Peter’s Christology comprises of both suffering and exaltation

Get Complete Project Material File(s) Now! »

The reason for the selection of this theme

Paul’s letters are ‘situational’ responses to the needs and requests of specific Christian communities (Bailey and Vander Broek 1992:29). Likewise Elliott (2000:12), and Elwell and Yarbrough (2005:363) consider 1 Peter as a letter of consolation and exhortation to beleagured believers, although some suggest that it is a baptismal liturgy or a baptismal sermon. Therefore, 1 Peter and Philippians can both be considered as letters which respond to the circumstances of their readers. The circumstances of the addressees of 1 Peter and Philippians can be inferred by reading each letter carefully with a view to the historical and social situation of the time. It can elucidate my argument that Peter and Paul employed their Christologies in their pastoral advice to their readers, that is, in their ethical exhortation1. In 1 Peter, Peter addresses the scattered believers in five provincial districts of Asia Minor, who are suffering for Christ’ sake. Peter’s message is one of comfort, hope and exhortation (Alexander 1983:752). In Philippians, the believers most probably encountered three groups hindering the effective progress of the gospel message, whether by opposing it directly, tampering with its contents, or failing to apply it within the congregation (Elwell and Yarbrough 2005:314). Most of the comparative passages between 1 Peter and Philippians (1 Pet 1:13-17; 2:1-3; 2:18-20; 3:13-17; Phil 1:27-30; 2:1-5; 2:12-18; 3:2, 7-10) describing the particular current situations are connected to the Christological passages (1 Pet 1:18- 20; 2:4-8; 2:21-25; 3:18-22; Phil 2:6-11; 3:7-10). Such comparisons confirm the centrality of the theme of Christology within the respective writings. Most scholars do not mention the close connection between the Christological and ethical exhortation sections in 1 Peter and Philippians. Some scholars2 studied the ethics of the whole of the New Testament. Furnish (1968) dealt with Paul’s ethics in relation to theology. Fowl (1990) and Styler (1973) have investigated Christology in relation to Paul’s ethics, while some scholars have merely considered Paul’s ethics3. The relationship between Pauline ethics and Christology still needs investigation seeing that the Pauline letters form one third of the New Testament and the combined 1 I only refer to it briefly to support the purpose of this thesis. I will however describe the common experience of believers, converted from their previous religion and social life. The believers by stepping into the faith in God through Christ Jesus, were moving ‘out of darkness into (God’s) marvellous light’, as Peter puts it. However, they still encountered great challenges, living in this dark, pagan society. In order to earn a living, they were expected to join the celebrations and rituals of their ‘trade guild’, offering sacrifices to the gods or goddesses associated with their trade’ (Guthrie and Motyer 1983:675). 2 Schnackenburg, R 1965, Longenecker, R N 1995, Schrage, W 1988, Houlden, J L 1992 and Hays, R B 1996. 3 Rosner, B S 1995, Seeberg, A 1995, Hartman, L 1995, Bultmann, R 1995, Parsons, M 1995, Schnabel, E J 1995, Schrage, W 1995 and Rosner, B S 1995, 2003. studies between his Christology and ethical exhortation have not yet thoroughly and completely satisfactorily been explored. However, it seems fortunate that Van der Watt (2006) has most recently edited an exellent book on identity, ethos, and ethics, of each of the books of the New Testament and of 2 Clement. According to second Clement, the past and the future of the divine act, are the decisive motivations for ethos (Pratcher 2006:597) Some scholars4 have concentrated their investigation on Christology in 1 Peter. Barr (1961), Winbery (1982a), Winter (1988a), Green (1990), and Van Rensburg (2006) have devoted themselves to the ethics in 1 Peter. Only Green (1980) and Watson (1971)5 have tried to connect ethics with theology. No one has, however, given attention to the connection between Christology and the ethical exhortation in 1 Peter. This study aims to investigate the function of 1 Peter’s Christology, how it to motivates his readers to remain faithful while suffering at the hands of a hostile society. Many scholars studied Christology in Phil 2:6-116. Only a few scholars (White 1990; Hawthorne 1996; Marshall and Marshall 2001; Gräbe 2006) have contributed to the ethical issues at hand. Fowl (1990:101) deals with the Christology of Phil 2:6- 11 as an example of a shared norm on which he founded his argument (Fowl 1990:101), but he has not considered Christology in relation to the ethical exhortative sections. Therefore, this study investigates whether the ethical exhortative motivation in Philippians should be considered in relation to its Christology and researches the ethical exhortative motivation in Phillippians as related to Christology.

