St. Paul’s Preaching

S obzirom da je do izvornih Pavlovih propovijedi, osim onih u Djelima apostolskima koje su plod Lukine elaboracije, moguće ići jedino rekonstruiranjem iz njegovih poslanica, ovo izlaganje, pastoralnoga usmjerenja, promatra istaknute momente Pavlove teološko-pastoralne misli na kojima počiva njegovo apostolsko djelovanje, a koje on sam naziva - propovijedanje. Kao prva oznaka njegova propovijedanja istaknuta je činjenica da Pavao nastoji što je moguće manje opterećivati svoj auditorij, tj. crkvenu zajednicu. Ovo se ogleda u njegovu zauzimanju da se obraćenicima iz poganstva ne nameće jaram židovskoga Zakona, nego da im je za ulaz u Crkvu dovoljno krštenje. Druga oznaka Pavlova stava jest nepopustljivost kada su u pitanju bitni elementi kršćanskoga života od kojih on ne odstupa ni po koju cijenu. Najbolja ilustracija jest ozbiljnost kojom shvaća i izlaže otajstvo krštenja i njegove učinke na krštenika u Rim 6-8: kršćaninov život stalni je hod u novini Duha ili ga nema! Iz ovoga, sasvim prirodno, proizlazi sljedeća oznaka Pavlova propovijedanja evanđelja: naglasak na moralnomu životu. Beskompromisno prokazujući i kritizirajući nedovoljne, življene moralne standarde u pojedinoj crkvenoj zajednici, on pokazuje Crkvu, u krajnjoj liniji, novom kozmičkom stvarnošću koja nužno zahtijeva i novi život članova zajednice. Ovako promatrano, Pavlovo propovijedanje manifestira dinamičku napetost kojom crkvene zajednice kojima se obraća želi povesti prema punini njihova određenja. Time, gledajući u pastoralnoj perspektivi, sam život zajednice postaje pouka onima koji je sa strane promatraju i svjedočanstvo novopridošlim članovima.As the only possibility to get to the original sermons by St. Paul (except for those from ACT, which are a result of St. Luke’s elaboration) is the reconstruction based on his epistles, this article, of pastoral orientation, examines the prominent moments of St. Paul’s theological-pastoral thought, the foundation of his apostolic activities which he called preaching. The first characteristic of his preaching is the well-known fact tat St. Paul tried to avoid burdening his audience, i.e. Church community as hard as he could. This is reflected in his endeavour to excuse the converts from paganism from the burden of the Jewish Law; it was sufficient for them to be baptized to be allowed to enter the Church. The second feature of St. Paul’s position was his inflexibility when it came to the basic elements of the Christian life, which were to be respected unconditionally. The best illustration is seriousness with which he apprehends and depicts the mystery of christening and its impact on the christened: ROM: 6-8: life of the Christian is a continuous pace in the novelty of the Spirit or there is no life! This brings us to the next characteristic of St. Paul’s preaching of the Gospel: emphasis on moral life. Uncompromisingly denouncing and criticizing the inadequate moral standards in particular Church communities, he depicts the Church as a new cosmic reality which inevitably obliges the members of the community to the new life. Seen from this point of view, St. Paul’s preaching manifests dynamic tension by which he wants to lead the Church communities he addresses to the fullness of their purpose. Thus, from the pastoral perspective, the very life of the community becomes a moral for the bystanders and the testimony to the new members