Dr. P. Toni Tantiono | Bible Seminar

 

Paul's Irreplaceable Influence in the Shaping of Christianity

The writings of the Apostle Paul are one of the most important foundations of Christian history and theology. Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 are attributed to Paul. The astonishing fact is that these letters, especially 1 Thessalonians (AD 49-50), are the oldest texts in the New Testament, even written long before the writing of the Gospels. This shows that the theology of the early church was shaped first by Paul's thinking, before the story of Jesus' life, ministry and death was compiled in narrative form. Moreover, Paul's works became the starting point for the study of theology, while influencing the structure and content of the gospels and epistles written later. His intellectual and spiritual legacy has shaped essential understandings of Christology, salvation, and eschatology in the Christian tradition.

 

From Persecutor to Apostle: Transformation on the Damascus Road

Before being known as the Apostle Paul, he was known as Saul, a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin who grew up in Tarsus and received a higher education. As a Pharisee, he was a zealous student under Gamaliel, one of the great teachers in Jerusalem. Saul was so proud of his observance of the law that he considered Christianity a blasphemous heresy, proclaiming the crucified Jesus as the Messiah. With his fanatical beliefs, he felt obligated to eradicate the movement. He not only approved of the persecution of Christians, as in the case of Stephen's death, but also actively led the hunt, arrest, and imprisonment of Christians.

 

However, Saul's life changed radically through the dramatic events on the road to Damascus. Saul's conversion was not the result of a personal quest, but a pure initiative of God. Paul doesn't even call it "repentance" (metanoia), but rather feeling himself "captured" by Christ. This experience transformed Saul from a man who considered himself great and knowledgeable, to Paul, which in Latin means "little one," a symbol of humility before divine grace.

 

The Heart of Paul's Theology and Teaching

Paul's entire theology centers on Christology, the teaching about Christ. In contrast to the Gospels which highlight Jesus' miracles and teachings, Paul emphasized the meaning of Jesus' death, resurrection, and humility. For him, the crucified and risen Christ is the core of faith. This understanding shaped his views on God as the Father of Christ, on faith, the church, the Holy Spirit, and the ethics of Christian living.

 

The core of his teaching was the doctrine of justification through faith in Jesus Christ, not through works according to the law. Paul argued that the law, which used to serve as a guide, had lost its saving function after the coming of Jesus, who became the fulfillment of the law. Paul did not reject the law completely; he only opposed the man-made traditions that were imposed as conditions for salvation. For him, true faith is not merely an intellectual confession, but a faith that is manifested in life. As such, good works are not a condition of salvation, but rather the fruit or evidence of the faith that has been bestowed.

 

Paul's teachings

Despite being written thousands of years ago, Paul's teachings remain relevant and have profound meaning for modern life.

• Sanctification of the Body: Paul affirms that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, an important warning for modern society that tends to neglect morality and the sanctity of the body.

• Human Rights: Paul's struggle for equality between Jews and Greeks, men and women, free people and slaves, remains relevant to issues of human rights and equality that are still being fought for today.

• Unity in Diversity: His teaching on the different charisms or gifts within the one body of Christ (the church) provides a theological basis for confronting division and promoting unity in the midst of differences.

• Humility: Paul's message to emulate Christ's humility is a powerful antithesis to the arrogance and self-centeredness often seen in advanced societies.

• Hope: His teachings on faith, hope, and love became important theological virtues. Paul offered strength in the midst of despair. He himself endured suffering because he had faith in Christ and hope in the resurrection.

 

During the Reformation, Paul's writings, especially the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians, became the center of theological discussions that led to the concepts of sola fide (by faith alone) and sola gratia (by grace alone). Although differences in interpretation briefly caused tension between the Protestant and Catholic traditions, modern dialog managed to bridge the gap and produce a joint declaration on Justification. This proves that Paul's legacy continues to be alive and influential, shaping the theology, ethics and spiritual life of Christians around the world.

 

Paul's influence on Canonization and Church Tradition

Paul not only contributed through his teachings, but also influenced the way the early church collected and canonized the scriptures. Collections of Paul's letters already appeared in the late first or early second century, showing that the early church was quick to recognize the authority and inspiration of his writings. Although his writings were sometimes misused by heretical groups, such as Gnosticism, his letters were never removed from the New Testament canon. This shows how highly the early church recognized the inspirational status and spiritual authority of these writings.

 

In addition, Paul's influence is also seen in the development of important doctrines such as Christology, Soteriology (salvation), and Eschatology (end times). Paul not only proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, but also provided a profound theological framework on the meaning of His death and resurrection for human salvation. For him, Christ's death on the cross was the culmination of God's grace, which enabled mankind to be justified before Him through faith. Through this teaching, he expanded the understanding of Christ from that of a mere prophet or great teacher to a divine figure equal to God the Father.

 

Paul and the Law: A Complex Relationship

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Paul's teachings is his view of the law. Many interpret his teaching as a total rejection of the Jewish law. In fact, Paul did not reject the law itself, but rather challenged the notion that obedience to the law was a condition of salvation. He saw the law as a "guardian" that leads people to Christ. After Christ came, the law was no longer the way of salvation, but it still had moral value that was essential to the life of the believer. Paul emphasized that the ultimate goal of the law is love, which is the fulfillment of the entire law. As such, good works are not the way to salvation, but rather the fruit that comes from true faith.

 

Conclusion

Paul's legacy in the history of Christianity is invaluable. He underwent a radical transformation, from a persecutor to an apostle, and went on to formulate a theology that is profound and relevant across the ages. His teachings on justification through faith, grace, and the humility of Jesus continue to form the basis of understanding the Christian faith around the world. Although written thousands of years ago, Paul's message of equality, unity, and hope remains relevant to today's moral and social challenges. Through his works, Paul ensured that the gospel of Christ not only remains alive, but also continues to thrive, be relevant, and influence the lives of millions of people to this day.