Table of Contents :

• Acknowledgements
• Summary and Key Words
• Samevatting
• Abbreviations
• Chapter I Introduction
  • 1.1. The reason for the selection of this theme
  • 1.2. Methodology
  • 1.3. The hypothesis of this thesis
  • 1.4. The unfolding of the argument
• Chapter II 1 Peter’s Christology comprises of both suffering and exaltation
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 Christ’s redemptiom (1 Pet 1:18-21)
  • 2.2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2.2 The elementary faith of Christians
  • 2.2.3 Redemption through the precious blood of Christ
  • 2.2.3.1 The new life – completely opposite to the old life
  • 2.2.3.2 The issues pertaining to redemption
  • 2.2.3.2.1 Perishable things (silver or gold )
  • 2.2.3.2.2 The contrast (not … but)
  • 2.2.3.2.3 A precious reality in the blood of Christ
  • 2.2.4 God’s standard for man – to be like the Lamb
  • 2.2.4.1 The perfect lamb
  • 2.2.5 The character of Christ
  • 2.2.5.1 The pre-existent Christ
  • 2.2.5.2 The purpose of the divine appearance
  • 2.2.5.3 Presented to God through Christ, the perfect lamb
  • 2.2.5.4 The resurrection of Christ
  • 2.2.5.5 The glorification of Christ
  • 2.2.5.6 Faith and hope in God
  • 2.2.5.7 The certainty of blessing, as one remains in Christ through faith
  • 2.2.6 Conclusion
  • 2.3. The living stone (1 Peter 2:4-8)
  • 2.3.1. Introduction
  • 2.3.2 The metaphor of a building, based on the foundation of Christ as the living stone (units 1 to 6)
  • 2.3.2.1 The living stone as the way of entry into the family of God
  • 2.3.2.1.1 Christ as pivot of one’s life
  • 2.3.2.1.2 The nature of the community
  • 2.3.2.1.3 The concept of the living stone
  • 2.3.2.2 The character of the living stone
  • 2.3.2.2.1 The living stone rejected by human beings
  • 2.3.2.2.2 The living stone exalted by God
  • 2.3.2.3 The believers as living stones (Units 4 to 6)
  • 2.3.2.3.1 The living stones
  • 2.3.2.3.2 The believers should be built up into a spiritual house, as holy priests
  • 2.3.2.4 A spiritual offering ( acceptable to God)
  • 2.3.2.4.1 Jesus Christ as an instrument (as a spiritual offering)
  • 2.3.3 The quotation from Scripture to prove the arguments of units 1-6, and to motivate the readers (units 7 to 15)
  • 2.3.3.1 Introduction
  • 2.3.3.2 Quoted from Scripture
  • 2.3.3.3 A corner-stone placed in Zion
  • 2.3.3.4 The outcome for the believer
  • 2.3.3.5 Honour to believers
  • 2.3.3.5.1 Unbelievers in contrast to believers
  • 2.3.3.6 The stone rejected by the builders
  • 2.3.3.7 The vindicated stone as the corner-stone
  • 2.3.3.8 Christ as stone and rock – to cause stumbling and falling
  • 2.3.3.9 The reason for unbelievers’ stumbling
  • 2.3.3.10 The destiny of the unbelievers
  • 2.3.4 Conclusion
  • 2.4 The suffering of Christ as the example for believers (1 Peter 2:21-25)
  • 2.4.1 Introduction
  • 2.4.2 The suffering of Christ (units 1 to 9; vv 21-23)
  • 2.4.2.1 The call to suffering
  • 2.4.2.2 The suffering of Christ
  • 2.4.2.2.1 The purpose of Christ’s suffering
  • 2.4.2.3 The required standard set by the model
