We’ve all been trained to think the bulk of Paul’s theology is found in Romans, when actually….
http://timgombis.com/2013/01/22/ephesians-not-romans-represents-pauls-theology/
consider the following:
The Christian church—at least in the West, and especially Protestants—has read Paul through the lens of Romans. We have historically regarded this letter as the center of Paul’s theology.
I don’t think this is right. Inasmuch as we can speak of a “center” of Paul’s theology and insofar as any extant NT letter represents that, I think Ephesians is a better candidate. Among other reasons, here are just a few:
First, Romans is situational while Ephesians isn’t. Paul argues as he does in Romans because he’s trying to resolve a conflict. Many of his statements are directed to that end, and when they’re taken out of their communicative context and transformed into abstract theological principles, they give a distorted picture of Paul’s theology.
Ephesians, on the other hand, isn’t situational. It’s probably a circular letter that Paul intended to be read to a range of churches in Asia Minor, informing them of what God has done in Christ and how they can participate in that. Because Paul writes to give multiple Christian communities a broad understanding, we can say that Ephesians represents Paul’s basic gospel proclamation (i.e., Paul’s “theology”).
Well there is more and it is certainly a provocative post. I like it! Let me know what you think. :-)
I vote for Hebrews (wink, wink).
Gombis makes a good case for Ephesians as opposed to Romans as the “center” (if there really is one).
Yeah, it’s a bit of a holy grail if you ask me.
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I would vote for none and all of them. The Lord didn’t write us a systematic theology but a story of his grace.
I think you are absolutely right and I think a great view into the story is seen in the notion of Ephesians as drama. i love the whole idea of the drama of scripture. thanks for commenting!