RS113-3-Paul/Fisk
1.Reasons to Obey
1.1. Transformation through union with Christ (Rom 6:1-5)
What is "baptism into Christ" (6:3)? Cf. 1 Cor.10:2; Rom 5:12-21; 1 Cor.12:13.
What kind of baptism does Paul intend here? Spirit baptism or water baptism?
If water, does he consider it a sacrament, a symbol, or synechdoche (part for whole)?
1.2. Transfer of allegiance to Christ (Rom 6:12-22)
What did Paul mean by slaves of/to sin (6:17, 19a, 20) and slaves of righteousness/God (6:18, 19b, 22)?
How useful is slavery as a metaphor for past relations to sin and present relations to Christ?
How was literal slavery conceived in Graeco-Roman society? Have things changed?
(See D. Martin, Slavery as Salvation: The Metaphor of Slavery in Pauline Christianity [1990].)
1.3. The work of the Spirit within the community (Gal 5:16-26)
Are virtues evidence of the Spirit rather than products of moral striving? (cf. Hays, 37)
2. Reasons Not to Disobey
2.1 Future divine judgment (2 Cor 5:9-10; Rom 2:1-16; 14:10-12; 1 Cor 3:10-17; 11:27-32; 1 Thess 4:23-25)
Should fear of judgment motivate Christians to obey God?
If yes, does this mean we earn salvation by being obedient?
If "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" (Gal 3:13), does not that mean that the conditional curses and blessings of Deuteronomy 27 and 28 have been suspended, so that God's blessing of the covenant people no longer depends upon their obedience?" (Hays, 40)
If no, what is Paul talking about?
2.2. Threat of apostolic discipline (2 Cor 13:2; 1 Cor 4:18-21)
Do individual Christian leaders today share Paul's authority to discipline wayward members?
1. Secondary Standards
1.1. Hellenistic philosophy and culture (1 Cor 11:14)
Compare the writings of Seneca, Stoic philosopher and Paul's contemporary.
1.2. Pharisaic Judaism (1 Cor 5:1-5; cf. Lev 18:8)
(See P. Tomson, Paul and the Jewish law: halakha in the Letters of the Apostle to the Gentiles [1990].)
1.3. Jesus' earthly teachings (cf. Hays, p.43; 1 Cor 7:10; 9:14)
Why does Paul so rarely cite Jesus' ethical teachings?
2. Primary Standards
2.1. Imitation of Christ (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 2:5; Rom 15:1-3)
Is "What Would Jesus Do?" a helpful/sufficient guide for Christian decision making?
What dangers accompany the popular WWJD movement? (See www.wwjd.com!)
2.2. Unity, Holiness and Needs of the Community (1 Cor 1:10; 5:6-7; 8:11-13; 11:18; 14:5)
"The ethical norm, then, is not given in the form of a predetermined rule or set of rules for conduct; rather, the right action must be discerned on the basis of a christological paradigm, with a view to the need of the community." (Hays, 43)
1. Problem: human impotence
1.1. the Mosaic Law set standards but didn't provide the power to keep them (Rom 8:3)
1.2. the human heart is sinful and inclined to disobey (Rom 3:23)
2. Solution: God's Spirit indwells God's people (Rom 8:1-17; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 5:15-26)
Why, then, do Christians continue to struggle with sin and temptation?
Does part of the answer lie in "the eschatological proviso" of Rom 8:18-30?
Can individual believers live holy lives without belonging to an authentic Christian community?