Reflections on Paul: Introduction

Yesturday I was challenged that I should, instead of reading blogs and being on the internet, read my Bible. While this is somewhat true, as it would be a lot more productive for me to be in God's word than worrying about what others think about theological issues, especially those to whom I have little respect for. I spend a great deal of time wrestling through the Bible trying to understand the literary form and the historical context so that I can gauge the contemporary significance.1 But through this challenge I came to realize that I should not waste my time. I should focus my attention on heavenly things.

Today I read Paul's letter in their historical order.2 I will be posting my reflections on each letter over the next couple weeks on this site. I hope that the reflections will bring glory to God and be an encouragement to those that read this blog.


1. Mark J. Boda. Haggai, Zechariah. (NIVAC: Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 2004), 22-3.
2. By no means are the order in which Paul wrote that letters agreed upon. I chose to follow the outline given by Robert W. Wall. "Introduction to Epistolary Literature," in NIB, Vol. X. (Nashville, Abingdon, 2002), 369-391, esp.373.