BET Archive | Volume 8 - Essays on Forgiveness
Title
A Theological Foundation for Christian Reconciliation: Paul's Letter to the Colossians as the Theological Substructure for His Letter to Philemon
Adam Copenhaver
Abstract (from the Editorial of BET vol. 8.1)
Adam Copenhaver demonstrates the relationship between Paul’s letter to the Colossians and his letter to Philemon, making the case that the theology of Colossians is the theological background to Paul’s call for Philemon to forgive Onesimus and accept him back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. In making these connections, Copenhaver takes us into the deep logic of Gospel forgiveness, allowing us to see how the theology of forgiveness is not merely an abstract theological construct, but is the driver behind forgiving acts within the Body of Christ.
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Adam Copenhaver is the Pastor at Mabton Grace Brethren Church in Mabton, WA. He studied at Grace College (BA in Biblical Studies), Grace Theological Seminary (MDiv in Pastoral Ministries), Westminster Theological Seminary (ThM in Old Testament), and Highland Theological College, University of Aberdeen (PhD in New Testament). Adam is a member of the St. Peter Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
