Christian History From ULC Seminary

Lesson 4 answers Christian history

 

How did the world in which the apostle Paul lived contribute to his life in ministry?

 

     The empire of Rome was a vast multicultural empire and as such the apostle Paul would be influenced by it this could not be helped as he was a man of two worlds .

     Paul was born of Jewish parentage and a roman citizen this gave him great advantages his teachings in the Jewish faith and access to synagogues and also as a citizen his ability to travel gave him a privileged outlook on life.

       The impact of Greek philosophy and wisdom had become a part of roman tradition this and his being an observant Jew would assist with his life in ministry.

          While under emperor Claudius there was a period of stability this gave Christians a chance to build up churches and convert the pagans when it was realized Christianity was a threat to other deities then the persecutions intensified .

 

In what ways was Paul a man of two worlds

The Apostle Paul was a man of two worlds due to his birth as a Jew and his citizenship as a Roman .These two worlds helped him with his education and teaching of Christianity ,as a Jew he was taught the old testament  and as a roman he would have access to Greek which helped him with the school of philosophy it could be stated his two worlds are when he converted to Christianity.

 

How did the Apostle Paul's work show a certain genius for missions and apologetics

 

The early church apologists were missionaries who understood the need to adapt to their intended audiences ."Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have(1Peter 3:15).

          Apologetics is not just for the intellectual it is something we all do we understand right and wrong but find aspects of the bible or the testaments hard and as such we apologize .

          Paul's genius was to be able to answer questions that were put too him as for his missions he was able to travel and advise his church accordingly so as to make them more fulfilling and a success as such he adapted to the needs of the followers in his mission.