Analysis of Apostle Paul's Contribution to Christianity

Introduction

Paul’s teachings and doctrines set the course for Christianity to become the worldwide religion it is today, and in this way, Paul’s impact and contribution to Christianity is extremely significant, Paul challenged the concept of Jews being the ‘Chosen Ones’ and allowing Christianity to flourish. He also played a crucial role in establishing Churches and developing Christian communities in places such as Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus and Philippi. Paul exemplified the way a Christian should live their life, providing inspiration for new followers that it is possible to undergo a “metanoia” experience and repent previous actions, these teachings continue to impact the Christian community today.

Paul’s contribution to Christianity

Throughout his lifetime Paul wrote many letters to Churches and individuals whom he had converted on his travels. There are 13 letters written by Paul that laid the foundations for much Christian belief and practice that are still referred to today and used as guidelines for modern Christian adherents. One of the most important themes in Paul’s writings is “agape”, or selfless love, such as in that described in his first letter to the Corinthians, 13, “Love is patient and kind…Love is eternal” etc. Paul emphasizes that without this outlook on life and love, humanity is without essence and goodness. Paul’s other letters also ask for the support of God in overcoming the new sect’s difficulties, as well as expanding on the teaching of Jesus in a variety of different contexts. His writings aimed to support, help, encourage and inspire the early followers of Jesus to flourish into Christian communities and to spread the message of peace and love. Through his behavior and writings, Paul exemplified the way a Christian should live their life, providing inspiration for new followers that it is possible to undergo a “metanoia” experience and repent previous actions. The clear fact that Paul not only changed his beliefs but also his behavior is at the essence of religious adherence and has retained its importance in the life of contemporary Christians. Paul undertook three extensive journeys in his lifetime- in 44, 48 and 55 CE that geographically spread Christianity across the massive Roman Empire- modern day countries such as Cyprus, Turkey, Greece and Italy, towns known as Antioch, Philippi, Corinth, Thessalonica, Rome and as recorded in Acts 15:41, “Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches”.

Unlike other small sects that faded away, the followers of Jesus strengthened and flourished in a number of places under the influence of Paul, unlike the small community in Jerusalem under the establishment of Peter who did not believe in converting gentiles. Opposed to the beliefs of Peter and others, Paul was an advocate for the gentiles’ inclusion into the Church rather than expecting them to convert to Judaism first. This conflict in beliefs between Peter and Paul resulted in confrontation as Paul wrote in Galatians 2.11-14 “I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned…he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.” Reminiscent of the behavior and actions of Jesus, Paul’s determination lead him to cause trouble on his missionary journeys. After his third journey Paul was accused of teaching against Jewish law in Rome and was physically attacked and imprisoned by the Romans, and it is generally agreed upon that he was martyred around 65 CE. Paul also was highly significant in establishing Churches in areas such as Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, and Philippi. It was through his missionary work that such Christian communities were developed, and his letters that they were maintained. Hence, he also made a great contribution and change in the practical sense. Paul’s teachings continue to have a highly significant impact today, and have an enormous influence on all denominations of Christianity, and on the everyday life of believers, who are all inheritors of Paul’s theology. Paul’s writings form a great percentage of the Canonical Christian scriptures, with ¼ of the scriptures in the New Testament accredited to him, and are generally used in one of the readings in the celebration of the Eucharist. This is highly important from a catholic perspective, as in the liturgy of the word, Christ is believed to be truly present. Paul’s teachings cover various aspects of life, and are held up as a model, giving guidelines for an ethical way of life.

Thus, they have a weekly impact on the life of every day believers. His teachings are also embedded in Christian rituals such as Eucharist, Marriage and Funerals. An adapted version of his teachings on Eucharist (1 Cor 11: 32 – 25) is used in the fraction rite of the Eucharist, ‘on the night he was betrayed, he took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it and said “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.”’ 1 Corinthians 13, which talks of love that is patient and kind, not jealous, conceited or proud, but an eternal love is often used in the nuptial rite of Christian weddings. Similarly, his many teachings on resurrection and salvation are often used at funerals to shift the focus from grief to salvation. His writings are also used by some feminist theologians to argue for greater inclusion in ministry and prompt and encourages missionary endeavor in the various churches.

Conclusion

Paul’s teachings are therefore most significant and continue to have an extraordinarily large impact today. The change his teachings brought and the effect they have had upon the course of Christianity is immense.

Paul was an innovator and interpreter, responsible for finding new or different meanings for new contexts. The extent of the change he implemented was extensive and its significance was enormous. Paul argued that salvation was for all, and challenged the Jewish notion of being “God’s chosen ones.” This saw a dramatic shift from Rabbinic Judaism, and his most significant impact was made at the council of Jerusalem, where Christianity became distinct to Judaism. Paul had great influence in his setting up and ministering of the gentile Church, and shaped the trajectory that Christianity took. Paul also presented a major shift in theological thinking. Jesus had been a reformer, but had no intention of moving beyond the boundaries of Judaism. Paul, on the other hand, was introducing a new set of ideas to the gentiles, including his beliefs on Christology, Eucharist, Ethical living, Salvation, Grace and Ecclesiology.

Works Cited

1. Baker, D. L. (2003). Two Minds on Romans: A Comparison of Barth and Sanders on Paul's Anthropology in Romans 5-8. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 46(2), 255-271.
2. Barclay, J. M. G. (2003). Paul: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
3. Barnett, P. (2002). Paul: Missionary of Jesus. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
4. Dunn, J. D. G. (2015). The New Perspective on Paul. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
5. Hooker, M. D. (1998). The Apostle Paul. Blackwell.
6. Murphy-O'Connor, J. (2006). Paul: A Critical Life. Oxford University Press.
7. Pelikan, J. (2005). The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, Vol. 1: The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600). University of Chicago Press.
8. Sanders, E. P. (2015). Paul: The Apostle's Life, Letters, and Thought. Fortress Press.
9. Wright, N. T. (2014). Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Fortress Press.
10. Yong, A. (2015). Spirit of Love: A Trinitarian Theology of Grace. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.