Corpus-Paul

["Perry L. Stepp" <plstepp AT flash.net>]

One of the arguments Conzlemann made for the pseudonymity of the PE was that
their view of Christian citizenship differs from the view found in the
accepted letters.

As Conzlemann frames it:
In the accepted letters, Paul's view of the interaction of Christian and
world is--Conzlemann doesn't use this term--"apocalyptic", or
"world-denying".  Since Paul and his circle expected Jesus' return at any
time, they could afford a semi-hostile stance toward the society and
governments, etc.

In the PE, which Conzlemann concludes are written at the end of the second
generation Pauline, Christians no longer expect Jesus' return to be
immediate.  Christians are encouraged to live in the world in a way that is
respectful and will lead to peace with government and the society around
them.  The perspective is more eschatological (i.e., how to live in the
world during the end-times) than apocalyptic (i.e., "Get ready, He's
returning any minute!")

Conzlemann's picture is clearly an oversimplification.  Romans 13, 1 Cor 6,
and other passages in the undisputed Paulines draw a much more complex
picture of Paul's understanding of Christian citizenship (not to mention the
apparent shift in his view of the parousia).

One cannot make a conclusive case for definitive differences between the PE
and the undistputed Paulines on this count.

Agree or disagree?

And is there better terminology to apply to these opposing views than
"apocalyptic" and "eschatological"?

PLStepp

********************************************************************
Senior Pastor, DeSoto Christian Church, DeSoto TX
DCC's webpage: http://come.to/DeSotoCC
Ph.D. Candidate in Religion, Baylor University
#1 Cowboy Fan

Does it not concern us that God's name is often
dishonored because of poor theologies of God?
                   --Clark Pinnock, *The Openness of God*
********************************************************************