6 - Paul: cruciformity and the discernment of apostolic authenticity

Summary

The theological reasoning of our time shows very clearly that the particular form of the death of Jesus, the man and the messiah, represents a scandal which people would like to blunt, remove or domesticate in any way possible. We shall have to guarantee the truth of our theological thinking at this point. Reflection on the harsh reality of crucifixion in antiquity may help us to overcome the acute loss of reality which is to be found so often in present theology and preaching.

– martinhengel (1977:89–90)

Introduction

After some consideration of the Johannine understanding of criteria for discernment, I propose now to look at Paul's treatment of the issue. Paul, like John, both continues and transforms the characteristic Old Testament criteria, though with distinctive emphases. Paul's most extended engagement with critical discernment of claims to speak for God comes in 2 Corinthians, and so a study of 2 Corinthians will constitute the core of this chapter. Nonetheless, there is much other material in Paul which is pertinent to the issue, and so a brief consideration of three passages, from 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians, and Philippians, will preface the study of 2 Corinthians.

The way in which Paul, like Jesus and John, has absorbed, and takes as established, what one finds in the Old Testament can be seen from a passage such as 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22:

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise the words of prophets [or despise prophecies], ²¹ but test [dokimazete] everything; hold fast to what is good [to kalon]; ²² abstain from every form of evil.