Word Count: 525
1. Itemize four main principles of giving that Paul enunciates in 2 Cor. 8:1-15?
The principles that Paul enunciates are for giving are: (1) it should be sacrificial. Paul contrasts them to the Macedonian church—which gave even in extreme poverty, (2) Christians should surrender even themselves as a gift to God, (3) giving should be done with sincerity and gladness, and (4) giving ought to be proportionate to ones blessings. Those with excess should give more and in proportion to their wealth. In any case, giving should be sacrificial and prioritized.
2. Describe Paul’s strategy of boasting in 2 Cor. 10-13, in order to counteract the false apostles who have infiltrated the Corinthian church.
Here Paul critiques the “super-apostles” boastful attitude pointing out the illegitimacy of their claims. He then boasts of his own credentials in exquisite sarcastic mode, but spends most of his time “boasting” …show more content…
The opposite pole of this attitude is also very dangerous: defeatism, not having enough trust that the Lord has conquered and will accomplish his perfect purposes in his people. Forms of triumphalism are more prevalent in north-America in the word-off-faith movement, in some areas of the charismatic church, in the name-it-claim-it theology and other prosperity-gospel variants. Materialism has also infected the church, and this has caused spiritual stagnation. There is also a postmillennial view that advocates that evangelism and missions are not needed due to the “Christianization” of many parts of the glove. We see counseling therapies, how-to books and self-help books that “guarantee” success in Christian living. Lastly, there is the myth that graduates from seminary will have a better chance of success in church