OBC-PHIL-Intro & Syllabus          OBC-PHL-FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

Answer these for an additional ten percent added on to your grade and a . . .

. . .""

 [Put on your thinking caps and let me see your thoughts on these four issues] 

1.   Think about the expressions of "joy" in this epistle in contrast to the undercurrent of trouble between Euodias and Syntyche. Now please comment on the following: 

       a. The influence the desire for joy would have on the relationship between these two women.

       b. The effect of their problem on the entire congregation.

       c. The influence that the desire for joy in the church should have over how the church dealt with their problem.

       d. What lesson may we learn from the fact that Paul overwhelmed the problem between these two sisters with talk of joy?  

2.   Discuss the command for us to have the mind of Christ (2:5) in light of the extent of the sacrifice of Christ for us.

3.   In Paul's statement (3:13) that he was "forgetting those things that were behind" (meaning his life under Judaism), does this mean the Christian can forget all about sin in his life and go on because God says, "Our sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Jer.31:34; Heb. 8:12)? Explain how God can do this and under what conditions. 

4.   Is our being at peace with God a guarantee that God is at peace with us? What is it that makes God at peace with us?

Which is more important, that we be at peace with God or that God be at peace with us?