St.

Paul University Philippines

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

Student No: 2016-01-0015 Date of Submission: (06-05-2017)

Name: Romeo T. Balingao Professor:
ALLAN PEEJAY MAQUIRAYA LAPPAY, Ph.D.

INS 201 PAULINE ETHICS

ACTIVITY 1
1. How do the following structures/elements of the Pauline Epistles affect
ones understanding of Pauline Ethics in the present times?
a. Grammatical Structure
- In my opinion, the interplay between indicative and imperative
moods of the same verb within a passage expresses the logical
connection between what one believes and the way one lives
(compare "walk by the Spirit" in Gal 5:16, 25). If we trust what
Paul proclaims to be truethat the indicatives or facts of God's
salvation are found in Christ Jesusthen we also must trust
that God's grace will transform us so that we are able to live in
accord with God's perfect will, Our minds are in fact renewed to
know God's will; our sin nature has in fact been "crucified with
Christ" and replaced with the Spirit of the Risen Christ. The
result is that our vices are exchanged for virtue. For Paul, the
transformed life is the moral result of our participation in
Christ's work and helps to validate our public confession that he
is indeed God's Christ and creation's Lord.
b. Literary Structure
- The sacrifices, life and blood of Christ when he was crucified are
strong reflection of Gods undying love for humanity that he
sacrifice his only begotten son for the redemption of human sins.
Christ existence is call for a change; a redirection towards our
living god teachings and preaching, that man should not just
concentrate on the physical needs or wealth but on spiritual
belief. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, it is written, man
shall not live by bread alone, but by the word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God.
c. Logical Structure
- Man should understand and accept the existence of Jesus Christ
as our saviour as he offers his life and blood.
- John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and
the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me.
- 1 Timothy 2:5
- For there is one god, and one mediator between god and men,
the man Christ Jesus.
- Corinthians 8:6 but to us there is but one god, the father, of
whom are all things, and we in him; and one lord Jesus Christ,
by whom are all things and we by him.
- These verses clearly show the connection between Jesus, God
and their sacrifices, but it only shows one common reflection a
reflection of Un-ending love for the humanity.
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

2. Cognizant of the Theological and Cultural Considerations of Pauline

Ethics, how would you foster ethical/moral values/virtues in the following
realities of today:
- Consumerism? Like Apostle Paul his ethical views in
consumerism is want vs. need. Luke 16:13 No one can serve
two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or
you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot
serve both God and money. Paul ethics on God is one Free God
relates that humans can extensively explore the resources of life
meaning people may choose what path of life he want to walk on
it might be rich or poor or any classification of life provided that
we should always practice tradition to Gods obedience and by
establishing norms. You may choose to be a good person
because you have faith in God.
- Mundane Tendencies? Do not conform to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what Gods will ishis good,
pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). God cares about what's
going on in our hearts. In any decision we have the opportunity
to choose who we will worship. Will we worship God or will we
worship ourselves? God desires to be the highest priority in
every part of our lives. We have all now the luxury of life, the
unlimited freedom for the exploration of earth resources for
human consumption and production, the power to rule and
conquer the world but we should always be reminded to work
and move in the boundaries of gods ethical norms and
commandments.
- Relativism? Innovation change as years continuously move
and evolved development of technologies, mechanization of
manual labours, constant changes of life style makes different
approaches and solutions as to propagation and teaching on
Gods doctrines. An Ethical Relativism it must holds that
morality is relative to the norms of one's culture. Always respect
for the personality of every man/woman in Christ and for the
value of social laws and for human nobility and civilization
- Technological Dependence? Yesterday Today and tomorrow
Technology place a vital role in human development, As the pace
of technology innovation continues each year, we grow
accustomed to the new. Our generation today will be much
more tolerant of new technology changes than any who came
before us, it shows active participations of the society on social
issues and concerns without age limitations through social
medias; churches therefore should ride with the technology to
constantly remind everyone about gods teachings by using
internet and social media to propagate Christian believers. Other
churches used technology in their worshiping like projectors,
computers, Internet and other technology innovated gadgets to
propagate.
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

- Economic Scarcity? Paul's economic ideas, once identified,

and set in their socio-cultural context, In the Bible, economic
questions are always considered from a moral viewpoint recalling
human needs and particularly, those of the poorest in society.
For example, in Genesis (Chap. 41), in the light of the period of
low-productivity, represented by "thin cows" which had been
revealed to Pharaoh in a vision, Joseph advised stock-piling a
fifth of the harvest whilst there was still time, so that it could be
redistributed when the famine arrived. The care taken to
guarantee human subsistence is reiterated in a moral
condemnation of wealth, but not the wealthy. Ecclesiasticus (31
:3-7) explains : "Passion for gold can never be right ; the pursuit
of money leads a man astray". Deuteronomy (15 : 9). Scarcity
becomes an actual sufferings of different countries most
especially to those countries who belong to the third world and
under develop countries; these realities of life are natural as
indicated by the prophecy we instead we should strengthen more
our faith to god for our salvation.
- In our present time economic scarcity becomes an actual
sufferings of different countries most especially to those
countries who belong to the third world and under develop
countries; these realities of life are natural as indicated by the
prophecy we instead we should strengthen more our faith to god
for our salvation.

