Evaluate Pauls teachings in relation to the extent and significance of

change and the continuing impact today.

Pauls teachings have been most significant in the change they have created, and they
continue to have an extensive impact on Christianity today. Paul challenged the status
of Jews, as Gods chosen ones, and this changed the course of Christianity. He
played a crucial role in establishing Churches and developing Christian communities
in places such as Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, and Phillipi, and his theology was
accepted by early Christian communities and laid foundations for later developments
in theology. Pauls teaching have a continuing impact today, for modern day
Christians have inherited his theology. His teachings gives guidelines on an ethical
way of life, have been used by various groups to support their arguments and were
central in the reformation.
Paul was an innovator and interpreter, responsible for finding new or different
meanings for new contexts. The extent of the change he implemented was extensive
and its significance was enormous. Paul argued that salvation was for all, and
challenged the Jewish notion of being Gods chosen ones. This saw a dramatic shift
from Rabbinic Judaism, and his most significant impact was made at the council of
Jerusalem, where Christianity became distinct to Judaism. Paul had great influence in
his setting up and ministering of the gentile Church, and shaped the trajectory that
Christianity took. Paul also presented a major shift in theological thinking. Jesus had
been a reformer, but had no intention of moving beyond the boundaries of Judaism.
Paul, on the other hand, was introducing a new set of ideas to the gentiles, including
his beliefs on Christology, Eucharist, Ethical living, Salvation, Grace and
Ecclesiology. This theology was adopted by the early Christian communities and was
also to play a most significant role in later developments in theology, and in the
Reformation, a great period of change in the Christian Church. Luther used Pauls
theology, and in particular, his concept of justification by faith to formulate his
reforms of the early 16th Century, to show that salvation is the result of faith, grace
and good works and highlight to corruption present in the church. Similarly, Calvin
used Pauls works on predestination to support his claims. Whilst Jesus taught about
the reign of God, he never taught about himself. Paul, however, based his whole life
on the person and teachings of Jesus and his Christology heralds a new era with Jesus
as the fulfilment of the prophesies of Hebrew scripture.
Paul also was highly significant in establishing Churches in areas such as Corinth,
Galatia, Epesus, and Phillipi. It was through his missionary work that such Christian
communities were developed, and his letters that they were maintained. Hence, he
also made a great contribution and change in the practical sense.
Pauls teachings continue to have a highly significant impact today, and have an
enormous influence on all denominations of Christianity, and on the every day life of
believers, who are all inheritors of Pauls theology. Pauls writings form a great
percentage of the Canonical Christian scriptures, with of the scriptures in the new
testament accredited to him, and are generally used in one of the readings in the
celebration of the Eucharist. This is highly important from a catholic perspective, as in
the liturgy of the word, Christ is believed to be truly present.
Pauls teachings cover various aspects of life, and are held up as a model, giving
guidelines for an ethical way of life.

Rachel Bartholomeusz

Thus, they have a weekly impact on the life of every day believers. His teachings are
also embedded in Christian rituals such as Eucharist, Marriage and Funerals. An
adapted version of his teachings on Eucharist (1 Cor 11: 32 25) is used in the
fraction rite of the Eucharist, on the night he was betrayed, he took a piece of bread,
gave thanks to God, broke it and said This is my body, which is for you. Do this in
memory of me. 1 Corinthians 13, which talks of love that is patient and kind, not
jealous, concerted or proud, but an eternal love is often used in the nuptial rite of
Christian weddings. Similarly, his many teachings on resurrection and salvation are
often used at funerals to shift the focus from grief to salvation. His writings are also
used by some Feminist theologians to argue for greater inclusion in ministry and
prompts and encourages missionary endeavour in the various churches.
Pauls teachings are therefore most significant and continue to have an extraordinarily
large impact today. The change his teachings brought and the effect they have had
upon the course of Christianity is immense.

Rachel Bartholomeusz

Rachel Bartholomeusz