The Epistle to Colossians

1. The Epistle to Colossians

2. ?

3. Phrygian deity Cybele - Magna Mater

6. Intertextuality: • Quotations, allusions, Echoes • criteria for accepting intertextuality ? • specific – rare words • phrases • multiple links • contexts linked • makes sense • The role of the writer? • (did Paul understand?) • The role of the reader? • (did the Colossians understand?)

7. Knowledge, wisdom, understanding Col 1:9 Ex. 31:3; 35:31 Pr 2:6;9:10 Isa 11:2

8. Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Col 1:12 ¶ Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

11. In the beginning <07225> God created 07225 re'shiyth from the same as 07218(ro'sh) AV-beginning 18, firstfruits 11, first 9, chief 8, misc 5; 51 1) first, beginning, best, chief 1a) beginning 1b) first 1c) chief 1d) choice part Reshiyth = first:- time, generation/harvest, importance

12. Colossians 1 • 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. • And he is the head <2776> of the body, the church: who is the beginning<746>, the firstborn<4416> from the dead; that in all things he might have thepre-eminence <4409>.

13. 746 αρχη arche from 756; TDNT-1:479,81; n f AV-beginning 40, principality 8, corner 2, first 2, misc 6; 4416 ~πρωτοτοκος~ prototokos from 4413 and the alternate of 5088; TDNT-6:871,965; adj AV-firstborn 7, first begotten 2; 4409 πρωτευω proteuo from 4413; TDNT-6:881,965; v AV-have the preeminence 1;

15. Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the amongthe Gentiles glory of this mystery which is Christ inyou The hope of glory.

17. Colossians so far! 1:1 - 1:8 God’s Word (the Gospel) sent forth to create fruitfulness (Isaiah 55). 1:9 - 1:14 Prayer for the Spirit gifts to be given to the Colossae ecclesia so that their spiritual development might come to fruition (Exod 35). 1:15-23 The New Creation brought into being through the redemptive work of Christ (Genesis 1). 1:24-29 The ministry of the Apostle Paul in the Gospel - the minister to the body(the ecclesia) of the second Adam (Genesis 2, Isaiah 45). 2:1-23 The destructive effect of the Judaistic teaching on the body of Christ (Genesis 3).

19. Colossians 2:8 the tradition of men Isa 29:13 2:22 perish Isa 29:14 2:22 the commandments and doctrines of men Isa 29:13 Isaiah 29:13,14 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.”

20. Zeitgeist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Zeitgeist (spirit of the age or spirit of the time) is the intellectual fashion or dominant school of thought which typifies and influences the culture of a period. For example, the architecture and other art of the twentieth century was much influenced by the idea of modernism.[1] The German word Zeitgeist is often attributed to the philosopher Georg Hegelbut he never actually used the word. In his works such as Lectures on the Philosophy of History, he uses the phrase der Geist seiner Zeit (the spirit of his time)—for example, "no man can surpass his own time, for the spirit of his time is also his own spirit."[2] Other philosophers who were associated with such ideas include Herder and Spencer and Voltaire.[1] The concept counters the Great Man theory popularised by Thomas Carlyle, which sees history as the result of the actions of heroes and geniuses. Eph 2:1-3 1 ¶ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

22. Humanism • Humanist Manifesto II • “… But we can discover no divine purpose or providence for the human species. While there is much that we do not know, humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.” • science affirms that the human species is an emergence from natural evolutionary forces. As far as we know, the total personality is a function of the biological organism transacting in a social and cultural context. There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body. We continue to exist in our progeny and in the way that our lives have influenced others in our culture.

23. Humanist Manifesto II • We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational needing no theological or ideological sanction. Ethics stems from human need and interest. To deny this distorts the whole basis of life. Human life has meaning because we create and develop our futures. • We deplore the division of humankind on nationalistic grounds. We have reached a turning point in human history where the best option is to transcend the limits of national sovereignty and to move toward the building of a world community in which all sectors of the human family can participate. Thus we look to the development of a system of world law and a world order based upon transnational federal government.

24. Scientists and humanists fear creationist teaching is set to creep into more classrooms By Andrew Williams Thursday, 7 April 2011 Last summer the British Last summer the British Humanist Association co-ordinated a letter from scientists and educators to Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, urging him to specifically include the teaching of evolution in the primary schools curriculum. The Department of Education's reply indicated that this would be too prescriptive. However it went on to discuss creationism and intelligent design (ID), saying that, because they are not scientific, they do not form part of the national curriculum and should not be taught in science class … Dr Behe believes that although the scientific community is presently allergic to ID, this will change after a generation or two. "As scientists retire," he says, "the ones who are very antagonistic to ID will be replaced by those other scientists who have grown up hearing and wondering about it. And so I think that the atmosphere will change." His prediction illustrates why the education of children has become a battleground between ideologies, and why applications to set up free schools by organisations such as Everyday Champions Church will continue to remain in the spotlight.

25. A Post-Modern World? • Postmodernism “holds that there is no truth, no basic right or wrong, nothing good or bad, nothing evil or noble, nothing moral or immoral.” James Dobson (2003)

27. A reflection on humanism in the 21st century Background document prepared for UNESCO-Nishan Forum, 16 April 2012 The Director-General of UNESCO has proposed to respond to the challenges of our times through the lens of a New Humanism for the 21st century. Why do we need a New Humanism? The ideals of peace, tolerance and dialogue, the principles inscribed in the United Nations Charter, the Constitution of UNESCO or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all stem from humanistic values which can be identified throughout human history on all continents. They also form the basis for international cooperation as embodied in such global agendas as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) or the Education For All (EFA) goals. Humanism is UNESCO’s moral and intellectual DNA. The evolutionary philosophy of UNESCO embraces a profound optimism vis-à-vis the notions of human development and progress. In an era when the human population has reached 7 billion individuals, the belief that humanity can and does progress is an inspiration.

28. Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Psa 110:1 ¶ « A Psalm of David. » The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Acts 2: 34-36 … The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

29. What is the link between the New Creation theme and Psalm 110:1? Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places ... 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Psa 110:1 ¶ « A Psalm of David. » The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Psa 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

31. Col 3:18 ¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 4:1 ¶ Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

32. Colossians • 1:1 - 1:8 God’s Word (the Gospel) sent forth to create fruitfulness • (Isaiah 55). • 1:9 - 1:14 Prayer for the Spirit gifts to be given to Colossae so that their • spiritual development might come to fruition (Exod 35). • 1:15-23 The New Creation brought into being through the redemptive • work of Christ (Genesis 1). • 1:24-29 The ministry of the Apostle Paul in the Gospel - the minister to • the body(the ecclesia) of the second Adam (Gen.2, Isa 45). • 2:1-19 The contrast between the legalistic false teaching and the • atoning work of the Lord (Gen. 3). • 2:20-23 The challenge - “if ye be dead ...” (Isa 29). • 3:1-7 The challenge - “If ye then be risen with Christ ...” (Psa 110:1) • 3:8-4:1 Implications of the New Life in Christ. • 4:2-4:18 Things to do with our fellowship in Christ.

33. Laodicea

34. LAODICEA

35. Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 3:1 ¶ And unto ... Sardis write ... thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 14 ¶ And unto... Laodiceans write... 15 thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.