Pauline Theology Distinctiveness
Written by Rev. Tay Piak Kheng 17 August 2025
“Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2Ti 1:10)
Paul is a pioneer in Christ-centred systematic theology. Everything he explains has to do with the plan of God, i.e. everything God has done, is doing and will do through Christ. He sees the final goal of God’s work is in the glory of Christ – the glory of the Father and the Holy Spirit through the glory of Christ. Paul has thought through all the materials in a way that he holds them altogether and blends them into a coherent message, without adding to or subtracting from what was taught by Jesus during his earthly ministry and by the Spirit in the OT. What has been given to him uniquely, not exclusively, that he could explain more fully, more systematically, more elaborately than anyone else are mainly three themes:
1. The philosophy of God governing history
Paul developed the early teaching of the apostles (kerygma) into a comprehensive philosophy of history, which posits that through the last Adam, God is redeeming a vast number of people who were ruined by the first Adam. (1Cor 15:21,45) Since Christ first came into history, everyone is invited to share in the blessings of the Gospel on the same footing – through faith in Christ. Then history goes on with the church proclaiming Christ and making him known in this world. Through that proclamation, God is calling out to those whom he has chosen, until the final point in history when Jesus Christ Himself will reappear. And for that day, we are called to look and wait, and hope, and toil, and hasten towards that day.
2. Salvation through Christ in Chris
This is a vital personal union with the Saviour in his atoning death, burial and resurrection based on trusting him by faith. The Holy Spirit grafts us into Christ’s resurrected life, and thus grafts in us Christ’s nature, thereby transforming our basic disposition towards God to that of Christ’s. Now, what we want above anything is to love God, serve God, please God, honour God, know God, and glorify God!
3. Life in the Holy Spirit
Our new life in Christ is life in the Spirit who brings us into a living relationship with Christ and continues the work of grace in us. He transforms us into Christ’s likeness here and now, evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit, which we are incapable of producing on our own. He also empowers us for ministry with the gifts of the Spirit. He is our witness for being children of God and heirs of His glory.
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