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The content on this website is
maintained by Robert
Myallis, pastor at Zion's
Lutheran Church, of Jonestown, PA.
The photos were taken by Emily
Myallis, a diaconal minister in the ELCA who also serves at
Zion's Lutheran.
This website and travel to
Greece was made possible by a grant from the
Fund for Theological Education,
which provides grants to assist the education and formation of
Christian leaders from numerous denominations.
Bible quotes are taken from the New
Revised Standard Version, unless cites otherwise.
The above photo of Greece comes from
NASA; The icon of Saint Paul comes from George Mitrevski's website. |
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Christian
Graves
 In
the Dion Museum are Christian graves stones bearing crosses from the 4th century
AD.
How are these graves significant for understanding the world
of Paul?
Before Christianity became officially sanctioned, one does not
find tombs with crosses on them. Indeed, for early Christians,
the cross was a sign of shame.
How is Paul remixing his culture?
In Paul's day, crucifixion was a brutal way to kill someone.
As Martin Hengel writes:
"Death on the cross was the penalty for slaves, as
everyone knew; as such it symbolized extreme humiliation, shame
and torture."
and
"That this crucified Jew, Jesus Christ, could truly be a
divine being sent on earth, God’s Son, the Lord of all and the
coming judge of the world, must inevitably have been thought by
any educated man to be utter ‘madness’ and
presumptuousness."
Yet Paul indicates that:
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of
God. (Paul's First Letter to the
Corinthians, chapter 1:18)
For Paul, the cross is the power of God because it destroys
all the boundaries between God and humanity as well as between
humans.
In the cross, death and sin no longer separate humans from
God;
"Death has been swallowed up in victory."
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your
sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is
the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ. (Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians,
chapter 15:54-57)
In the cross, status, class and race no longer divide humans;
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or
free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one
in Christ Jesus. (Paul's letter to the Galatians, chapter 3:28)
Finally, in the cross, our suffering does not separate us
from God; indeed, in the cross, God is with us in our suffering
and weakness.
but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for
power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all
the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ
may dwell in me. (Paul's Second
Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12:9)
The significance of the cross for Paul cannot be overstated;
a full treatment would take books and books (which it has!)
source:
info on crucifixion: Hengel, Martin.
Crucifixion in the Ancient World, London : S. C. M., 1977, p.
62, 83
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