Paul’s Eschatological attitude towards Politics

• Main Authors: Ching-Chang Chang, 張金章
• Other Authors: Samuel Chia
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/23407093238590748861

碩士 === 中原大學 === 宗教研究所 === 94 === Paul can be considered as one of the greatest and most influential theologians in the history of Christianity. His letters together with Jesus’ teaching, formed the central doctrines of the Christian faith. This paper tries to assess Pauline letters in order to investigate the influence of Paul’s eschatological view on his political view. First, this paper will arrange the passages from his letters that involve eschatology into chronological order. Then, after discussing the backgrounds of Pauline letters, trying to understand Paul’s experiences at that time, the passages will be analyzed to ascertain Paul’s thought on eschatology: imminent eschatology or the delay of the parousia. After arguing for the shift of Paul’s eschatological attitude, this paper will investigate the influence of Paul’s eschatological view on his political view. Again, relevant passages will be arranged in chronological order. Then, attempt will be made to show how Paul’s political view is influenced by his eschatological view. Near the end of this paper the issue of subordinating to the authority and criticizing the authority will also be discussed. In the final section, this paper will analyze the influence of Paul thought on the development of the Christian political relationship and its importance in Christianity.