RESPOND TO - TWO DISCUSSION BOARDS

What was the stated purpose of the book Paul's Spirituality in Galatians?

The author of the book Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians, Dr. Adam McClendon, is about the Letter to the Galatians, focusing on Christian spirituality's origin. McClendon accurately presents “…applying a particular passage of Scripture as a corrective guide to governing aspects of Christian spirituality.” The author pleads his case through exploring Galatians 2:20. It is implied that “Christian spirituality should be rooted in God’s Word.”[footnoteRef:2] The question that comes to mind is how do we live out our faith when tradition, cultural influence, and even interest dictate life? There is no purpose in living with any other standard apart from God's word and submission to the Holy Spirit. [2: Adam P. McClendon, Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians: A Critique of Contemporary Christian Spiritualities. Eugene, Oregon.: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015. ]

What chapter did you select and read?

I selected to read chapter three of the book, where McClendon focuses on Galatians 20:2, "And the life I now live in the flesh." The spiritual life is identified as "one of tension."[footnoteRef:3] Chapter three explains reconciliation with Christ in His death presents a new character within our lives. The book writer states that when someone accepts Christ as their savior, that person becomes a new creature. Pertaining to the spiritual life, McClendon presents the importance of living out “the various passages that demonstrate the believer’s lifelong need to resist fleshly desires.”[footnoteRef:4] [3: Ibid., 75. ] [4: Ibid., 94-97.]

Did that chapter accomplish the intended purpose of the book? In what ways was the purpose of the book evident or not evident in the chapter you read?

McClendon definitely succeeds in accomplishing the book's intent by backing it up with supporting scriptures of each point presented surrounding Christian spiritualities.

Ultimately, the person who receives Christ as their savior must choose between the spirit's presence and the desire of flesh? According to Apostle Paul, walking in the spirit is the solution to avoid walking the flesh. Since there is an acknowledgment of Jesus' death and resurrection and the burial, then there is a growth of God's knowledge while developing his or her maturity. The author in this chapter indicates that spiritual life has links to sanctity. "Believers are fully equipped by the presence of the Spirit of Christ for the spiritual… They no longer have to give in to sinful temptation, although experience reveals they often do."[footnoteRef:5] [5: Ibid., 84.]

In what ways did interacting with alternative viewpoints help strengthen or weaken the argument being made? (Give a specific example from the chapter where interaction was made with an alternate viewpoint.)

Also, there is a segment of the Protestant Church challenge brought by Christendom spirituality of the Apostle Paul's intense vision; this is identified as "entire sanctification," "perfect love," "heart purity," and "Christian love." "In essence, assurance that one can grasp a level of absolute committal to Christ by the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit through the operation of the second work of grace wherein we live out love." McClendon discredits Christian spiritually due to its misunderstanding of "now" and "not yet" as far as spiritual life is concerned. People do not understand the bible's passage of dealing with flesh.

Bibliography

McClendon, P. A. Paul’s Spirituality in Galatians: A Critique of Contemporary Christian Spiritualities. Eugene, Oregon.: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2015.