Paul and the Psalms: Paul's hermeneutic and worldview

Gibb, Iain (2017) Paul and the Psalms: Paul's hermeneutic and worldview. MTh(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Printed Thesis Information: https://eleanor.lib.gla.ac.uk/record=b3312990

Abstract

This research examines the role of the Psalms in the development of Paul’s understanding. There were many worldviews in Paul’s day, but Paul draws his inspiration from the ancient Hebrew Scriptures, which he states were “written down for our instruction”. Three citations from the Psalms are examined in detail. In each of these cases, it becomes clear that their full contribution to Paul’s argument is only obtained by viewing the quotation in the context of the whole Psalm, and its place in the Psalter.
This is followed by looking at Paul’s references to the Psalms in three critical aspects of the Christian worldview: Christology, soteriology and ecclesiology. In common with other New Testament writers, Psalm 110 is applied to Christ, but so are many other Psalms, where the referent in the original was to God. The righteousness of God and the power of God for salvation celebrated in the Psalms are proclaimed to all nations in the gospel. The hope of the Psalmists that all peoples will worship the God of Israel becomes a reality, when Jew and Gentile become one, in Christ Jesus.
In one context, when citing a Psalm, Paul claims to have the same spirit of faith. There is a clear case for saying that that attitude infuses all his references to the Psalms, and that the Psalms have informed his worldview. In this, Paul is a model for Christian believers everywhere.

Item Type: Thesis (MTh(R))
Qualification Level: Masters
Additional Information: Edinburgh Theological Seminary.
Keywords: Paul, Psalms, hermeneutic, worldview, Christology, soteriology, ecclesiology.
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BS The Bible
Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
Supervisor's Name: MacLeod, Professor John Angus
Date of Award: 2017
Depositing User: Mr Iain Gibb
Unique ID: glathesis:2017-8599
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 01 Jun 2018 13:19
Last Modified: 19 Jun 2018 13:53
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8599

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