Corpus-Paul

["Mark D. Nanos" <nanos AT mail.gvi.net>]

Dear John,
You wrote:
> If Jeremiah 8 is the correct source for understanding Romans 10, 
> then ignorance of God's ways arises out of rebellion and a desire to 
> persue one's own ways.

I am not sure of your point. Is this the only way in which it arises? 
Is this and only this true for all people at all times?

> A zeal for God (Romans 10:2) would likewise be wrong-headed.  This 
> possibility seems to be supported by Isaiah 58:1-12.  The sinful 
> house of Jacob "seeks Me day by day, and delights to know My ways as 
> a nation that has done righteousness, and has not forsaken the 
> ordinance of their God."  Yet they did not understand the true 
> nature of a fast.  "Is this not the fast which I chose, to loosen 
> the bonds of wickedness...?"

I do not understand the connections you are making here. How do you 
conclude that "a zeal for God" "would be wrong-headed" as though this 
was an absolute principle? Do not the prophets and even Jesus call 
for such zeal? Does not Paul boast of such? Does not Isaiah's comment 
assume that seeking God and delighting in knowing God's ways is good? 
Does not the criticism of "the fast" done when not choosing other 
actions of righteousness assume the righteousness of the fast done 
when those other actions are done righteously?

If there is a general principle, is it not that zeal for God, like 
everything else good, can be turned into "not good" when it comes in 
the way of "the good," i.e, God, and good toward those whom he 
created in his good image?

Regards,
Mark Nanos