  • 2.4.2.4 Following him
  • 2.4.2.5 The innocent Christ
  • 2.4.2.5.1 No deceit in his mouth
  • 2.4.2.5.2 No retribution
  • 2.4.2.6 Christ’s trust in God
  • 2.4.3 Christ Jesus as atoning redeemer (units 10 to 14; vv 24-25)
  • 2.4.3.1 Carrying our sins on the cross
  • 2.4.3.2 Our lives are to portray his obtained righteousness
  • 2.4.3.3 Our healing a reality through his wounds
  • 2.4.3.4 Christ’s exaltation
  • 2.4.3.4.1 Our going astray like sheep
  • 2.4.3.4.2 The return to the shepherd and overseer of our
  • 2.4.4 Conclusion
  • 2.5 Christ’s suffering (1 Peter 3:18-22)
  • 2.5.1 Introduction
  • 2.5.2 Christ’s suffering for sins
  • 2.5.3 Leading us to God
  • 2.5.4 The contrast between flesh and spirit
  • 2.5.4.1 The death of flesh
  • 2.5.4.2 The resurrection of Christ
  • 2.5.4.3 The antithesis between in the flesh (sarki. v 18) and in the spirit (pneu,mati v 18)
  • 2.5.5 Proclaiming to the spirits in prison
  • 2.5.6 The patience of God in the time of Noah
  • 2.5.7 Constructing the ark
  • 2.5.8 The salvation of eight souls
  • 2.5.9 Salvation through water
  • 2.5.10 The saving activity of God
  • 2.5.11 Having gone to heaven
  • 2.5.12 Sitting at the right hand of God
  • 2.5.13 Subject to Christ
  • 2.5.14 Conclusion
  • 2.6 Final conclusion (The four Christological pericopes combined)
• Chapter III the ethical exhortation, as motivated by the Christology
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Holy life (1 Peter 1:13-17)
  • 3.2.1 Introduction
  • 3.2.2 Calling to hope (units 1 to 4)
  • 3.2.2.1 A Christ-centered mind
  • 3.2.2.2 Good life
  • 3.2.2.3 Hope in grace
  • 3.2.2.4 The coming of Jesus Christ
  • 3.2.3 The obligation of holiness (units 5 to 8)
  • 3.2.3.1 Obedient children of God
  • 3.2.3.2 The former desires
  • 3.2.3.3 Holiness (units 6 to 8)
  • 3.2.3.3.1 Called by the holy one
  • 3.2.3.3.2 Holy behaviour
  • 3.2.3.3.3 God’s holiness
  • 3.2.4 The judgment according to works (units 9 to 10)
  • 3.2.4.1 Calling upon the father who is the judge
  • 3.2.4.2 The sojourn in fear
  • 3.2.5 Conclusion
  • 3.3 Longing for spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:1-3)
  • 3.3.1 Introduction
  • 3.3.2 The character of their previous lifestyles
  • 3.3.3 The character of newborn babies
  • 3.3.3.1 Longing for spiritual milk
  • 3.3.3.2 Growth in salvation
  • 3.3.3.3 A taste of the Lord’s kindness
  • 3.3.4 Conclusion
  • 3.4 Submission (1 Peter 2:18-20)
  • 3.4.1 Introduction
  • 3.4.2 The guidelines for the behaviour of servants
  • 3.4.3 The approval of God (units 2 to 8)
  • 3.4.3.1 Undeserved suffering
  • 3.4.3.1.1 The grace of God
  • 3.4.3.1.2 Endurance in grief through consciousness of God
  • 3.4.3.1.3 Unjust suffering
  • 3.4.3.2 The glory of undeserved suffering
  • 3.4.3.2.1 What is glory?
  • 3.4.3.2.2 Mistreatment when you do wrong
  • 3.4.3.2.3 Suffering when you do good
  • 3.4.3.2.4 Grace from God
  • 3.4.4 Conclusion
  • 3.5 Good behaviour (1 Peter 3:13-17)
  • 3.5.1 Introduction
  • 3.5.2 Suffering for doing what is right
  • 3.5.2.1 Who is going to harm the one who is devoted to do good?
