Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/215736
In the Fullness of Time... KEITH WELLS, DMIN LIBRARY DIRECTOR & ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY & RESEARCH statement Seminary says, "Denver men and women Theofmissionthe needs ofof Denver with the redemptive powerSeminary prepares the life-changing to engage the world of the Gospel and truth Scripture." This "redemptive power of the Gospel" is clearly evident in these verses from Paul's letter to the Galatian Christians—where the apostle links the advent of Jesus Christ to God's redemptive purposes. But of all times in human history, why was this time, in particular, the "fullness of time" to effect this redemption? Scholars point out that the social, historical, and cultural contexts of first-century Palestine were uniquely suited for the arrival of Christ in the flesh. This was the period of the pax romana (Roman peace) where there was an overall unity and economic prosperity across the empire. The Roman system of roads facilitated commerce as well as communication across long distances. The language of commerce, Greek, was spoken from Judea to Spain—linking one end of the empire to the other. Add to that the malaise of the pantheon of Greek and Roman gods and the mystery religions, and the milieu was ripe for the arrival of Jesus Christ and "the redemptive power of the Gospel." Then, too, the messianic genealogies of Joseph and Mary converged in a small Jewish village just at this point in history, in the "fullness of time". "BUT WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME, GOD SENT HIS SON, BORN OF A WOMAN, BORN UNDER THE LAW, IN ORDER TO REDEEM THOSE WHO WERE UNDER THE LAW, SO THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE ADOPTION AS CHILDREN." (GAL. 4:4-5, NRSV) DENVER SEMINARY CHRISTMAS 2013 As Paul indicates in these verses, it was also "the fullness of time" when the Law of Moses had accomplished its purpose. It had both taught and enslaved, so the Jewish people longed for freedom and deliverance. The "redemptive power of the Gospel" here consists of restoration and adoption. Through the coming of Christ, we are rescued from bondage to the Law, and our identity is changed from a slave to law to an adopted child of God. The "fullness of time" for this "redemptive power of the Gospel" is not just in the first century, or at this Christmas season, but for DECEMBER any time and all the time. Praise be to God! 18 23