Finances in the Pauline churches : a social-exegetical study of the funding of Paul's mission and the financial administration of his congregations
Paul, like other apostles who adopted the so-called 'charismatic poverty, ' could have relied on his churches for the funding of his mission. He rejected such support and opted to work on a trade, a choice which ultimately rested on his conception of the gospel and the influence it had on his life. He gives three reasons for his actions: love for his converts, not to hinder the gospel, and his independence/freedom. This shows also an awareness of his social milieu. This thesis utilises 'models from the environment' to demonstrate that Paul extensively adopted, reshaped or modified the social conventions of his day, as need be. He conceived the gospel as received and interpreted within his social context, appreciating the good aspects of that social context. He accepted hospitality and benefaction only when it did not 'hinder the gospel' as he put it. Similarly, Paul expected the churches of his mission to run their local finances on these same principles, with the social conventions of hospitality, and benefaction featuring prominently. Such hospitality and benefaction were however understood in the light of the gospel message described as the 'law of Christ' (&vogoc XPLUTOO). His admonitions on work indicate
Datiri, Dachollom C.
Biblical studies
Finances in the Pauline churches : a social-exegetical study of the funding of Paul's mission and the financial administration of his congregations. Paul, like other apostles who adopted the so-called 'charismatic poverty, ' could have relied on his churches for the funding of his mission. He rejected such support and opted to work on a trade, a choice which ultimately rested on his conception of the gospel and the influence it had on his life. He gives three reasons for his actions: love for his converts, not to hinder the gospel, and his independence/freedom. This shows also an awareness of his social milieu. This thesis utilises 'models from the environment' to demonstrate that Paul extensively adopted, reshaped or modified the social conventions of his day, as need be. He conceived the gospel as received and interpreted within his social context, appreciating the good aspects of that social context. He accepted hospitality and benefaction only when it did not 'hinder the gospel' as he put it. Similarly, Paul expected the churches of his mission to run their local finances on these same principles, with the social conventions of hospitality, and benefaction featuring prominently. Such hospitality and benefaction were however understood in the light of the gospel message described as the 'law of Christ' (&vogoc XPLUTOO). His admonitions on work indicate
pauline church social exegetical_study funding paul mission financial administration congregation paul like apostle adopt so_called charismatic poverty could rely church fund mission reject support opt work trade choice ultimately rest conception gospel influence life give reason_action love convert hinder gospel independence freedom show also awareness social milieu utilises models environment paul extensively adopt reshape modify social_convention day need conceive gospel receive interpret within social_context appreciate good aspect social_context accepted hospitality benefaction hinder gospel put similarly paul expect church mission run local finance principle social_convention hospitality benefaction feature_prominently hospitality benefaction however understood light gospel message describe law christ work indicate