Context is the Key to Meaning

Context is everything. When I say "9/11" there is no doubt concerning the meaning of this phrase. If the term was used pre September 11, 2001, it could of meant a myriad of things to different people. It could be some one's birth date or a couple's anniversary, or a day that holds a special place in some one's life. But post September 11, 2001, there is absolutely no doubt as to what it means in our present context. Regardless of what this date meant before, there is absolutely no doubt about what it means now.


This is why context - specifically historical context - is so important. It is the main element that offers us a definite environment to place the biblical writings. Paul's writings are no exception. As we took a big picture view of the historical context that Saul of Tarsus/Paul the Apostle lived in, it becomes very clear what period of history we are dealing with and therefore what phrases such as "Son of God" and "Resurrection" mean within the greater culture.


I do believe that this is how God has chosen to preserve the meaning of the biblical literature for us, by embedding it in a time period written to specific people within a specific context. Getting to the historical context then is crucial to understanding what we are reading. I want to encourage you to check out the link on the right hand side on the "1st Century Roman Empire." You'll find some interesting information there on the historical period of Paul's writing. You may also be interested in the Jewish context of Paul's upbringing and training. For more information on this you can check out the following: Paul: The Man and Teacher in Light of Jewish Sources When I was in Israel I found that this book by Risto Santala was held in high esteem by the Messianic Jews. Santala does a great job of orientating the reader to the Jewish historical context of Paul the Apostle and the on going Jewishness of the man as he follows Jesus and establishes communities that centre around Jesus across the Roman Empire.

We'll talk more next class on how Paul's primary worldview is Jewish and is the controlling worldview through which he understands the world around him. Unlike certain scholars who argue that Paul is primarily Greek since he was born in Greek territory in the Roman Empire, I argue that Paul was predominantly Jewish since he was born into a Jewish family and was educated in the rabbinical system in Judea. This training will provide Paul with the background through which he will decipher his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. We'll talk more about this significant event this Thursday as well.