Larry M.
The third letter to the Corinthians is a response from Paul regarding a letter from the Corinthians stating their concerns about Simon and Cleobius who taught Gnostic ideas. These ideas deny God’s power and Jesus’ resurrection. Their letter asks Paul for his advice regarding these teachings. Paul reaffirms the true teaching of the resurrection of Christ and his divine birth. Paul’s epistle proceeds to remind the Corinthians that satan desired to be God but God sent his spirit into Mary so that satan would be defeated and know that he is not God. Paul comforts the Corinthians by confidently stating the truth of resurrection by using the parable of the seeds and the story of Jonah swallowed by the whale. Paul closes the letter with encouraging words saying that those who are steadfast in believing in the resurrection shall receive a reward. Paul states a stern difference in beliefs between the Corinthians and those with Gnostic beliefs. These writings are typical of proto-orthodoxy, which is also against Gnostic teachings, and creates ways to separate themselves from Gnostic Christians as stated by Lynch. Third Corinthians is a prime example of fundamental differences in beliefs between proto-orthodox Christians and Gnostic Christians.
First Clement begins by addressing the church of Corinth while reminding and commending them on their former obedience to the Lord before their division. In chapter 3, however, Clement speaks of dishonor and an “unholy rivalry” in which the division created. Chapters 42 and 44 tells of a unity of the church as the apostles appointed bishops and deacons in faith but the church of Corinth in its division wrongly removed some honorable people from their positions in ministry. The letter reveals how in past scripture God’s people have never disowned other Godly people, yet this division continues to cause distress as it separates the members of Christ. Clement closes by telling about the disgrace that the Corinthian Church has experienced through this division, which it must end soon for God to be reconciled with them and righteousness to be restored. Clement is very persuasive in arguing for the Church of Corinth to be reinstated by referencing scripture which speaks of the unity of God’s elect and how righteous people have never rivaled other righteous people. Clement’s view of a church’s division is different of the proto-orthodox view. While Clement calls for a unity in the church, proto-orthodox Christians create boundaries between them and other kinds of Christians.
The third letter to the Corinthians is a response from Paul regarding a letter from the Corinthians stating their concerns about Simon and Cleobius who taught Gnostic ideas. These ideas deny God’s power and Jesus’ resurrection. Their letter asks Paul for his advice regarding these teachings. Paul reaffirms the true teaching of the resurrection of Christ and his divine birth. Paul’s epistle proceeds to remind the Corinthians that satan desired to be God but God sent his spirit into Mary so that satan would be defeated and know that he is not God. Paul comforts the Corinthians by confidently stating the truth of resurrection by using the parable of the seeds and the story of Jonah swallowed by the whale. Paul closes the letter with encouraging words saying that those who are steadfast in believing in the resurrection shall receive a reward. Paul states a stern difference in beliefs between the Corinthians and those with Gnostic beliefs. These writings are typical of proto-orthodoxy, which is also against Gnostic teachings, and creates ways to separate themselves from Gnostic Christians as stated by Lynch. Third Corinthians is a prime example of fundamental differences in beliefs between proto-orthodox Christians and Gnostic Christians.
First Clement begins by addressing the church of Corinth while reminding and commending them on their former obedience to the Lord before their division. In chapter 3, however, Clement speaks of dishonor and an “unholy rivalry” in which the division created. Chapters 42 and 44 tells of a unity of the church as the apostles appointed bishops and deacons in faith but the church of Corinth in its division wrongly removed some honorable people from their positions in ministry. The letter reveals how in past scripture God’s people have never disowned other Godly people, yet this division continues to cause distress as it separates the members of Christ. Clement closes by telling about the disgrace that the Corinthian Church has experienced through this division, which it must end soon for God to be reconciled with them and righteousness to be restored. Clement is very persuasive in arguing for the Church of Corinth to be reinstated by referencing scripture which speaks of the unity of God’s elect and how righteous people have never rivaled other righteous people. Clement’s view of a church’s division is different of the proto-orthodox view. While Clement calls for a unity in the church, proto-orthodox Christians create boundaries between them and other kinds of Christians.