Lesson 5: The Spirit in Paul
I am trying to develop an understanding of spirituality that makes sense in the 21st century. I started by examining what the Bible has to say. When I reached the New Testament, I found that Luke-Acts, John, and Paul make a significant point about Jesus’ resurrection, releasing the Holy Spirit in a new way.
Paul refers to the Spirit in so many different circumstances that it’s hard to grasp a basic meaning. I find some coherence by examining the three places where he elaborates at length: Romans 8, Galatians 5, and I Corinthians 12–14. Let me offer a quick modern summary of all three.
Romans 8 indicates Jesus’ Spirit starts a new community based on an unconditional, intimate love established between God and believers. This frees us from selfish ways of living together and the fear that goes with them. The Spirit makes up for our weaknesses, intervenes on our behalf for our sins, and guides us to peace. It means some suffering now as the powerful resist, but we should regard this as birth pains that lead to a better life for us and a better world for everyone.
Galatians 5 also speaks of life in the Spirit as freeing us to truly love one another. It lists the fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I Corinthians 12-14 talks about different spiritual gifts given individuals to be used in cooperation to build up the community. A shared love establishes a unity in the Church that will spread to the whole society.
Although it is not specifically mentioned in these passages, Paul continually speaks of God’s forgiveness manifested in Jesus’ crucifixion as the foundation of this spiritual life. The new beginning is based on God freeing us from the sins of the past. We, in turn, forgive one another.
Paul would say to be spiritual is to participate in the movement God initiated in Jesus’ resurrection. It offers the freedom to live by love rather than Law.
The open question is whether this way of life requires belief in a transcendent God, and whether that belief necessarily entails worship within a Christian congregation. Paul would almost certainly say yes to both. Many people today would say no—that they can practice the fruits of the Spirit without worship or shared belief. That tension feels worth taking seriously. I think I’m ready to begin that conversation next week.
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Thanks Fritz
Taking ‘The open question is whether this way of life requires belief in a transcendent God, and whether that belief necessarily entails worship within a Christian congregation.’
Fritz are you saying this also requires a belief in a substitutionary sacrifice? The last one is hard to accept these days (for me)
Thanks ciao paul