Deck 25: In the Wake of Paul: Deutero-Pauline Epistles

Question 1

1. The view of the resurrection in Colossians and Ephesians differs with that of Paul as found in Romans and the Corinthian correspondence. Pick a side and argue it, using as many specific examples from the text as possible. Keep in mind that the most persuasive arguments anticipate (and answer) counterarguments.

Answer 1

On the affirmative side, in the Corinthian correspondence, Paul argued vehemently that although Christians had died with Christ through baptism, they had not yet been raised with him. Colossians, on the other hand, makes the opposite argument: believers have both died with Christ and been raised with him. Similarly, Ephesians suggests that the believer has already been raised with Christ. On the negative side, it is unclear that the concept of being "seated in heavenly places" as in Colossians is really the same as believing the full glorification of the resurrection has taken place. Moreover, had Paul previously taught something resembling what appears in Colossians and Ephesians in Corinth, it would help account for why he has to correct misunderstandings about the resurrection with that church later.

Question 2

4. Compare and contrast the theological emphases of any of the following sets of texts: (i) 1 and 2 Thessalonians, (ii) 1 Corinthians and Colossians, and (iii) 1 Corinthians and Ephesians.

Answer 2

For 1 and 2 Thessalonians, see previous response (essay 3). The letter to the Colossians espouses a theology that appears to contradict Paul's teachings in other letters. In the Corinthian correspondence, Paul argued vehemently that although Christians had died with Christ through baptism, they had not yet been raised with him. Colossians, on the other hand, makes the opposite argument: believers have both died with Christ and been raised with him. Similarly, Ephesians suggests that the believer has already been raised with Christ. The author of Ephesians, moreover, uses the term "works" differently from Paul. For Paul, "works" refers to adherence to the Jewish Law, actions that cannot save. The author of Ephesians, though, understands "works" to mean those actions that demonstrate one's faith (like the book of James).

Question 3

5. Discuss the evidence for women's positions in Christianity from Jesus to the Pastoral epistles. In what ways did women's leadership roles change over time? Why do you think this happened?

Answer 3

The earliest Gospel traditions make clear that there were many women associated with Jesus: women provided financial support and accompanied him in his public ministry. Paul's undisputed letters indicate that women played a role in the foundation of the earliest churches. On the other hand, in some parts of his letters, Paul appears to teach that women should be submissive to men and not be active in church life. Since Paul's views of women could be interpreted as inconsistent-that women could serve in the church, but they must retain their social status as women-it is not surprising that Christian groups subsequently used Paul to advance their own, very different views. Some took the side that women could perform the same basic roles as men. Other Christians, however, took the opposite stance and argued that women should marry and occupy a traditional, submissive role (e.g., the Pastoral Epistles). As long as Christians met within the confines of the private home, women were able to hold positions of authority and prominence. As the movement grew, however, and Christianity became more public, it became problematic for women to retain their leadership positions.

Question 4

1. Nearly all scholars agree Paul wrote Ephesians.

Question 5

2. Many scholars doubt Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians because of its eschatology.

Question 6

3. Most scholars agree that Paul did not write the Pastoral Epistles.

Question 7

4. The Pastoral Epistles reflect a church structure differenrom the one reflected in Paul's undisputed letters.

Question 8

5. 1 Timothy is more encouraging of marriage and family commitments than 1 Corinthians.

Question 9

6. More scholars think Paul wrote Colossians than think he wrote Ephesians.

Question 10

7. The opponents in 1 Timothy seem to have been Gnostics.

Question 11

8. Most scholars agree that 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus were all written by the same person.

Question 12

9. Colossians states that Christians have already been joined together with Christ in heaven.

Question 13

8) All of the following were reasons for writing pseudonymously except

A) for profit.
B) as an act of humility.
C) to gain authority for the work.
D) to become famous.

Question 14

11) "Paul" is in ____________ when he writes to the Colossians.

A) Galatia
B) Colossae
C) prison
D) Jerusalem

Question 15

15) The opponents in 1Timothy appear to resemble

A) Montanists.
B) Marcionites.
C) Gnostics.
D) Ebionites.

Question 16

18) In the churches that Paul founded, all of the following were true except

A) there was no elder or overseer.
B) they believed everyone had received gifts from God's Spirit.
C) there was one man who was in charge.
D) when there was a problem they wrote to Paul for advice.

Question 17

19) Many churches probably developed a hierarchy of leadership because

A) the apostles had died and the churches no longer had leadership.
B) Jesus ordained the clergy.
C) the heretical groups had leaders.
D) Paul instituted the hierarchy when he founded each church.

Question 18

23) The book of Titus is most like

A) 1 Thessalonians.
B) 1 Timothy.
C) 2 Timothy.
D) Colossians.

Question 19

25) The author of 2 Thessalonians claims all of the following about the end except it

A) will come like a "thief in the night."
B) is still to come.
C) should not encourage apocalyptic freeloading.
D) will be preceded by certain events.

Question 20

31) Which of the following is not among the reasons 1 Timothy offers for why women should not teach men?

A) The church already has enough male teachers.
B) Women were created as secondary to men.
C) Women are like Eve.
D) Women are easily deceived.