Original scientific paper

The Dialectics of the »First Adam« and the »Last Adam« in the Apostle Paul’s Anthropology

Porfirije Perić ; Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Beograd, Beograd, Serbia
Dragan Radić orcid.org/0000-0001-7894-3082 ; Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Beograd, Beograd, Serbia

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse two very important anthropological notions of the Apostle Paul and to try to point out, through the dialectic relationship of the »First« and the »Last« Adam (1 Cor 15:45), as well as the »old« and the »new« human being (Eph. 4, 22 – 24; Kol. 3, 9-10), that the Christian anthropology in its ontology is directly linked to the ontology of God himself. According to the teaching of the Apostle Paul, it is necessary to reject the old human being and put on the new human being, because the human being is called by God to a new life in the Church. The apostle Paul points out that the first Adam, created as a »living soul«, found the fullness of his being and life and the realization of his ultimate goal in the person of last Adam – »the life-giving Spirit«, i.e. in the Mystery of God that became the Human Being, Christ. The novelty of the New Testament anthropology, in relation to the ancient Greek and Old-Testamentary, brought by the Apostle Paul, is the Last, New Adam, who is the originator of the new humanity and life.

Keywords

Paul; anthropology; the first Adam; the last Adam; Christ

Hrčak ID:

151387

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/151387

Publication date:

18.1.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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