Tom Wright, theologian and author of Paul: A Biography, takes audience questions on Paul's life and theology. Topics include the church's focus on Paul's teachings, distinguishing timeless teachings from culturally specific ones, women's head covering in worship, and Paul's strategic use of Roman citizenship and fulfillment of prophecy.
The church has focused more on Paul's teachings than on the teachings of Jesus, forgetting that Jesus announced the coming of God's kingdom on earth.
Distinguishing between the timeless and culturally specific aspects of Paul's teachings is crucial for proper interpretation in the modern context.
Deep dives
The Church's Emphasis on Paul's Teaching
The podcast discusses how the church has focused more on Paul's teachings than on the teachings of Jesus. It mentions that the Western church has forgotten that Jesus announced the coming of God's kingdom on earth. The teachings of Jesus are often reduced to fragments, while Paul's teachings are seen as the main essence of the gospel. Understanding the gospels as the description of how Jesus launched the kingdom of God changes the way one reads both the gospels and Paul's writings.
Interpreting Thorn in Paul's Flesh
The podcast explores the question of what the thorn in Paul's flesh represents, acknowledging that there is no definitive answer. Various possibilities are mentioned, such as recurring temptations, illnesses, or guilt from past actions. However, the lack of information makes it difficult to determine the exact nature of the thorn. The speaker also mentions Paul's humility in admitting that he doesn't have a concrete answer to this question.
Understanding Cultural Specificity in Paul's Teachings
The podcast delves into the challenge of distinguishing between the timeless and culturally specific aspects of Paul's teachings. It suggests that all of the Bible, including the New Testament, is culturally conditioned. The speaker argues that understanding the context of Paul's writings is essential for proper interpretation. While some teachings may no longer be relevant to modern Christians, others address broader issues, such as navigating faith in a polytheistic society. The importance of discerning the cultural context while acknowledging theological differences is emphasized.
Tom Wright takes audience questions on the person of Paul and is theogloy in part 3 of an event by SPCK to mark the publication of Paul: A Biography in 2018.