Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………1
Summary……………………………………..…………………………………………………1
Aplication……………………………….....................................................................................3
Chapter One……………………………………………………………………………..3
Chapter Two……………………………………………………………………………..3
Chapter Three…………..………………………………………………………………..4
Chapter Four……………………………………………………………………………..4
Chapter Five……………………………………………………………………………..5
Chapter Six..……………………………………………………………………………..5
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………….…………....6
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1
Introduction
The theological metanarrative of Paul's thought in his letter to the church can be divided
into categories: Christology, Soteriology, and Eschatology. His letter to the Galatians also sees it
as a narrative of freedom and grace. Paul emphasizes the centrality of Christ's work on the cross
for the believer's justification and salvation. He argues against the necessity of following the
Mosaic Law for salvation, asserting that it is through faith in Christ that one is made right with
God. This letter addresses a major theological problem affecting the Galatia church. (The early
church community). Paul's theological metanarrative in Galatians also addresses the concept of
freedom from the law and sin. He emphasizes that believers are no longer slaves to the law but
are set free to live by the Spirit. This freedom is not a license to indulge in sinful behavior but
rather an empowerment to live a life pleasing to God.
Summary
Paul's emphasis on unity in Christ, regardless of social or religious distinctions, adds
another layer to the theological metanarrative of Galatians. He presents a vision of the early
church where all believers are one in Christ, breaking down barriers and emphasizing the
gospel's transformative power. These are just a few aspects of the rich theological metanarrative
in Paul's letter to the Galatians. According to Dr. Robert Wayne Stacy said, “Paul was a careful
thinker.”1 It's truly a profound and thought-provoking exploration of Christian theology. Dr. Paul
concluded his emphases on the grace of God and emphasized the importance of justification by
faith alone. He formed a core of Soteriology; however, the center of Paul’s thought and
understanding was based on Christ, his life, and his work.
1 Robert, Wayne Stacy, “The theological Metanarrative of Paul’s Thoughts” (Video lecture in NBST 510)
Accessed July 16, 2022, 0:44, https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/643404/pages/watch-the-theological-metanarrative-
of-pauls-thought?module_item_id=67182010
2
Paul’s metanarrative emphasizes the importance of justification by faith instead of
relying on works. When Paul encountered Jesus, he understood the power of the Master and
what it represented to be called personally by him. Although Paul was Jewish, he highlighted
that justification was not through observing the law, and freedom came from faith in Jesus. The
letter to the Galatians underscores the central role of grace and faith in the Christian life,
emphasizing that salvation is a gift from God received through faith rather than earned through
human effort.
The letter to the church in Galatians is a crucial text in the New Testament that sheds
light on the early Christian community's beliefs and practices. Paul, the author of this letter,
presents a metanarrative that emphasizes the centrality of Christ in the Christian faith. As Dr.
Stacy said, “Paul wrote his letters accordingly.”2 This metanarrative summarizes Paul's thought
in his letter to the Galatians through the lens of Christology, exploring how he articulates the
significance of Jesus Christ in the salvation narrative.
Paul begins his letter to the Galatians by asserting his authority as an apostle appointed
by Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that his gospel is not of human origin but is revealed to him
through a direct encounter with Christ. As Dr. Stacy Stated, “by metanarrative story, it is the
biggest story behind the one that is being told.”3
This Christological foundation underscores the divine source of Paul's message. It sets
the stage for his arguments against the Judaizers who seek to impose circumcision and adherence
to the Mosaic law on Gentile believers.
2Robert Stacy Wayne Robert “Paul’s Letter Writing Ministry” (NBST 520 Class Video from Liberty)
University, Lynchburg, VA Accessed June 4, 2024. 0:03, https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/643404/pages/watch-
pauls-letter-writing-ministry?module_item_id=67182017
3Robert Stacy Wayne Robert, “The theological Metanarrative of Paul’s Thoughts” (Video lecture in
NBST 510) Accessed July 16, 2022, 01:34., https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/643404/pages/watch-the-theological-
metanarrative-of-pauls-thought?module_item_id=67182010
3
Application
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul articulates Christology, highlighting the redemptive
work of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that through Christ's death and resurrection, believers are
set free from the bondage of sin and the curse of the law. Paul's understanding of Christ as the
ultimate sacrifice for sin reflects his profound theological reflection on the implications of Jesus'
atoning work for the salvation of humanity. Paul presents Christ as the focal point of God's plan
of redemption. Paul's letter to the church in Galatians presents a metanarrative of Christ's
redemptive work that shapes his theological reflection on salvation, justification, and the unity of
believers in Christ.
