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Re: Local Lessons
Posted by caf lw - August 01, 2005 at 6:10:50pm
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Local Lessons
Posted by Glen LW - July 24, 2005 at 6:43:42pm:

Perhaps the most obvious teaching of the kind you describe is found in the seven letters of Revelation 2-3. As discussed by William Ramsay (The Letters to The Seven Churches of Asia) and many others, there seem to be many references in the text to the geography, history, culture, economy, etc. of each of the seven cities where the churches were located.

Paul explicitly refers to people known to the Corinthian Christians to illustrate his teaching about division and authority (as in 1 Cor 4:6, 9:1-6). He probably draws on local custom to affirm the teaching about masculine and feminine responsibilities and authority in 1 Cor 11:2ff. He is not there teaching them to conform to local culture, but probably does reinforce the teaching about headship and submission with references that would be locally understood.

It is to the church in Rome that Paul addresses specific instructions about the spiritual necessity of submitting to human authority (Rom 13:1-7) which leads into the classic teaching on how Christians fulfill the obligations of "the Law".

Lately I've become intrigued with the use of local items to illustrate spiritual ideas. There are various times Paul uses local items, some I have noticed:

: - When writing to Titus, Paul quotes a local prophet in Crete about the attitude of the residents which Titus must deal with on that island.

: - At the Areopagus Paul refers to their altar to the unknown god, and to the local Greek poets assertion that men are the offspring of God.

: - In the letter to Philippi Paul makes various references to it being a Roman Colony.

: - When writing to Ephesus Paul talks of a “holy temple” being “fitly framed” with its cornerstone and foundation.

:

I'm curious what other lessons from local items anyone might have noticed in the scriptures, especially the New Testament.

:

: Glen

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: Perhaps the most obvious teaching of the kind you describe is found in the seven letters of Revelation 2-3. As discussed by William Ramsay (The Letters to The Seven Churches of Asia) and many others, there seem to be many references in the text to the geography, history, culture, economy, etc. of each of the seven cities where the churches were located.

: Paul explicitly refers to people known to the Corinthian Christians to illustrate his teaching about division and authority (as in 1 Cor 4:6, 9:1-6). He probably draws on local custom to affirm the teaching about masculine and feminine responsibilities and authority in 1 Cor 11:2ff. He is not there teaching them to conform to local culture, but probably does reinforce the teaching about headship and submission with references that would be locally understood.

: It is to the church in Rome that Paul addresses specific instructions about the spiritual necessity of submitting to human authority (Rom 13:1-7) which leads into the classic teaching on how Christians fulfill the obligations of "the Law".

: : Lately I've become intrigued with the use of local items to illustrate spiritual ideas. There are various times Paul uses local items, some I have noticed:
: : - When writing to Titus, Paul quotes a local prophet in Crete about the attitude of the residents which Titus must deal with on that island. 
: : - At the Areopagus Paul refers to their altar to the unknown god, and to the local Greek poets assertion that men are the offspring of God. 
: : - In the letter to Philippi Paul makes various references to it being a Roman Colony. 
: : - When writing to Ephesus Paul talks of a “holy temple” being “fitly framed” with its cornerstone and foundation. 
: : I'm curious what other lessons from local items anyone might have noticed in the scriptures, especially the New Testament.
: : 
: : Glen

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