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.

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