ROS - Paul - 15:15 HSC SA - Christianity significant person short answer - Paul of Tarsus- - received PDF

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Christianity significant person short answer - Paul of Tarsus- - received 15/15 in Christianity short answer in CSSA trials & HSC...

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ROS - Paul Questions i) Briefly outline ONE contribution to Christianity of ONE significant person or school of thought, other than Jesus [2 marks]

Paul of Tarsus’ has contributed to Christianity through his writings as a missionary. Paul emphasised the Importance of Love as he stated, “If I speak… but have not love… I am only a resounding gong” (1 Corinthians 13). In making the primacy of love foundational for Christianity, Paul has contributed significantly by guiding adherents to righteousness through the beliefs and teachings derived from his writings.

ii) What impact has the Paul had on the expression of Christianity [5 marks]

The literary works of Paul of Tarsus have had a monumental impact on the expression of Christianity. The teachings derived from Pauls letters provide a platform for the development of new approaches to worship. This can be clearly seen in Baptism which reflects Pauls teaching of the Membership of the Body of Christ as by one spirit we are baptized into one body” (1 COR 12:13), as well as, the offering of a sign of peace and the Charismatic Ministry which demonstrates Paul’s teachings of peace and ultimately, his ever-present impact on the expression of Christianity. Furthermore, Pauls letters continue to be used in Saturday and Sunday worship as Catholics use the bible in combination with Pauline theology and in the words of Frank Brennan SJ, “For Protestants the writings of Paul are the centre of the New Testament”. Moreover, Pauls letters as a missionary provide guiding theology, such as The Importance of Love as he stated, “if speak in tongues… but have not love, I am only a resounding gong” (1 Corinthians 13). The impact of this teaching on the expression of Christianity is reflected through Pope Francis’ letter “To the People of God” from the Vatican addressing the child sexual abuse incidents as he used extracts from Pauls letters to promote the primacy of love in our daily lives and provide a vision of unity for the future. Ultimately, the ever-relevant teachings of Paul and their

impact on style and structure of worship, as well as, the continuing practice of using his letters, demonstrates his immense and continuous impact on the expression of Christianity.

ii) What impact has the Paul had on the development of Christianity [5 marks]

Paul's impact on the development of Christianity is self-evident in the fact he engineered a new religious tradition for Christianity, aiming to reinstate Jesus’ values and teachings. He spread Christianity throughout the Greco-Roman world through his ‘Pauline Epistles’ which simultaneously directed early Christian communities to overcome theological concerns and guided adherents in how to live a Christian life in in the varied cultures of the Mediterranean. In clarifying oral law, Paul greatly impacted the development of Christianity as he called for a more dynamic approach for an individual to establish an intrinsic connection with God. An example of this is how Paul proclaimed faith in risen Jesus allowed Salvation as “God’s love is intended to lead you” (Romans 2:4-5). This developing Christianity as adherents were no longer redirected to an understanding and faith bound by Mosaic Law as Paul taught the primacy of love as more important than the observance of law. Furthermore, Theologians such as Martin Luther and John Calvin have interpreted beliefs and teachings derived from Pauline theology consequently impacting on the widespread development of Christianity. Puals letters majorly influenced John Calvin when establishing Presbyterianism and Martin Luther, the founder of Protestantism, who interpreted Paul's teaching on ‘Justification by Faith’ (Sola Fide) as highlighted in (Romans 1:17) “The Righteous man shall live by faith”, and used it as his justification for breaking away from the Catholic Church. Ultimately, Paul’s impact on the development of Christianity is largely reflected in its transformation from a Sect of Judaism to the world’s largest religious tradition.

Analyse the impact of Paul [20 marks]

Paul of Tarsus has greatly impacted on Christianity as a dynamic religious tradition. His lasting impact on the lives of adherents is evident in various aspects of the current Christian tradition. As such, Paul

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exemplifies his leadership in the Christian tradition by calling on individuals to a new understanding, thus emulating the model of Jesus. Paul's impact is highlighted in the fact that he engineered a new religious tradition, provided guiding theology and heavily influenced both other theologians and the style and worship within Christianity.

Paul's impact is self-evident in the fact that he engineered a new religious tradition for Christianity, aiming to reinstate Jesus’ values and teachings. Paul of Tarsus challenged the status quo of the time and changed what it meant to be Christian. In challenging the inherent beliefs of Judaism and the laws imparted on adherents, such as circumcision and dietary laws, Paul established a new religious tradition which incorporated the inclusion of Gentiles and ultimately exemplified a new dynamic belief in God. In clarifying oral law, Paul greatly impacted the lives of many as he transformed what had been a sect of Judaism into a distinct religious tradition that called for a more dynamic approach for an individual to establish an intrinsic connection with God. An example of this is how Paul proclaimed faith in risen Jesus allowed Salvation as “God’s love is intended to lead you” (Romans 2:4-5). This highlights how Paul established guiding beliefs for Christianity and adherents are no longer redirected to an understanding and faith bound by Mosaic Law as Paul taught the primacy of love and that it is more important than the observance of law. Hence, Paul's impact in establishing a new religious tradition exemplifies Q as he provided the means by which all people, “Greek or Jew, slave or Jew” (Genesis 1:28) could understand and therefore follow Jesus.

