The Prison Epistles
Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, written in the crucible of Paul’s captivity, exemplify prayerful, pastoral leadership practices. We discern how collective practices of praise and thanksgiving lead to intercession, deferential love, collective discernment, and various forms of spiritual giftedness mutually build up a community of faith based on the supremacy of Christ.
Paul’s suffering reveals deep places in his devotional heart. His sacrificial life, joy amidst criticism, sense of gain in loss, peace in all circumstances, his purity, love for unity, his capacity to withstand spiritual opposition—all embody the character of Jesus. Read devotionally, the prison letters offer us an invaluable opportunity to develop the mind of Christ, who took on the form of a servant before he was exalted to the highest place.
Such insights into leadership and devotional character, of course, arise out of our gracious participation in Christ’s death and exaltation. It is in the prison letters, particularly Ephesians and Colossians, where Paul ascends with Jesus into the heavens, revealing how every spiritual blessing comes to us through our mysterious, heavenly union in him. It is in the prison epistles that Pauline thought ascends to the highest place.
This 14-week course focuses on the importance of the cross and the ascension as gospel realities, the development of devotional character, and leadership practices.