Looking for Life: The Role of 'Theo-Ethical Reasoning' in Paul's Religion

by John G. Lewis

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2005

Overview

Through exegetical studies of 1 Corinthians and Galatians, John Lewis shows how Paul synthesizes theology and ethics - which interpreters frequently separate - as integrated aspects of Christian thinking and living. This fusion becomes evident in Paul's complex process of theological, moral reasoning that lies beneath the surface of his letters for which we have coined the phrase 'theo-ethical reasoning'.

The book also examines how Paul encourages his churches to apply this theo-ethical reasoning in the community practice of spiritual discernment - a dialogical, comparative process of reasoned reflection on behavior and experience. Through this practice of looking for life, community members are led by the Spirit as they reason together. They attempt to associate the manifestations of new life with conduct that faithfully portrays Christ's self-giving pattern. This correlation of conduct with experience grounds Paul's own proclamation of Jesus Christ in word and deed. It also becomes the foundation for believers' faith and hope as they come to know Christ and experience the power of God. Thus, the book concludes that the practice of spiritual discernment by means of theo-ethical reasoning lies at the centre of Paul's religion.

Contents

Top Highlights

“God divinely confirmed Christ’s human act of self-giving love for others on the cross by raising him from the dead.¹⁰ For Paul this event thus confirmed a new and universal behavioural pattern for all humanity that will hereinafter be referred to as ‘Christ’s cruciform pattern’ or ‘cruciformity’” (Page 2)

“Paul probably alludes to the six specific scriptural citations he has already used earlier in the letter.²⁴³ Each of the cited passages identifies how God destroys human standards of perception and reasoning and replaces them with God’s own divinely revealed norm. In 2:16 Paul characterized this new standard for reasoning as the mind of Christ (cf. 1:10; Phil. 2:2–5). Paul thus uses scripture to try to reshape the minds and perceptions of his readers, challenging them to recognize that in Christ God has established new norms for thinking and acting. He wants them to understand how God may now be known in the world through demonstrations of Spirit and power in connection with the embodied proclamation of Christ crucified (see 1 Cor. 2:1–5; 12:4–7).” (Page 77)

“Paul also explains the role of the Spirit for understanding the divine gifts of new life associated with Christ-conforming conduct. The community must compare spiritual experiences to be able to distinguish between experiences of the life-giving power of God associated with specific Christ-conforming actions and experiences of worldly power wrought through conduct conforming to worldly standards.” (Page 82)

“theo-ethical reasoning establishes the conceptual framework for the dialogical, community practice of spiritual” (Page 3)

Product Details

• Title: Looking for Life: The Role of 'Theo-Ethical Reasoning' in Paul's Religion
• Author: John G. Lewis
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 320
• Volume 291 in the Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement series

About John G. Lewis

John G. Lewis in varied teaching positions in the church, university, and seminary, integrates his experience as lawyer, New Testament scholar, and Episcopal priest to help people correlate faith and scripture with their experiences of ministry in daily life.