Great insights on the frame of Paul's theology
(Full review on SpoiledMilks, 8/17/21)
In this book, Constantine Campbell covers 11 themes reflecting Paul�s theology, many of which are broken down into subthemes. For example, if you're going to do a study on the kingdom of God, you can't search only terms like "kingdom" and "kingdom of God." You'll need to search for "king," a king's actions, what the kingdom does or how it functions, and so on.
Campbell's book is centered in Paul's understanding of eschatology. ââ?¬Å"The endââ?¬Â? shaped Paulââ?¬â?¢s thinking. As Campbell writes, ââ?¬Å"The ââ?¬Ë?endââ?¬â?¢ has already dawned on the ââ?¬Ë?middleââ?¬â?¢ of timeââ?¬Â? (5). It includes the past (Jesusââ?¬â?¢ death and resurrection), the present (current situation of Christian communities), and the future (the end of all things). The old age and the new age are realms that ââ?¬Å"mark out the ââ?¬Ë?territoryââ?¬â?¢ over which their rulers exercise influence and power, controlling those who belong to themââ?¬Â? (5). The old age is ruled by sin and death, but the new age by Christ by the power of the Spirit.
Paul�s eschatology is Christ-centered. It began with the death and resurrection of Christ, it has come, he is ruling the new realm now, and it will be fulfilled when he comes as Judge.
If union with Christ is the webbing connecting Paulââ?¬â?¢s key theological commitments, here ââ?¬Å"eschatology is the frame of the webââ?¬Â? (453). Every theologically significant event takes place within Paulââ?¬â?¢s ââ?¬Å"two-agesââ?¬Â? schema. It is all-pervasive. I think this is a wonderful book. Highly recommended.
