Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

corpus-paul - Re: Sanders and the "New" Perspective

corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Corpus-Paul

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: John Lupia <JLupia2 AT excite.com>
  • To: Corpus-paul <corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Sanders and the "New" Perspective
  • Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 12:45:49 -0700 (PDT)


In response to Dr. Mark D. Nanos:

I concur with your insightful views regarding Gal. 2,14 and offer a
suggestion below:

Galatians 2,14 makes sense in light of Acts 10,11-16; 11,5-11. Since St.
Peter was given the revelation to abandon Jewish dietary laws he ate
according to Gentile customs thereby disregarding Mosaic code. St. Paul's
criticism pointed out St. Peter's inconsistency in this regard by making
awkward compromising concessions in order to win over the Jews. Romans 1,16
points out the Gospel saves those who have faith, "to the Jew first and also
to the Greek" a formula repeated in v. 2,9,10. Romans 2, 28-29 teaches that
it is the circumcision of the heart that now takes precedence over the
former excision of the foreskin (orlah). The former ritual was the
physical "distinction" between Jew and Greek which St. Paul says exists no
more in v. 10,12 and repeated in Galatians 3,28; Colossians 3,11 (although,
to some, the latter ranks among the disputed epistles of which I do not
concur). Romans 11,25 clearly states that due to the hardening that befell
Israel their conversion would not come until first "the full number of the
Gentiles has come in." So, St. Peter's inept concession to the Jews proved
to be not only an inconsistency in order to bend backwards to accommodate
them to win them to the faith because of this hardening of their hearts, but
the very event recorded points to the eschatological nature that it
signifies regarding the conversion of the Jews in the end times. Merely as
a point of reference, not intending to offend nor proselytize, I refer you
to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 674:

This glorious Messiah's coming is suspended at every moment of history until
his recognition by "all Israel," for "a hardening has come upon part of
Israel" in their "unbelief" toward Jesus. (Romans 11,20-26; Matthew 23,39).
St. Peter says to the Jews of Jerusalem after Pentecost: "Repent therefore,
and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing
may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ
appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for
establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of
old." (Acts 3,19-21). St. Paul echoes him: "For if their rejection means
the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life
from the dead."(Romans 11,15). The "full inclusion" of the Jews in the
Messiah's salvation, in the wake of "the full number of the Gentiles,"
(Romans 11,12,25; Luke 21,24) will enable the people of God to achieve "the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ," in which "God may be all
in one". (Ephesians 4,13; 1 Corinthians 15,28).

Cordially in Christ,
John
<><


John N. Lupia
501 North Avenue B-1
Elizabeth, New Jersey 07208-1731 USA
JLupia2 AT excite.com
<>< ~~~ <>< ~~~ <>< ~~~ ><> ~~~ ><> ~~~ ><>
"during this important time, as the eve of the new millennium approaches . .
. unity among all Christians of the various confessions will increase until
they reach full communion." John Paul II, Tertio Millennio Adveniente, 16





_______________________________________________________
Send a cool gift with your E-Card
http://www.bluemountain.com/giftcenter/






Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page