study theology, I took Chris Marshall's paper on Paul offered through Vic Uni's Religious Studies department in Trimester 2. As expected, it was not easy at all, but I have come away with a renewed respect (and frustration) of Paul's complete dedication in being the sent one to proclaim the mystery that is revealed in Christ and the glorious hope we have in Jesus (frustration because Paul did not seem any easier to understand!).

Andrei Rublev. Apostle Paul. c. 1420s. Tempera on wood. 160 x 109 cm

One key thing that struck me most was the way Paul would talk about his conversion experience. Or rather would not talk about it. The only place in the Bible that details what actually happens is in Luke's account in Acts 9. Paul himself hardly refers to his conversion other than as a way of contrasting what he was like before encountering the risen Jesus. His letters constantly point his readers towards Jesus: the good news and hope that is embodied in the his life, death and resurrection and furthermore urges his readers to model their way of life on Jesus. This may seem like obvious behaviour and attitude but I don't think it is what we hear much about today. People's testimonies are always peppered with the dramatic, so much so that most people think they need a dramatic story to become Christians or to be able to testify of God's grace and salvation. The drama usually is centred around their past and the conversion experience itself. But to Paul the drama is always about Jesus and the gospel of reconciliation. He always keeps the main thing, the main thing and urges everyone to do so.

I hope that I too am able to centre everything on Jesus. That Jesus will be the focus when I share stories about what is happening on campus or in my life, I too will encourage and help others to unpack the mystery that has been kept hidden from us through the ages but is now revealed in Jesus. And that I will help people believe in Jesus, not because it is an escape route from hell but because by believing the good news about Jesus they can be reconciled to God, seek to faithful ambassadors of Jesus and we will await in eager anticipation for God's righteous justice to prevail.

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:17-21 (TNIV)