Fluent Essays

RLGN 301 July 6, 2021 Paper Topic and Research Question The “CALLING” of Saul of Tarsus What is the Divine Purpose in Saul’s Conversion on the road to Damascus? Primary Source The Book of Acts is the primary source for the research Preliminary (Tertiary) Research Approved Resources for the Calling of Saul of Tarsus Constable, Thomas L. “Notes on Acts.” Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes. (2014). http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/acts.pdf. PAULS CONVERSION AND LUKES PORTRAYAL OF CHARACTER IN ACTS 8-1 https://web-b-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=9681ae1d-0e15-45df-82df-81de6e4235c5\%40pdc-v-sessmgr03 Research Problem “Thus Luke connects opposition to the church with opposition to God, and shows that Saul, in opposing the former, was an enemy of the latter. By showing the change from an enemy to one who himself suffers for the gospel, Luke indicates that Paul has entered into a relationship with God. This suggests, furthermore, that Paul joined an already established movement.” PAULS CONVERSION AND LUKES PORTRAYAL OF CHARACTER IN ACTS 8-1 https://web-b-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=9681ae1d-0e15-45df-82df-81de6e4235c5\%40pdc-v-sessmgr03 Purpose of the Research The purpose of the research is to analyze and discover the divine purpose in Saul’s Conversion on the road to Damascus. Saul’a whose name was chaged to Paul, on his quest to defend his Jewish faith against the Christians ‘belonging to the Way”, had obtained letters authorizing him to arrest Chrisitian in Damascus. Saul planned to take the Chrisitian followers of Jesus back to the Sanhedrin to stand trail, and possibly face a death sentence. Paul is still loyal to God, however, is converted to Christiantiy. Paul encounters Jesus on the road to Demascus that will impact his life for ever. Research Approach For my research approach I will primarily use the Bible, I will consult a variety of sources, biblical, scholary articles, books and theological commentaries. I will use the InterLibrary Loan to request sources. I will exegete the text in the Book of Acts. I also have oacees to the Liberty University Online Library, which allows me access to a broad range of resources. Page 2 of 2 RLGN 301 June 30, 2021 Paper Topic The “CALLING” of Saul of Tarsus Research Question What was the sifnificance of Paul’s conversion to spread Christianity? Primary Source Bible Note: All Research Paper submissions must be written in 12-point font, Times New Roman, and must be double-spaced. RLGN 301 1 August 2021 Thesis: Outline I. The Road to Demascus A. Saul the Pharisee 1. Saul the Jew had a zeal to defend his Jewish faith from the “disciples”. 2. Paul has dual citizenship – Hebrew and Roman citizenship. B. Authority 1. Persecuter of Christians has a letter authorizing Saul to arrest Christians in Demascus 2. Paul a student of the law, the synagogues in Damascus had to adhere to the authorization Paul possessed. II. Sauls Conversion A. Sauls Conversion to Paul 1. Saul encounters Jesus, he is blinded by the bright light and falls to the ground. 2. Jesus ask the question to Saul “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” 3. Saul recognizing he is in the presence of the Lord, humbles himself; he recognizes his own sprtiual blindness. B. Straight Street 1. Paul’s is without sight for three days, and the bible says neither did he eat or drink. 2. Ananias a disciple at Damascus, received a vision from the Lord telling hi to go to a street call Straight. 3. The Lord tells Ananias to lay his hands on Saul that he mignht receives his sight. 4. The Lord say Saul is his chosen vessel, and he must suffer great things for his name sake. III. Paul’s Persecution A. Paul faces persecution from the Jews, for spreading the Gospel. 1. Paul stoned – the Jews took council to kill Paul. 2. Saul’s name is changes to Paul. B. Imprisoned 1. Prisoner Paul’s warns “this is not s good time for sailing”, there is a shipwreck on Pauls way to, however Paul makes it on broken pieces. 2. The snake fastens itself to Paul and Paul shakes off the snake. Annotated Bibliography Bales, James D., and George Lyttelton Lyttelton. Saul, from Persecutor to Persecuted: Including Lord Lyttelton’s Essay on the Conversion of St. Paul Shreveport, La: Lambert Book House, 1975. Saul’s journey on the road to Damascus brings about a sudden change of heart, when he encounters Jesus along the way. Paul’s change of heart leaves those around him confused about his intentions. Those around him, are aware of his hatred for Christians. The Christian’a were aware, of Pauls intentions, he went about seeking them out to eliminate Christian’s individuals he considered to be breaking Jewish law. All of a sudden he is transformed, from despising people of the way (Christians) into fervently advocating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With the same zeal Paul had for eliminating the Christian people, like the most fervent convert, Paul simply couldn’t get enough of Christ. With the unctioning of the Holy Spirit, Paul would spends his life going from country to country and town to town proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul shares Jesus is the Messiah and organizes and encourages Christians to be stanch followers of Jesus Christ. Paul encourages nonbelievers to open their hearts to Christ, repent and be baptized. He would become one of the greatest Apostles of the Gentiles and his travels, letters and teaching changed the world. Paul often found himself in trouble situations, he was confronted, jailed, physically abused and repeatedly endangered and harassed for preaching the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The very message Paul previously attacked, he would never wavered from his teaching, nor would he fail