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corpus-paul - Re: [Corpus-Paul] Galatians 2:16: Exploring theRelationshipbetween Faith and Works

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  • From: "Rabbi Saul" <tim AT rabbisaul.com>
  • To: "Corpus-Paul" <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Galatians 2:16: Exploring theRelationshipbetween Faith and Works
  • Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 14:28:49 -0600

>Paul does show the superiority of faith over following precepts of Torah which are
administered by men. However, I would understand that the law still provides an
essential function for those who have faith viz a vis Torah is used by the believer to
more fully apprehend the person and nature of Christ to whom he is now obligated.
1. We must address the text before we can get to "understanding" as application.  The important thing is to attempt to follow Paul's argument.  Paul is not speaking merely on generalized terms regarding "the superiority of faith."  He is speaking of two covenants.  One of the most fundamental causes of confusion in Pauline studies, in my judgment, is the failure to distinguish between two uses of nomos (nomoV; "law") in Paul's letters:  law as Scripture (which can indeed encompass the books beyond Moses), and law as covenant.  (For examples of places where Paul makes word plays between these two meanings, see Rom 3.19, 21 and Gal 4.21.)  Paul never repudiates the former.  Paul consistently denies that new covenant believers are under the latter.  One can be "in Torah" (en nomw; Rom 2.12; 3.19 etc; = upo nomon, "under law;" 6.14) or "in Christ" (en Cristw) but not both.  Unless we come to solid grips with this distinction of nomoV, we will perpetually argue past each other, and each side will have a large number of texts slip out of their hands.
 
2. Torah as a covenant cannot be "used by the believer."  A covenant is not an object of use, but a governing relationship which determines identity.  Paul would no more speak of Torah (i.e. Mosaic covenant) as an object of use than he would speak of Christ Himself as an object of use.  Torah as Scripture, of course, is always in Paul authoritative, although not necessarily directly applicable in some sort of straight-across ethical fashion (hence his treatment of circumcision).

>The law functions as a kind of stepping stone into the 'righteous life'
that God requires. <snip>
 
This is too ambiguous.  If you mean it is a salvation-historical stepping stone (a temporary period), fine.  But if you mean that Paul suggests that the law is some sort of tool to be employed for a personal means of advancing higher spiritually, I see no evidence for that whatsoever.  Torah, as I said earlier, while given by God, belongs to the "old creation" side of salvation history.  Paul demonstrates no awareness of a *present* "pedagogical use" of the law as it has been generally understood.  All *Scripture* is available and authoritative for our instruction, but again:  a covenant is not a tool in our hands. 
 
tim
 
Tim Gallant
Pastor, Conrad Christian Reformed Church
Conrad, MT
 
Biblical Studies Center
http://www.timgallant.org/center.htm
 
Pauline studies:
http://www.rabbisaul.com
 
(406) 278-5846 / (406) 278-7809
Fax:  (406) 278-7809
http://www.timgallant.org



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