  • 3.5.2.2 Committed to do good
  • 3.5.2.3 Suffering for doing good
  • 3.5.3 The exhortation (units 4 to 11)
  • 3.5.3.1 Blessed
  • 3.5.3.2 The sanctification for the Lord in stead of being afraid
  • 3.5.3.2.1 Do not be afraid of people
  • 3.5.3.2.2 Reverence for the Lord in your hearts
  • 3.5.3.3 Prepare for defence
  • 3.5.3.4 An account of your hope
  • 3.5.3.5 Having a good conscience
  • 3.5.3.6 The opponents’ shame
  • 3.5.3.6.1 When slandered
  • 3.5.3.6.2 The opponents’ shame
  • 3.5.4 Suffering for doing good as the will of God
  • 3.5.4.1 The contrast between doing good and doing wrong
  • 3.5.4.2 The will of God
  • 3.5.5 Conclusion (3:13-17)
  • 3.6 Conclusion of the four sections (1:13-17, 2:1-3, 2:18-20, and 3:13-17)
• Chapter IV Christology (Phil 2:6-11) as motivation for the ethical exhortation in Philippians (Phil 1:27-30, 2:1-5, and 2:12-18)
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 The humiliation and exaltation of Christ (Phil 2:6-11)
  • 4.2.1 Introduction
  • 4.2.2 The self-humiliation of Christ (2:6-8)
  • 4.2.2.1 The pre-existent Christ (v 6)
  • 4.2.2.3 Motivation through Jesus Christ’s self-humiliation (v 6)
  • 4.2.2.4 Christ empties himself
  • 4.2.2.4.1 The form of a slave
  • 4.2.2.4.2 In the likeness of human beings
  • 4.2.2.4.3 Being found in human form
  • 4.2.2.5 Christ’s humbleness
  • 4.2.2.5.1 The obedience unto death
  • 4.2.3 The exaltation of Christ (vv 9-11)
  • 4.2.3.1 Exalted Lord
  • 4.2.3.2 His superior name
  • 4.2.3.3 Universal Lord
  • .2.3.4 The highest exaltation
  • 4.2.4 Conclusion
  • 4.3 The calling to unity, humility, and obedience in Phil 1:27-30, 2:1-5, and 2:12-
  • 4.3.1 Introduction
  • 4.3.2 Do not be afraid of the opponents (Phil 1:27-30)
  • 4.3.2.1 Introduction
  • 4.3.2.2 A life worthy of the gospel of Christ
  • 4.3.2.2.1 Paul’s concern for his readers
  • 4.3.2.5 Conclusion
  • 4.3.3 The same mind as Christ (Phil 2:1-5)
  • 4.3.3.1 Introduction
  • 4.3.3.2 Four characteristics of the Christian life
  • ChapterVThe ethical exhortations in Phil 3:7-11, 3:12-14, 4:4-7, and 4:10-13 motivated by Christology
    5.1.Introduction
  • 5.2 Paul’s righteousness through faith in Christ (Phil 3:7-11)
  • 5.2.1 Introduction
  • 5.2.2 Paul considers everything as loss because of Christ (units 1 to 3; vv 7-8b)
  • 5.2.2.1 Paul’s gain
  • 5.2.2.2 The incomparable precious knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord
  • 5.2.2.3 For gaining Christ
  • 5.2.3 The life in Christ (units 4 to 8)
  • 5.2.3.1 His desire to be found in Christ
  • 5.2.3.2 His righteousness not based on the law, but from faith in Christ and God
  • 5.2.3.3 His eager mind to know Christ better
  • 5.2.3.4 His conformation to Christ’s death
  • 5.2.3.5 His desire to attain resurrection from the dead
  • 5.2.4 Conclusion
  • 5.3 The prize to which God called him in Jesus Christ (Phil 3:12-14)
  • 5.3.1 Introduction
  • 5.3.2 Paul’s frustration and expectation
  • 5.6 Final Conclusion
• Chapter VI Christology as motivation for ethical exhortation: comparison between 1 Peter and Philippians
  • 6.1 The similarities between the Christology of 1 Peter and in Philippians
  • 6.1.1 The ethical exhortative perspective
  • 6.1.2 Pre-existence
  • 6.1.3 Suffering
  • 6.1.4 Exaltation
  • 6.1.5 Initiator of the exaltation
  • .2 The difference between the Christologies of 1 Peter and Philippians
  • .2.1 The soteriological perspective
  • 6.2.2 Suffering
  • 6.2.3 Exaltation
  • 6.2.4 Strong dependance on the Old Testament in 1 Peter
  • 6.2.5 Metaphorical expressions in 1 Peter
  • 6.3 The Similarity between the ethics of 1 Peter and Philippians
  • 6.3.1 The Opponents (1 Pet 3:13-17; Phil 1:27-30; Phil 3:7-11)
  • .3.2 The privilege of believers as the family of God
  • 6.3.3 The character of children of God
  • 6.3.4 The obligation of children
  • 6.4 The differences between the ethics of 1 Peter and Philippians
  • 6.4.1 Opponents
  • 6.4.2 Domestic servants
  • 6.4.3 Conflict
  • 6.4.4 Work out your salvation
  • 6.4.5 Paul’s final goal
  • 6.4.6 Rejoice
  • 6.4.7 Paul’s circumstances
  • 6.4.8 Metaphorical expressions in Philippians and 1 Peter
  • 6.4.9 Paul as an example to his readers
  • 6.5 The overlap of Christology and ethical motivation in 1 Peter and Philippians
  • Appendix
  • Bibliography

GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT