Introduction:
• Discerning the ethical pointers of the New Testament is not as straight forward as many might suppose. On the contrary, the process is quite nuanced. Many sincere believers differ in their understanding of the biblical message and its application to our standards of daily conduct. The goal of this book is to examine a faithful method of study and exegesis that can lead us to faithfully understand, interpret, and employ New Testament ethics in modern life.
• We would do well to reject the shadows cast upon faithful biblical interpretation by the present stream of American political thought. We cannot allow ourselves to project our current culture’s polarized view of morality and immorality into the biblical text. Doing so will skew the meaning of the original authors. They meant to say something particular and definite, and we have no right to interpose our desired meanings on top of theirs.
• The method of study presented in this text is four-fold. The first section examines the descriptive task of reading the text carefully; taking
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After all, the clearest picture of one’s ethos is not in what you teach to others, but in what you yourself actually do. In the wake of his gospel calling we find Paul embracing a difficult life with surprising confidence and joy. It seems that his view of the cross of Christ is the power behind this new life. For Paul, the cross of Christ is vast and rich with meaning. It is the key turning-point of existence, the crucial juncture between the first age and last age, the place where Christ took the curse of the Old Testament law upon Himself, the place where blessings were secured for both Jew and Gentile. At the cross Paul sees the most pervasive demonstration of the Father’s love for mankind and the proof of His righteousness and faithfulness. It was Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that secured redemption for all who will believe. But it is