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Paul’s Theological Beliefs

We have already mentioned the difficulties with determining Paul’s theology on any given religious question. These questions arise with more force when we try to determine Paul’s “theological anthropology,” or his religious beliefs about humanity. Some scholars argue that discerning Paul’s anthropology is impossible, while others, like Rudolph Bultmann, maintain that it is the center of his theology. Regardless of which is the case, the occasional nature of Paul's letters keeps him from laying out his theological beliefs about humanity in a systematic and clear fashion.

Another problem in determining Paul’s anthropology is that he uses a number of terms to speak about human beings, and he uses each term differently when he uses them in different contexts.

Paul on Humanity

What terms and ideas does Paul use to discuss humanity, when the occasion demands it? In terms of the material aspect of human beings, Paul refers to the “body” (soma), “flesh” (sarx), and “outer person” (exo anthropos). The infrequent “outer person” typically is contrasted with the inner, immaterial aspect of human beings. Paul variously uses “body” to refer to: the physical body, present bodily existence in this world, aspects of human relationships both sexual and with God and Christ, the Church as the “Body of Christ,” and the resurrection. He uses “flesh” to refer to: the physical body,1 the present bodily existence in this world,2 humanity in general,3 physical descendants,4 and an apocalyptic evil cosmic force—or better realm—operative in the present evil age, enslaving human beings, in contrast to and at war with the realm of the Spirit.5

Paul on Humanity

What terms and ideas does Paul use to discuss humanity, when the occasion demands it? In terms of the material aspect of human beings, Paul refers to the “body” (soma), “flesh” (sarx), and “outer person” (exo anthropos). The infrequent “outer person” typically is contrasted with the inner, immaterial aspect of human beings. Paul variously uses “body” to refer to: the physical body, present bodily existence in this world, aspects of human relationships both sexual and with God and Christ, the Church as the “Body of Christ,” and the resurrection. He uses “flesh” to refer to: the physical body,1 the present bodily existence in this world,2 humanity in general,3 physical descendants,4 and an apocalyptic evil cosmic force—or better realm—operative in the present evil age, enslaving human beings, in contrast to and at war with the realm of the Spirit.5

Paul on Humanity

What terms and ideas does Paul use to discuss humanity, when the occasion demands it? In terms of the material aspect of human beings, Paul refers to the “body” (soma), “flesh” (sarx), and “outer person” (exo anthropos). The infrequent “outer person” typically is contrasted with the inner, immaterial aspect of human beings. Paul variously uses “body” to refer to: the physical body, present bodily existence in this world, aspects of human relationships both sexual and with God and Christ, the Church as the “Body of Christ,” and the resurrection. He uses “flesh” to refer to: the physical body,1 the present bodily existence in this world,2 humanity in general,3 physical descendants,4 and an apocalyptic evil cosmic force—or better realm—operative in the present evil age, enslaving human beings, in contrast to and at war with the realm of the Spirit.5

Paul on Humanity

What terms and ideas does Paul use to discuss humanity, when the occasion demands it? In terms of the material aspect of human beings, Paul refers to the “body” (soma), “flesh” (sarx), and “outer person” (exo anthropos). The infrequent “outer person” typically is contrasted with the inner, immaterial aspect of human beings. Paul variously uses “body” to refer to: the physical body, present bodily existence in this world, aspects of human relationships both sexual and with God and Christ, the Church as the “Body of Christ,” and the resurrection. He uses “flesh” to refer to: the physical body,1 the present bodily existence in this world,2 humanity in general,3 physical descendants,4 and an apocalyptic evil cosmic force—or better realm—operative in the present evil age, enslaving human beings, in contrast to and at war with the realm of the Spirit.5

Paul on Humanity

What terms and ideas does Paul use to discuss humanity, when the occasion demands it? In terms of the material aspect of human beings, Paul refers to the “body” (soma), “flesh” (sarx), and “outer person” (exo anthropos). The infrequent “outer person” typically is contrasted with the inner, immaterial aspect of human beings. Paul variously uses “body” to refer to: the physical body, present bodily existence in this world, aspects of human relationships both sexual and with God and Christ, the Church as the “Body of Christ,” and the resurrection. He uses “flesh” to refer to: the physical body,1 the present bodily existence in this world,2 humanity in general,3 physical descendants,4 and an apocalyptic evil cosmic force—or better realm—operative in the present evil age, enslaving human beings, in contrast to and at war with the realm of the Spirit.5

Paul on Humanity

What terms and ideas does Paul use to discuss humanity, when the occasion demands it? In terms of the material aspect of human beings, Paul refers to the “body” (soma), “flesh” (sarx), and “outer person” (exo anthropos). The infrequent “outer person” typically is contrasted with the inner, immaterial aspect of human beings. Paul variously uses “body” to refer to: the physical body, present bodily existence in this world, aspects of human relationships both sexual and with God and Christ, the Church as the “Body of Christ,” and the resurrection. He uses “flesh” to refer to: the physical body,1 the present bodily existence in this world,2 humanity in general,3 physical descendants,4 and an apocalyptic evil cosmic force—or better realm—operative in the present evil age, enslaving human beings, in contrast to and at war with the realm of the Spirit.5