Chapter One:
In this section, Paul cites that he is an Apostle called by God through Jesus. His encounter with
Peter emphasizes Christology as a theological concept that only shows justification in Christ and
by faith. And the effort will not save.
Chapter Two:
In this section, Paul refers to cites where he has been, the people he connects with, and
the freedom he received through Jesus Christ. The circumcision cited by Paul was a reminder
that grace is a gift from God and not an exchange of rituals. Grace is an undeserved favor to have
a gifted life full of purpose. Paul’s theology is Christ’s authorized extension of the gospel of
salvation for Jews and Gentiles alike,4 and he continues to emphasize Christology.
Chapter Three:
4Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and
Theological Survey, 3rd ed., (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 240.
4
In this session, Paul addresses the Galatian believers, reminding them of the centrality of
faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation. He begins by rebuking the Galatians for being
bewitched by those who advocate for following the law for justification. Paul emphasizes that
they received the Spirit and experienced miracles not by works of the law but through faith. Paul
then uses the example of Abraham to illustrate that righteousness comes through faith. Paul
contrasts the law, which brings a curse for not perfectly following it, with faith in Christ, which
brings freedom and the promise of Abraham to all nations.
Chapter Four:
In this session, Paul continues to address the Galatian believers, using the analogy of an
heir under guardians and managers until the time set by his father. He explains that before
Christ came, humanity was under the guardianship of the law, but now, through faith in
Jesus, believers are adopted as sons and daughters of God and heirs to His promises. Paul urges
the Galatians not to return to their former ways of observing religious rituals and customs,
emphasizing that they are now free from bondage to the law. As Luke Timothy Johnson wrote,
“Scholars who select Romans and Galatians as the essential Paul, especially when they read from
a Lutheran perspective, have found Paul’s struggle with the law and the theme of
righteousness.”5
Chapter Five:
Paul emphasizes the importance of freedom in Christ and the need for believers to
stand firm in their faith. He begins by stressing that Christ has set believers free, and they should
not submit again to the yoke of slavery, referring to the obligations of the law. Paul contrasts the
5Luke Timothy Johnson, “The Paul of the Letters: A Catholic Perspective,” in Four Views on the Apostle
Paul, ed. Stanley N. Gundry and Michael F. Bird, Zondervan Counterpoints Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
2012), 71.
5
works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit, highlighting the importance of living a life guided
by the Spirit. He lists various works of the flesh, such as idolatry, hatred, jealousy, and impurity,
cautioning believers against indulging in such behaviors. On the other hand, he outlines the fruit
of the Spirit, encouraging believers to cultivate these qualities in their lives. The apostle
emphasizes that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
and should live by the Spirit.
Chapter Six:
Paul continues to address the Galatian Christians about living by the Spirit and not by the
flesh. Paul encourages the Galatians to help one another in their spiritual journey and to bear
each other's burdens. He emphasizes the importance of supporting and caring for fellow
believers. He discusses the principle of sowing and reaping, both spiritually and practically, and
also emphasizes the importance of doing good to all people, especially to fellow believers. He
encourages the Galatians not to grow weary in doing good, for they will reap a harvest if they do
not give up, concluding the chapter by stating that he will boast only in the cross of Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to him, and he to the world. He emphasizes that
circumcision or uncircumcision doesn't matter, but what counts is being a new creation in Christ.
6
Bibliography
Elwell, Walter A., and Robert W. Yarbrough.Encountering the New Testament, a Historical and
Theological Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academics, 2013.
Johnson, Timothy Luke, The Paul of the Letters: A Catholic Perspective, in Four Views
on the Apostle Paul, ed. Stanley N. Gundry and Michael F. Bird, Zondervan
Counterpoints Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 71.
Stacy, Wayne Robert “Paul’s Letter Writing Ministry” (NBST 520 Class Video from Liberty)
University, Lynchburg, VA Accessed June 4, 2024.
Stacy, Wayne Robert, “The theological Metanarrative of Paul’s Thoughts” (Video lecture
in NBST 510) Accessed July 16, 2022.
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/643404/pages/watch-the-theological-metanarrative-of-
pauls-thought?module_item_id=67182010
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