Paul of Tarsus contributed heavily to both the development and expression of Christianity.
His impact on the development of the religion is often recognized by the major contribution he made to Christian theology, as his writings and teaching make up close to a quarter of the Christian sacred text, the bible. In his letters, he gave Christians ethical guidance in their lives by interpreting and explaining the messages of Jesus.Three of the main beliefs Paul contributed to the theology, is that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, that Jesus’ death was our salvation, and that the Lord replaced the Mosiac Law. Paul’s contribution to the expression involves his commencement of the sacrament of Baptism.This relates to the reason in which Christianity spread rapidly as the sacrament allowed gentiles to join the religion, and Paul’s work as a missionary, setting up Churches, gave place for gentiles to do this, and led to an increase in adherents.
The final contribution worth noting is the distinct separation between Judaism and Christianity, influenced solely by Paul’s works and teachings.Explain the impact of this person or school of thought on the development of Christianity.Paul’s impact on the development of Christianity is based predominately on his contributions to Christian theology, and his missionary efforts that reformed the Church into what we know it today.Christians look towards there sacred text in times of confusion, doubt and often in times of need.
Paul’s letters not only offer guidance, direction and clarity but they also were the first writings of the religion, and this encouraged others to write and from that formulated the sacred text which remains the most significant source of ethical guidance to Christian adherents.Christians of today understand Paul’s contribution to the religion, as his teachings provide direction on how to live a Christian life, and the messages he translated from Jesus still hold enormous relevance to issues of today. For example, his work most significantly reinforces the Christian belief in salvation through faith in Christ, a belief Christians have held important in their lives throughout the religions existence.Arguably the most significant impact Paul had on the Christian faith and its development, was his inclusive approach to adherents, which led to the concept of the universal church open to all. He translated the teachings into different languages, established Churches in non-jewish predominant towns, and allowed all to become followers of Christ, without first being Jewish. His works quickly spread the religion to the Graeco-Roman world, which also contributed to the survival of Christianity as it is was now not restricted to a small sect of followers.
‘gentile or jew, servant or free’ (Galatians 3:28).With the faith now widespread, Paul would write letters, commenting on or answering question related to guidance and specific problems, to many towns and groups. He would translate and interpret Jesus’ messages to make the faith relevant to a range of situations and cultures, and thus allowed a common understanding of the faith amongst a very vast array of followers.Describe Christians ethical teachings on ONE of the following: * Bioethics:Christians approach ethical teachings by using sources and teachings and applying it to the issue or problem at hand.A Christian should take into consideration the five ethical sources of Christianity, revealed law, ecclesiastical law, natural law, logic and human experiences.
Revealed Law normally is derived from direct reference to scripture from the Bible, Ecclesiatical law is from Church teachings, whether it be reformed or traditional teachings, such as encyclicals by previous Popes, Natural law is the reasoning behind decisions and freedom of choice, God created us with the innate ability to determine his will, Logic is a gift from God and guides us to make correct decisions, and Human experiences such as our conscience is one way that God communicates with us, along with prayer.From these sources we can derive 6 key ethical teachings which give answers to many of the ethical issues adherents face. The sanctity of life, involves the respect we have for our lives and the lives of others and that God controls all life and death.Human beings are created in the image and likeliness of God, often argues that with harm to another human, they are harming God himself.
Dignity of the human person explains the value of all human lives is equal despite any other factors limiting contributions to the world. The understanding that human life possess an intrinsic dignity and value, shows how life has inherent value and testifies to the glory of God. Care, compassion and love as modeled by Jesus Christ, Jesus’ golden rule. Stewardship of creation, we are called to procreate.These ethical teachings and sources can be used and applied to many of the major ethical issues of today. For example, with the issue of Euthenasia, the Church looks towards ethical sources and would find even the basic beliefs in the 10 commandments ‘thou shall not kill’.
Under no circumstance, do Christians believes it is reasonable to take the life of another.Hence where ethical teachings interact with the source. The sanctity of life, as valued by Christians, is the teaching that all life is to be respected, and even the life of a sinner has the hope of redemption. Even in the most extreme circumstances, where the individual may be paralysed from the neck down, unable to control any part of his life and not wanting to continue it, does he or anyone else have the right to end that life in the Christian faith, which is also an expression of he dignity of the human person, no matter the condition they are in. Therefore when discussing bioethics in Christianity, there is normally a clear-cut answer to any ethical problem, and those conclusions are based on the ethical sources and teachings previously discussed above.* belief in the salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.* Written tradition of Christianity* The translation and the interpretation of Jesus’ teachings, which give ethical guidance and relevance to adherents throughout the history of the religion * Universal religion, made it into what the religion is today * Teachings about core beleifs which adherents hold as highly significant to the religion, in many denominations.
