St. Paul and Western Christianity

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that St. Paul's letter to the Romans is known for being a profound treatise within the Christian canon of the New Testament. The writer discusses that numerous lessons and ideas can be extracted from Paul's magnanimous teachings but three general themes can provide a guide for showing a greater purpose in his writing. The writer looks at the issue of Christianity and Judaism coming to terms with each other, the history of Rome viewed as interconnected to the story of Christianity and the idea how new life comes with Christ. The writer maintains that these themes when viewed in connection with some actual sites around Rome in their historic and poetic context provide a framework for portraying how greatly Paul influenced Western Christianity.

From the Paper:

"Paul is a Jew that became Christian and Christianity is an outgrowth of Judaism which started in the East. Paul's letter to the Romans wrestles with issues that are addressed to Christians in Rome. But Paul's ideas are grounded in similar issues that arose in Jerusalem and Antioch. Paul's message then becomes a vital connection between Rome and Jerusalem which eventually filters throughout the empire. Consequently Paul becomes a bridge to the western world as his message becomes utilized for the whole Christian movement which eventually supplants Rome after the barbarian invasions.
"The disputes between the Jews, the Gentile Christians and the Christianized Jews over things like the salvation for both Israel and all humanity, justification, the role of Mosaic Law are some of the very key items that Paul deals with in Romans."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Anchor Bible, Romans. Ed. Joseph A Fitzmyer. Vol. 33. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
• New American Bible. 1970. Ed. Louis F. Hartman. St. Joseph ed. New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1991.

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