3. How does St. Paul regard grace? What is its importance to ethical life in
our contemporary time?
- The epistles of Paul begin with a salutation that always includes
the words, grace to you and peace or grace, mercy, and peace
as in the case of 1 and 2 Timothy. Pauls salutations include the
writer, the recipient, and the greeting proper, which follows the
style of other letters of his time. Pauls salutations add a new
flavor, however, due to the meaning of the words grace and
peace for believers in Christ. While grace to you and peace
recall the normal Greek and Hebrew greetings. Paul basically
coined a slight variation to connote the deepened Christian truth
of grace. Charis (grace) goes beyond the typical chai rein. By
doing this he placed the focus on the unmerited blessings given
to believers in Christ. Through Gods marvellous grace sinners
are delivered from their sins and brought into a saving
relationship with a holy God by the work of God on their behalf
completely free of charge. This grace does not cease with
salvation from sins penalty, but continues on as the foundation
of the believers life with God throughout all eternity. These
blessings of grace Paul and his associates wish for their readers.
Grace always brings benefits and one of these benefits is
reflected in the word peace which the Apostle always associates
with Gods grace. In fact, the order is significant. First grace and
then peace.
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

- Based on the significance and meaning of grace, for many

believers, the concept of grace goes little beyond the basic
definition of unmerited favor or the free gift of God. But since
grace is at the very heart, indeed, it is the very foundation and
fountain of true Christianity; we should have a better grasp of
this important word and its truth. The ramifications of Gods
grace to us in Christ vitally affect our lives on every hand.
Throughout the New Testament the effects of Gods grace are
emphasized. Everywhere we turn, we run into this word (104
referencesNIV). In fact, the Lord Himself is described as the
very epitome and manifestation of Gods grace. Titus 2:11 For
the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
Furthermore, the doctrine of Gods Grace in Christ is multi-
sided. As a doctrine of the Word it touches every area of truth or
doctrine in one way or another. Every aspect of doctrine is
related to grace. It is no wonder grace is an important word and
one that Paul desires to be experienced by all. It is a fountain
from which we must all drink deeply, but it is one that runs
counter to our own natural tendencies. Rather than drink from
Gods fountain, we tend to build our own broken cisterns.
Jeremiah 2:13 For My people have committed two evils: They
have forsaken Me, The fountain of living waters, to hew for
themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns, That can hold no water.
We all have different views of the world we live in. It is our
view point that colours what we do and why we do it in a
particular way. But we must never forget that what we do
will affect others in ways that we cannot foresee. Nothing
we do is in isolation other people are always involved in
one way or another. Ethical life is the Idea of freedom in
that on the one hand it is the good become alive the
good endowed in self-consciousness with knowing and
willing and actualized by self-conscious action while on
the other hand self-consciousness has in the ethical realm
its absolute foundation and the end which actuates its
effort. Thus ethical life is the concept of freedom developed
into the existing world and the nature of self-
consciousness. Since this unity of the concept of the will
with its embodiment for example: the particular will is
knowing, consciousness of the distinction between these
two moments of the Idea is present, but present in such a
way that now each of these moments is in its own eyes the
totality of the Idea and has that totality as its foundation
and content.

4. Considering our current social landscape how does one live through:
Christian Ethics is not born from a system of commandments, but rather
 St. Paul University Philippines
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500

is the consequence of our friendship with Christ. This friendship

influences life: if it is true, it incarnates and fulfils itself in love for
neighbour. Benedict XV
- What Pope Benedict XV said is very true. A true follower of Jesus
unavoidably reflects the consequence of his friendship with
Christ because when people interact with you, can they see the
connection between you and Christ. A true follower of Jesus will
do what Jesus will do; the love of Christ will naturally flow
through him or her. To be more concrete, the consequence of our
friendship with Christ is to reveal joy, peace and love in our daily
lives, to bring faith, hope and love to others. The person lives a
good, peaceful and loving life and brings encouragement and
compassion to others even in his own suffering. When we offer
up our own bodies on the altar as living sacrifice, we live not by
ourselves any more but Christ is living within us. We live, move
and have our being in Christ. That is what the Holy Father
talking about, I believe. Such a life is the best life one can live.
There is total freedom in this status because we allow Christ
freely take over our lives without limiting Him in any area.