Christianity Commons^™

The "Spiritual Body" As Oxymoron In 1 Corinthians 15:44, Brian Schmisek

Brian Schmisek

The Chosen People: Election, Paul, And Second Temple Judaism, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

No abstract provided.

Anti-Social Media: Communal Transformation And The Barriers Of Technology, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

In light of the proliferation of social media consumption in the West and across the world, this paper considers the implications for communal participation and transformation, particularly for the Christian community. The paper argues that God intends for our formation as human beings in general, and as Christians in particular, to occur primarily in the context of interdependent relationships with others, and particularly within our faith family.

The Body Of His Glory Resurrection Imagery In Philippians 3:20–21, Brian Schmisek

Brian Schmisek

In the entire Pauline corpus, the term “body” is used with respect to resurrection in only two verses: 1 Corinthians 15:44 and Philippians 3:20–21. In neither case does it mean resuscitated flesh. In Philippians, Paul modifies the term body by “glory,” which he uses to express the radiant presence of God, in which Christ now and ultimately in which all believers will share. This article will attempt to show that for Paul the Risen Christ's “body of glory” is a term that indicates Christ's presence with God, rather than a descriptive phrase about properties of the resurrected body. The article …

To The Jew First: A Socio-Historical And Biblical-Theological Analysis Of The Pauline Teaching Of `Election' In Light Of Second Temple Jewish Patterns Of Thought, Anthony Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

Paul's "doctrine" of election has remained a controversial and enigmatic topic for centuries. Few studies, however, have approached Paul's doctrine through the context of Second Temple Judaism. This study examines Paul's view of election through the lens of Second Temple Jewish texts written prior to 70 CE. In doing so, it is argued that the best framework through which to view Paul's discussion of election is through a primarily corporate model of election. While such a model is rooted in Judaism, Paul departs from his Jewish contemporaries in arguing that the locus of election is in God's Messiah, Jesus.

The Resurrection Of Jesus And Spiritual (Trans)Formation, A. Thornhill

A. Chadwick Thornhill

What does Paul envision as the basis for the spiritual (trans)formation of the believer? Several key passages in the Pauline epistles reveal that Paul envisions a vibrant connection between the resurrection of Jesus and the expected character qualities and behaviors of those who are in Christ. In examining this connection between resurrection and Christian maturation, three distinct, though interrelated, emphases may be identified: 1) identification with Jesus in his resurrection, 2) submission to the lordship of Jesus and the expectations of his kingdom, and 3) hope in the future resurrection of those who are “in Christ.” While these form the …

Paul's Vision Of The Risen Lord, Brian Schmisek

Brian Schmisek

Paul, the one New Testament author who states clearly that Jesus appeared to him, has been cited as one who understood the resurrection of Jesus as fleshly, or physical. This article examines whether Paul himself understood the result of what happened to Jesus after his death to be a physical reality akin to the return of Jesus alive in the flesh. By investigating the three passages in which Paul refers to his own life-changing experience of the risen Christ (Gal 1:16; 1 Cor 9:1; 1 Cor 15:8), the article shows that there is just as much evidence to argue that …