Impact of Synoptic Problem and Paul's Theology on Academic Formation

This essay explores key aspects of New Testament theology, focusing on the Synoptic Problem, the conversion of Saul (Paul), and Paul's theological development following his Damascus Road experience. The Synoptic Problem, concerning the literary relationships between the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, highlights different accounts of Jesus' life. The essay then discusses Saul's dramatic conversion, emphasizing its significance as a testament to Jesus' power and influence. Finally, it examines Paul's transformed theology after his Damascus Road experience, noting his shift from a strict Jewish perspective to a belief in Jesus as the Messiah and the ineffectiveness of the Law for righteousness. Desklib offers this and other solved assignments for students.

Running head: NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
New Testament Theology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
This paper sets the tone for presenting the impact of three topics on the academic
formation. These three topics are the Synoptic Problem, the Conversion of Saul and Paul’s
Theology After His Damascus Road Experience. These three things should be discussed in this
paper to address the topics.1
The Synoptic Problem
The Synoptic Problem is regarded as one of the most intrinsic issues in the New
Testament. It has been mentioned in the Gospels. Jesus Christ is believed to be the chief
protagonist of this entire Testament. It is a continuous matter of discussion that Jesus Christ has
four different accounts of life.2 The Gospels in which this problem has been discussed are the
Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. All the three gospels present three different accounts of the
life of Jesus and this tends to create a huge problem. These accounts can be set over one another
and this might have a proper relationship between them. Thus the readers can grab a synoptic
overview about this matter indeed. This is why these three views have come to be known as the
Synoptic gospels.3
It can be said that the Gospel of John is completely different from that of the other
Gospels. This problem is about the literary relationship between the first three Gospels on the life
of Jesus Christ. This is called the synoptic problem because they are to be seen together indeed.
This signifies the direct literary dependence on each other. Some exclusive differences have been
noted in these Gospels as well. This has a very strong impact on my academic information. I
1 M. J. J Menken and Steve Moyise, Genesis In The New Testament (London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2012).
2 Ladd, George E. A Theology of the New Testament (Revised Edition). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company. 1993
3 Dennis Ronald MacDonald, Two Shipwrecked Gospels (Boston: Brill, 2012).

2NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
have learnt that the literary relationship between the three Gospels has been extremely intrinsic
and the life of Jesus Christ has been portrayed in various ways.
The Conversion of Saul
The second discussion topic is the Conversion of Saul. Saul has been considered as a very
pivotal character in the Biblical history. The historical record of Luke has suggested that the
Christian people had armed themselves with the arrest warrant for Saul. This is why he had to
escape to Damascus in Syria from Jerusalem.4 It has been mentioned in the New Testament that
as he edged closer to that city, the new lights brighter than the lights of noon had taken over him.
He had heard the voice of Jesus of Nazareth calling out to him twice and asking him he had
continued to persecute him.
However, he could not identify that voice primarily, later he understood that it was the
voice of the Jesus of Nazareth instead. Then Saul entered Damascus where he had been told what
he would do in the next step indeed. He was blinded at this consequence and later got back the
vision in a miraculous manner and saw that Jesus Himself had appeared before him. After this
miraculous event happening to the life of Saul, he had eventually decided to fast and pray for
three days continuously. These days proved to be very much agonizing for him indeed. After this
toiling exercise of fasting and praying, God had sent Ananias to Saul. After Ananias had arrived,
he gave Saul back his lost vision and to arise and go through the baptism process indeed. Thus
his sins could be washed away. After converting to Christianity, Saul had proclaimed to his
fellow Jews that Jesus Christ is the son of God Himself.5 The conversion of Saul has been a very
4 Joshua Bradley Davis and Douglas Karel Harink, Apocalyptic And The Future Of Theology(Eugene (Or.): Cascade
Books, 2012).
5 Skya Abbate, The Catholic Imagination (Eugene, or.: Resource publications, 2012).

3NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY
interesting event described in the New Testament of the Bible. I believe this event has shown the
true power of Jesus Christ and the reason why everyone followed him including the persecutors.
Paul's Theology After His Damascus Road Experience
The theology of Paul would be discussed in this section after the Damascus Road
experience made by him. The world of Paul was like he was a Jew and he was raised in a Jewish
home. He was very proud of his Jewish heritage. He used to study under Gamaliel. At the
beginning he was completely a uncompromising monotheist. He was very familiar with the
concept of a dying and rising God. He was very familiar with the Greek rhetoric and thoughts.
He became very familiar with the cynic and stoic philosophers.6
As Paul had converted into Christianity, his previous thoughts had completely changed.
The Damascus road experience is said to be the central point around which all the theological
perspectives are built. After he went through the Damascus Road Experience, he had believed
that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah for all the people in the world.7 He also believed that Jesus
Christ had identified the persecuted people all along. He evaluated the fact that righteousness of
the Law had no effect indeed. Finally he came to the conclusion that Judaism had been wrong
about the thoughts on righteousness. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ had taken place and Jesus
Christ, the Messiah had begun His reign. The Holy Spirit had already taken over in this contest. I
believe the impact of this Damascus Road Experience has been a very significant turn in the life
of Paul. We learn a lot about the theology in which Paul believed in. His change of belief has
been a major part as well. The belief that Jesus is the son of God has been stressed in this section
of New Testament.
6 Charles B Puskas, Introduction To The New Testament (Oakville: David Brown Book, 2012).
7 Skya Abbate, The Catholic Imagination (Eugene, or.: Resource publications, 2012).

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References
Abbate, Skya. The Catholic Imagination. Eugene, or.: Resource publications, 2012.
Davis, Joshua Bradley, and Douglas Karel Harink. Apocalyptic And The Future Of Theology.
Eugene (Or.): Cascade Books, 2012.
Ladd, George E. A Theology of the New Testament (Revised Edition). Grand Rapids: William
B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1993
MacDonald, Dennis Ronald. Two Shipwrecked Gospels. Boston: Brill, 2012.
Menken, M. J. J, and Steve Moyise. Genesis In The New Testament. London: Bloomsbury T & T
Clark, 2012.
Puskas, Charles B. Introduction To The New Testament. Oakville: David Brown Book, 2012.