The Book of Philippians: Theme

Sunday

The Book of Philippians: Theme

Hewlett explains that the Apostle Paul is thankful for the Christian fellowship with the church at Philippi, even as he is imprisoned. Hewlett (1440).

The Apostle Paul has been encouraged by the arrival of Epaphroditus from that church (Philippians 2). Hewlett (1440). The Apostle 'pays warm tribute to the repeated generosity of the church'. Martin (42).

But, the Apostle, is troubled by the lack of harmony in the church. Hewlett (1440). This church is to be 'marked by the mind of Christ' according to the Apostle. Hewlett (1440). Chapter 2, verses 1-2, explains from Paul that via the Holy Spirit, joy should be made complete by maintaining the same love, united in spirit and intent on one purpose. In context, the gospel purpose.

There is a call for 'unity and concord' from the Apostle. Martin (43). There is a call for a Christian standard of behaviour toward others in the Church. Martin (43).

The Apostle writes against Judaizers on one hand, and 'libertines' (1440), on the other hand. Hewlett (1440). These are enemies of the cross of Christ. Hewlett (1448). See Philippians, Chapter 3.

The Judaizers are those who rely on law over grace and the gospel, atonement of resurrection of Christ (Ephesians 1-2). The 'libertines' are those who deny the atonement and resurrection in a spiritual liberty leading to death and destruction. Martin mentions that there may have been a 'perfectionist' wing in the church at Philippi. Martin (43-44). Is there overlap with this possible group and Judaizers?

The Elwell text opines that within the Book of Philippians, there are those that advocate for a combination of the atonement and resurrection of Christ and also the continuation of Mosaic law, and rituals, such as circumcision. Elwell (297). This is the Judaizers. The Apostle Paul responds by stating that the heirs to the law are those in the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Elwell (297). The Judaizers opposed the cross of Christ by requiring the works of the law. Gundry (302).

Even as scholarship was not crystal clear in parsing these groups, in my opinion, Philippians does not exhaustively explain the nature of these groups. The Apostle Paul's theology is clear:

A gospel that does not embrace that the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ saves believers alone, is not the true, New Testament gospel. Those that promote a false gospel are enemies of the cross of Christ (3:18). Leland Ryken correctly reasons that the Apostle Paul embraced Jesus Christ's teaching that false teacher's exist and that Paul's example was to be followed. Ryken (458).

Hewlett writes that the church should not consist of those with 'selfish individualism'. Hewlett (1448). Paul expressed the need for Christian unity in love. Hewlett (1448).

BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.

GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

HEWLETT, H.C. (1986) 'Philippians' in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

MARTIN, RALPH P. (1987) Philippians, Grand Rapids, IVP.

RYKEN, LELAND (2015) Literary Introduction to the Books of the Bible, Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois.

The Book of Philippians: Date

Sunday

The Book of Philippians: Date

Ralph P. Martin documents the establishment of the church in Phillippi as the entrance of the gospel of Jesus Christ onto the continent of Europe. Martin (17). Martin bases this on the description from Acts 16: 12-40. Martin (17). Phillippi was located in Macedonia, which is now in modern Greece.

The traditional dating of this Philippians epistle is associated with the Apostle Paul's time in prison in Rome. Martin (17). Therefore, it is considered one of the prison epistles. Robert Gundry dates the text at 62-63 A.D. Gundry (364).

Martin describes two theories, where Paul could have written the text:

One is the proposed captivity of Paul, near Ephesus, in 54-55. There is another Roman captivity from Acts 28: 30 which dates from 61-63 A.D. Martin (37), which is the classic view.

Hewlett states that the Acts 28: 30 theory of the later date is the historically held view. Hewlett (1440). However, the earlier view based on Paul's time in Ephesus has gained some support in more modern times. Hewlett (1440). Hewlett writes that there is no scriptural, documented imprisonment of Paul in Ephesus, although this might have taken place in 2 Corinthians 11: 23. Hewlett (1440). He reasons the evidence for the traditional Roman captivity view, later on chronologically, is the stronger view based on evidence. Hewlett (1440). Oxford's Browning opines that there is no clear evidence for the imprisonment of Paul at Ephesus. Brown (294). Therefore, an earlier dating for the text seems academically questionable.

BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

HEWLETT, H.C. (1986) 'Philippians' in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

MARTIN, RALPH P. (1987) Philippians, Grand Rapids, IVP.

***A note for those that may be excessively challenged with geography: The book of Philippians was not written in the Philippines and it is not specifically written to people in or from the Philippines.

Although I can admit that it would be handy if it was, so these both could have the same English spelling.

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Market Value Dating

Thatcher's Blame

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PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.

Thatcher's Blame

This fallacy attaches blame no matter what outcome occurs. (198). Thatcher's Blame covers all conceivable outcomes. (198).

It is a fallacy because the evidence is irrelevant when the determination of guilt precedes the result of actions. (198).

Thatcher can always be to blame.

For political opponents using this fallacy, their worldview presupposes a premise (s) of blame for this former Conservative Party, Prime Minister and the conclusion also reasons blame.

This fallacy demonstrates a close-minded approach concerning a famous, political individual.

This fallacy can be used in contexts against various worldviews such as, for example, Christianity, atheism, Islam.

Paraphrased:

A Christian is generous to a poor person.

Critic X

Christians contribute to liberal-socialism in the world.

A Christian is not generous to a poor person.

Critic X

Christians do not care about the poor.

Or if we avoid the use of 'not'...

A Christian keeps money to self.

Critic X

Christians are selfish.

Pirie explains that Lady Thatcher was often found guilty of creating both poverty and wealth. (197-198).

May 5, 2022 

This type of reasoning lacks in rational objectivity. A proposition (s) (statement (s)) and/or an argument with premise (s) and conclusion, has a strong, closed-minded bias.

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

CONWAY DAVID A. AND RONALD MUNSON (1997) The Elements of Reasoning, Wadsworth Publishing Company, New York. 

LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York. (Philosophy).

PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.