Galatians- An Introduction

 Our next reading will be the Letter to the Galatians. We begin this on Tuesday, January 26 (tomorrow). 

Paul's letter to the Galatians is sometimes called "Paul's angry letter" and it is the only letter that does not start with words of thanksgiving and praise to the people he is writing to! He begins with his customary introduction, but then starts slamming them for their deserting God and the Gospel! It will be an interesting read for us-- and brief (only 6 chapters).

Paul, also known by his Hebrew name Saul of Tarsus, is probably the most well not "apostle" of Jesus (although not in the original 12) because of his spreading of the gospel message to the world. He established many Christian churches from mid-30s to late-50s. In an ironic twist of fate (you all probably know the story) Saul had a primary goal of persecution of Christ's followers. Saul was walking to Damascus to go after some Christians, and had a "chance" (?) meeting with the ascended Jesus (Acts 9), was blinded for three days, and his vision restored by Ananias of Damascus. He then converted to following Christ. Paul is credited with half of the new testament books (14 of 27). He is the undisputed author of some of the epistles, and some are assumed to be written by his disciples (a common practice).

The churches Paul write to were located in a Roman occupied area of modern day Turkey (right map) called Galatia (left map); the "Galatians" were those people that were descendants of Celtic tribes, and they lived primarily in the northern area of Galatia. 

Historians are not exactly sure of the date of the letter, but it is estimated around 48AD (Paul wold have been in Antioch at that time). Keep in mind that the gospels were written in the mid-60s to 90 AD (Mark, the gospel we just read was written around 65-70AD), so this letter (as do all the epistles, I think) pre-dates the gospels. They are not sure of the exact audience either-- is it the northern territory or all of Galatia? It is known that these people Paul writes to are Gentiles converted to Christianity by Paul (a few years prior to the writing of the letter), but then began to sway away from the fundamentals that Paul taught them: justification by faith alone, no need for circumcision, the authority of Christ, stop self- indulgence, become servant to all, plus a few others.

Interesting side note: I am taking a class on the Reformation in Europe (Luther, Calvin, Zwingli). This letter and the letter to the Romans are key to some of the doctrinal controversies that "caused" the split to Protestantism.

I look forward to reading this letter with you and discussing Paul's thoughts.