This PowerPoint presentation offers a visual introduction to the Apostle Paul. See illustrations from the Cartoonist's Guide to Acts where Paul is the character in the story. These slides will also provide introductions to Paul's background, some current scholarly conversations around Paul's theological location, and a guide to when Paul's letters were written in the context of his journey's.

1. The Apostle Paul

2. Paul’s World

3. The following slidesThe following slides
show Saul/Paul in theshow Saul/Paul in the
story of Actsstory of Acts

5. Saul witnesses
execution

7. Who is Paul?Who is Paul?Who is Paul?Who is Paul?
A JewA Jew

A PhariseeA Pharisee

A MysticA Mystic
A Roman CitizenA Roman Citizen
A JewA Jew

A PhariseeA Pharisee

A MysticA Mystic
A Roman CitizenA Roman Citizen

8. Paul’s WorldPaul’s World
Hellenistic CultureHellenistic Culture

Dualistic WorldviewDualistic Worldview

Common LanguageCommon Language
Roman EmpireRoman Empire

Pax RomanaPax Romana

Roads and TravelRoads and Travel
Mystery ReligionsMystery Religions

9. Paul’s BackgroundPaul’s Background
Roman CitizenRoman Citizen

Born in TarsusBorn in Tarsus
Jew among JewsJew among Jews

Philippians 3:4-6Philippians 3:4-6

Acts 22:3Acts 22:3
Persecutor of thePersecutor of the
ChurchChurch

10. What are the bigWhat are the big
questions about Paul?questions about Paul?

11. What is Paul’s relationship toWhat is Paul’s relationship to
the Law?the Law?
Traditional theory is that Paul was a Hellenist and wasTraditional theory is that Paul was a Hellenist and was
the actual founder of Christianity as a syncretisticthe actual founder of Christianity as a syncretistic
philosophy. Paul was converted away from Judaism tophilosophy. Paul was converted away from Judaism to
start a new religion.start a new religion.
E.P. Sanders revolution. Paul retained his JewishE.P. Sanders revolution. Paul retained his Jewish
heritage and saw Jesus as the fulfillment of theheritage and saw Jesus as the fulfillment of the
Abrahamic Covenant. N.T. Wright,Abrahamic Covenant. N.T. Wright, What Did Saint PaulWhat Did Saint Paul
Really Say?Really Say?..
Relevance of the question: Many critics of ChristianityRelevance of the question: Many critics of Christianity
point out a disconnect between Paul’s gospel and thepoint out a disconnect between Paul’s gospel and the
teaching of Jesus. It is our responsibility to see theteaching of Jesus. It is our responsibility to see the
connection and continuity between these two bodies ofconnection and continuity between these two bodies of
teaching.teaching.

12. LutherLuther Sanders/DunnSanders/Dunn
RighteousnessRighteousness
JudaismJudaism
Moral character of God,Moral character of God,
imputed to us by graceimputed to us by grace
The covenantal
faithfulness (justice) of
God to his covenant
people
A works based systems in
line with the Medieval
church, which believed that
one must earn the right to
enter the Kingdom of God
through correctly observing
the laws of moral behavior as
set out by the law.
A grace based system
understanding the primacy of
God’s promise to Abraham.
“covenantal nomism” =
following the law was the
natural response of a
member of the community,
not a means to earn the right
to be in the community.

13. LutherLuther Sanders/DunnSanders/Dunn
Works of theWorks of the
LawLaw
Justification byJustification by
faithfaith
Works to earn favor
with God and merit
salvation
The obedient lifestyle
of a covenant people
that understand the
grace of God as
primary.
Being made worthy to
receive salvation
through the imputation
of God’s
righteousness. This is
done through faith in
Christ and not by any
good works on our
part.
A seamless transition
from the Perspective of
Palestinian Judaism to
Paul’s theology. By
grace God established
the covenant with his
people and by his
righteousness he will
keep his promise. Jesus
is now the focus of faith,
in that he is the promised
Messiah.

14. LutherLuther Sanders/DunnSanders/Dunn
What wasWhat was
Paul’s problemPaul’s problem
with the “workswith the “works
of the law”of the law”
Works based system
to obtain salvation.
The misunderstanding of
the promise on the part of
the Jews. The works of
the law were intended to
bring life through
disciplined living, instead,
the Pharisees focused the
Law to make the promise
racially exclusive to Jews.
Thus shunning Gentiles.
The real issue for Paul
was that gentiles were
now, and had always been
invited into the covenantal
relationship with God,
through faith. It was solely
a racial issue.

15. What is Paul’s relationship to theWhat is Paul’s relationship to the
HistoricalHistorical JesusJesus vis. His life andvis. His life and
teaching?teaching?
Paul claims to have direct revelation fromPaul claims to have direct revelation from
Jesus.Jesus.
This raises the question of whether Paul’sThis raises the question of whether Paul’s
Jesus is more about the Historic Jesus orJesus is more about the Historic Jesus or
the Exalted Jesus.the Exalted Jesus.

16. The church spread because of persecution in Jerusalem
This is the diaspora

19. The following slidesThe following slides
show when Paul wroteshow when Paul wrote
his letters in thehis letters in the
context of Acts.context of Acts.

20. Galatians WrittenGalatians Written

21. 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Written
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Written

22. 1 Corinthians Written1 Corinthians Written
2 Corinthians
Written
2 Corinthians
Written
Romans WrittenRomans Written

25. Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
Philemon
Written
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
Philemon
Written

26. Paul After ActsPaul After Acts
Released from house arrestReleased from house arrest
Went to SpainWent to Spain
1 Timothy and Titus written1 Timothy and Titus written
Arrested in RomeArrested in Rome
2 Timothy written2 Timothy written
Executed by Nero (A.D. 64)Executed by Nero (A.D. 64)