his God, despite all the dangers he would encounter along the way. In the end, he would be taken to Rome as a prisoner. Becker, Jürgen. Paul : Apostle to the Gentiles First edition. Louisville, Ky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993. The Apostle Paul travels to Europe and Asia Minor speading the Gospel. It is noted that Paul is often reffered to as the apostle to the Gentiles, however he impacted more that the Gentiles. The most influential leaders of the early Christian church. Paul plays a crucial role in spreading the gospel while on his missionary journeys throughout the Roman empire. More than a dozen ministries are formed through Paul’s ministry. Paul, has lived on the other side of the cross, and now journeys sharing the Gospelto of Jesus Christ with both Jews and Gentiles. One of the most important impacts Paul made in the book of Acts was unique calling and ministry of the apostle Paul in the of the Christian church. Jurgen Becker, explores who Paul is through the person, work, letters, and thought of Paul in order to provide a comprehensive and through study. He shares information that answers both historical and theological questions. Pauls life is presented, with detailes, careful, and imaginative presentation of Paul’s life chronologicaly. Paul was a Jew, the son of a Roman citizen. Paul was educated in Jerusalem, where he studied under Gamaliel. Apostle Paul faced great challenges to preach the Gospel. Paul states that he is the “least of the apostles” and that he is “unworthy to be called an apostle” because of his actions before following Christ, But the grace of God has made him an apostle and by grace he was chosen to preach the gospel to the gentiles. Paul was characterized as the “apostle to the uncurcumsied” and Peter was “the apostle to the circumcised” Paul always preached to the Jews first and then the Gentiles. When studing the history of the early church and Pauls Epistles, it is easy to understand the crucial role that Paul plays. Brashler, James. Called to Preach. Presbyterian Outlook (Richmond, Va.) 199, no. 11 (2017): 41. Saul persecuter of the Christian believer. Saul has obtained authorization from Jewish authorities to arrest people belonging to “the Way” (Christians) has change of heart on his journey to Demascus. Saul has an encounter of a life time. continued his campaign against the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem with threats and murder according to Luke. Saul encounters the Lord Jesus Christ. On Paul’s journey on the road to Damascus, he is blinded by a flashing light and hears the voice from heaven, saying “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? Recognizing the voice as Lord. Saul had to be led into Damascus by his companions awaiting instructions from the Lord. Ananias receives a call from God to Saul, Go tells Anninias ro go to Straight Street and he to go and find Saul, who was praying and having a vision that he was being healed of his blindness. Ananias fearfull, however obeys God. God tells Ananias, that Saul was Gods chosen instrument to preach the gospel to all people: Gentiles, kings and Jews. Ananias found Saul and did as God instructed him laid his healing hands on him and Sauls received his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit. No longer was Paul a persecutor of the Christian people now he was a zelous preacher of the Gospel. Sauls preaching had a powerful effect on his Jewish hearers. Brasher shares , Sauls preaching confounded the Jews. Callahan, Allen Dwight. Brother Saul: An Ambivalent Witness to Freedom. Semeia, no. 83 Keck, Leander E. Christ’s First Theologian : the Shape of Paul’s Thought Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2015. This depicts the significance of the Apostle Paul, he share the why Christ matters. Paul deliberately projects himself projects a particular image of himself as a proud apostle. Paul an apostle whom God set apart for peaching/teaching the gospel. Paul citing (and modifying) a well-known tradition (1:3-4) without saying so, he shows himself to be an interpreter of the shared faith. Paul shows himself to be a “biblical theologian.” Paul share that his theology is being misrepresented, and corrects the false impression. He also takes care to show that he is an obedient subject of civil authority. Pauls zeal for the Gospel, shows his committement to the Gentile mission. Paul expresses anguish over the Jews’ rejection of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Kochenash, Michael. Better Call Paul Saul: Literary Models and a Lukan Innovation. Journal of Biblical Literature 138, no. 2 (2019): 433-49, http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https\%3A\%2F\%2Fwww.proquest.com\%2Fscholarly-journals\%2Fbetter-call-paul-saul-literary-models-lukan\%2Fdocview\%2F2260394996\%2Fse-2\%3Faccountid\%3D12085. Morgan, Teresa. 2020. Being in Christ in the Letters of Paul : Saved Through Christ and in His Hands. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck. Accessed July 19, 2021. ProQuest Ebook Central. Sanders, James A. “A Disciple in Damascus.” Biblical Theology Bulletin 48, no. 1 (February 2018): 34–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146107917746580. Steven Ger (2018). Acts: Witnesses to the World. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com Thompson, James W.. The Church According to Paul : Rediscovering the Community Conformed to Christ. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014. Accessed July 19, 2021. ProQuest Ebook Central. Page 6 of 6 RLGN 301 Research Paper Grading Rubric Criteria Levels of Achievement Content Advanced 90-100\% Proficient 70-89\% Developing 1-69\% Not present Development and Argumentation 70 – 63 points · THESIS: The paper advances a significant, clearly stated thesis. The thesis is readily identified in the introduction and reinforced throughout the paper. · SUPPORT: All major points in support of thesis are strong and clearly stated. Each major point is supported by compelling, scholarly evidence. · INTRODUCTION: The Introduction is focused and accurately and compellingly forecasts the paper’s direction while introducing the scholarly context for the thesis. The thesis is clearly presented as the last sentence of the Introduction. · BODY: Each paragraph is coherent unified around one clear idea that is clearly identified in a strong topic sentence. Paragraphs are logically and effectively ordered, building the argument to support the thesis. Appropriate and varied transitions are expertly used between paragraphs and sentences as appropriate. · CONCLUSION: The Conclusion is a compelling end to the writing. 62 - 49 points · THESIS: The paper advances a strong working thesis. The ideas of the thesis are relevant for answering the research question. · SUPPORT: The major points in support of thesis are evident, though they may be understated, misplaced, or in need of clarification, specifically through topic sentences. Most major points are supported by compelling, scholarly evidence. · INTRODUCTION: The Introduction is focused and presents the direction of the paper, but the scholarly context is underdeveloped. The thesis is present in the introduction, but may be misplaced. · BODY: Most paragraphs are unified around one clear idea. Topic sentences may be missing or unclear. Paragraphs are mostly logically and effectively ordered, but transitions between paragraphs need to be strengthened to build stronger connections between ideas. · CONCLUSION: The Conclusion is a compelling end to the writing. 48 - 1 points · THESIS: The thesis is missing from the Introduction, unclear, or is presented as a question rather than a clear statement to answer the research question. · SUPPORT: The major points to support the thesis are unclear, making it difficult to see how the Body of the paper supports the claims of the thesis. · INTRODUCTION: The Introduction is missing, unfocused, or significantly underdeveloped. The thesis is not present in the Introduction. · BODY: Paragraphs are underdeveloped as indicated by missing topic sentences, no support/evidence, and a lack of clear and thoughtful analysis of the research to show support for the thesis. · CONCLUSION: The Conclusion is missing, unclear, or does not accurately/appropriately sum up the major points of the paper. 0 points Source Selection and Evidence Presentation 70 – 63 points · High-quality, scholarly, credible sources are used to support the argument presented in the paper. · Source selection demonstrates a balanced approach to research, which appropriate primary and secondary sources that both support and challenge the presented thesis. · Paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting are effectively and judiciously employed. · Information cited is true to original context. · Citations demonstrate superior understanding of the ethical and legal aspects surrounding use of others’ intellectual property. 62 - 19 points · Scholarly, credible sources are used to support the argument presented in the paper. · Source selection favors only ideas that directly align with the thesis presented. There is little to no evidence presented to challenge or nuance the claim of the thesis. · The paper relies heavily on quotations to support claims. There are areas where lengthy quotations or ideas would be better presented as a summary or paraphrase. · Information cited is true to original context. · Citations demonstrate a sound understanding of the ethical and legal aspects surrounding use of others’ intellectual property. 48 - 1 points · Source selection is comprised of non-scholarly sources or the minimum scholarly source requirement is not met. · Source selection favors only ideas that directly align with the thesis presented. There is little to no evidence presented to challenge or nuance the claim of the thesis. · The paper relies heavily on quotations to support claims. There are areas where lengthy quotations or ideas would be better presented as a summary or paraphrase. 0 points Structure Advanced 90-100\% Proficient 70-89\% Developing 1-69\% Not present Language and Mechanics 30 - 27 points The paper is composed of graceful academic language (includes grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation) that skillfully communicates meaning to readers with clarity and fluency and is virtually error-free. 26 – 21 points The paper is composed of academic language (includes grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation) that clearly communicates meaning to readers. There are errors present, but these errors do not impeded the clarity. First and second person perspectives may be used, but it does not compromise the overall objective tone of the paper. 20 – 1 point The paper is composed of informal language (includes grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation). The language may be unclear, making the ideas difficult to follow. First and second person perspectives are used extensively throughout the paper, altering the tone of the paper to an informal, personal narrative. 0 points Format 30 – 27 points The paper correctly follows Turabian formatting guidelines. Footnotes and bibliographical source citations are used correctly and appropriately with few or no flaws. Title page reflects the required format. 26 – 21 points The paper mostly follows Turabian formatting guidelines. Footnotes and bibliographical source citations are present, and mostly in line with the Turabian manual. 20 – 1 point The paper does not closely follow Turabian style. The paper may use another style altogether or may not include any clear formatting guidelines. 0 points