Paul's Letter to the Church Abroad

Mothy_Emms

Mothy_Emms

Puritan Board Freshman
Its a running laugh in some christian circles to say Paul would be writing a few letters to the modern church if he were alive today.

Jokes aside, what do you seriously think Paul would write about in a letter of (uninspired) advice if he were to visit us and observe the church around the world enlarge for about a year?
 
Mothy_Emms said:
Its a running laugh in some christian circles to say Paul would be writing a few letters to the modern church if he were alive today.

Jokes aside, what do you seriously think Paul would write about in a letter of (uninspired) advice if he were to visit us and observe the church around the world enlarge for about a year?
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The same things faithful Pastors do every Sunday. And I dont mean that to be snarky either. It isnt that we do not know our faults, its that we dont care.
 
He gave a non-answer, but at the same time, the question is a bit of a non-question. We only know Paul through the Spirit-inspired writings that comprise part of Scripture. If the canon is indeed complete, then that means that everything that Paul needed to say to the church has been said.

So, if Paul were alive today, and if he were writing uninspired letters, he would probably be directing churches to the Pauline Epistles and providing interpretation and guidance on them.*

In other words, he would be doing what faithful pastors are (/should be) doing every Sunday.

*Given that his letters are inspired, and given a presupposition that authorial intent is not the sole determinant in Scriptural exegesis, there's no reason to think that even his commentary on his own epistles would be infallible or beyond debate.
 
Hello, Mothy, welcome to PB!

I don't know that David's reply is "slightly a non-answer", as by the Holy Spirit the writers of the NT (not only Paul) spoke to the churches up through the Christian era. And especially in Revelation – the final prophecy of Scripture – the warnings, comforts, encouragements, and words for churches in various situations, are explicitly given by Jesus, who said, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches", including all those up through the church age (Rev 2:7).

Pastors may – must – apply the Biblical principles so they are understood by every generation. The Spirit in us and in God's word knows just what to say. Forget "uninspired advice" – Paul yet speaks with authority.
 
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