Pauline theology demonstrates his ever-present impact as his writings as a missionary formed the teachings that ultimately guide adherents in their daily lives. Paul spread Christianity throughout the Greco-Roman world through his ‘Pauline Epistles’ which simultaneously guided early Christian communities to overcome theological concerns, as well as, how to live a Christian life in in the varied cultures of the Mediterranean. Paul's writings expressed key ethical teachings that encapsulate the primacy of love. Subsequently, they establish a platform for adherents to foster a relationship with God and all individuals. This is clearly reflected in Paul's teaching on the Membership of the Body of Christ as “we were all baptized by one spirit into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). !Paul clarifies the importance of baptism as a visible sign of membership of a community, that ultimately reveals his impact as a unifying force for this religious tradition. In addition to this, his letters as a missionary

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informed adherent of The Importance of Love as he stated, “if speak in tongues… but have not love, I am only a resounding gong” (1 Corinthians 13). !Paul made the teaching of love foundational as he taught adherents that the primacy of love shall conquer observance of Mosaic law. Furthermore, Pauline theology emphasises the importance of the principal belief of Salvation as it reflects the inherent beliefs of Christianity. Jesus is portrayed as a source of salvation as adherents are able to “receive God’s abundant provision of grace… through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). For many adherents in society today, these teachings and beliefs are interpreted as guiding factors. For example, Catholics use the bible in combination with Pauline theology as a guide and in the words of Frank Brennan SJ, “For Protestants the writings of Paul are the centre of the New Testament”. Overall, Pauline theology has had a continuous impact for adherents as it acts as a source of guidance.

Paul of Tarsus is extremely significant as his writings have influenced reformers and senior religious figures, therefore demonstrating his continuing impact. His letters laid the groundwork for future developments in theology and in turn have had a profound impact on Christianity as a whole. This is evident in the case of Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestantism, who used Paul’s teachings on ‘justification by faith’ (sola fide) (Romans 1:17) as his main reason for breaking away from the Catholic Church. Similarly, many other theologians such as, Augustine of Hippo and John Calvin, were influenced by Pauls writings and have established variants of Christianity that guide thousands of people. More recently, Pope Francis published a letter “To the People of God” from the Vatican in 2018 addressed the child sexual abuse incidents involving members of the church and words from Pauls letters as a missionary were used to acknowledge the suffering of many, thus demonstrating the significant impact of Paul and his writing for the Christian community. Furthermore, Pauls writings have had an extreme and present impact on the variants of Christianity and subsequently, all adherents. This widespread impact is clearly reflected in the fact that Anglicans + Catholics celebrate the conversion of St Paul on the 25th of January annually, the fact that the annual week of prayer for Christian unity ends on the Feast of St Paul and how Pauls Martyrdom is celebrated by Catholics + Anglicans + Lutherans + Eastern Orthodox on the 29th June each year. Hence, Pauls impact is widespread as his theology has served as the catalyst for the formation of variants of Christianity which impacts on adherents in their daily lives.

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Paul's impact is clearly reflected in Christianity’s modern-day style and structure of worship. The teachings and beliefs derived from his writings have provided a platform for the development of new approaches to worship. This can be seen in religious rituals and the functioning of the Catholic Church as they directly reflect Paul’s teachings. For example, Baptism, a sacrament of initiation, reflects Paul's teaching on the Membership of the Body of Christ as “we were all baptized by one spirit into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). In addition to this, Paul's teaching of peace is practiced within all Christian churches through the prayer for peace and adherents offering each other the sign of peace. Paul's teaching of Charismatic Ministry is evident in Churches today as the offertory procession emphasises Paul's impact on the lives of adherents in bringing about God’s will. Furthermore, Letters continued to be used today particularly in Saturday/Sunday worship. Their continuing practice and ever-relevant importance highlights Paul's lasting impact on the style and structure of worship within Christianity.

Ultimately, Paul of Tarsus had an imperative impact on Christianity as a dynamic religious tradition. By engineering a new religious tradition, providing guiding theology and heavily influencing both other theologians and the style and worship within Christianity, Paul has not only shaped Christianity but has directly impacted and guided all adherents in emulating the model that Jesus set.

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