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Early History of Reception of The Apostle Paul's To Romans 13
Early History of Reception of The Apostle Paul's To Romans 13
Early History of Reception of The Apostle Paul's To Romans 13
Abstract
Understanding happens within the course of history and is made concrete within
particular discourses. This insight into the structure of understanding is largely
indebted to Gadamer’s hermeneutical philosophy and was methodologically
worked out by Jauss’ aesthetics of reception. Concepts such as Wirkungs-
geschichte and Rezeptionsgeschichte, account for the way in which understanding
is embedded in texts, contexts, traditions which are appropriated in the life-world
of historically conditioned readers and users. Any discussion on the meaning of
responsibility must consider its history as portrayed in the texts where it features
as subject-matter. The concept of responsibility will be discussed here within the
particular case of the issue of political responsibility as featured in the early
reception of Paul’s paraenesis to the Romans.
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a) 1 Peter 2.13-17
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that Polycarp did meet the Apostles and first believers. Hence
his teaching is in direct line with what the Apostles taught.
And Polycarp said: “you, I should have held worthy of discussion, for we
have been taught to render honour, as is meet, if it hurt us not, to
princes and authorities appointed by God. But as for those, I do not count
them worthy that a defence should made to them” (Lake 1917, X, 327).
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derived. He also believed that sin was the actual reason why
civil authorities were instituted. They in turn are held
accountable to God by means of the law.
For Ambrosiaster, law plays a crucial role in the way that God
deals with human beings. It is worthwhile to notice the more
elaborate distinctions offered in his reception. First,
Ambrosiaster sustained that there is a correspondence between
divine law and natural law based on the fact that human being
was made into the image of God. For Ambrosiaster, the fact
that we have been made into God’s image allows kings to
administer God’s law on earth. Kings take over from Adam the
duty he once had of representing God on earth before the Fall.
Afterwards, the natural law was forgotten. God had to remind
human beings of it and revealed it to Moses. However, because
pagans and Jews were not able to keep it, God had to send
Jesus Christ his Son to restore it. That is to his mind the
essence of the Gospel. If we fulfil the demands of the Gospel, we
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Conclusion
NOTES
1
Concerning recognition of authority, Gadamer opposes it to blind obedience.
(Gadamer 1976, 33).
2
Paraenesis is a Greek term meaning exhortation or advice.
3
Although the Gnostic reception might be considered as far-fetched, celebrated
twentieth-century theologians resorted to it by proposing a similar view
portraying evil spirits as standing behind political powers. These powers
experience a sort of temporary release until they are fully overcome by Christ.
Among the proponents of this theory are Oscar Cullman and early Karl Barth.
REFERENCES
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Address:
Victor Manuel MORALES
Universität Paderborn
Fakultät für Kulturwissenschaft
Warburger Str. 100
33098 Paderborn
Germany
Email: vicmanmv@mail.uni-paderborn.de
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