Corpus-Paul

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

> But then the issue I raised still
> remains. If "returning to the weak and poor stoicheia" in Gal 4:8-10 means
> returning to the pagan practices as you suggest, it means that they
> had chosen a strictly pagan solution rather than the agreed pagan/Jewish
> solution.

Why does it mean this Moon? That is one of the two options available 
on the pagan or Jewish or pagan/Jewish solutions (these are all the 
same). Either become proselytes, or do your duties as a pagan. Paul's 
message represents a new alternative, but not one shared by other 
non-Christ-believing Jews or pagans, according to the the prevailing 
norms of both.

> But Paul said that they actually complied with the pagan practices (Gal
> 4:8-10)
> according to your interpretation. (Are you saying that they were just
> considering it in their mind?)

Paul's ironic tone suggests that they have been considering this as 
though it was the required response if they did not take up the other 
option, proselyte conversion, which they knew that Paul opposed for 
themselves. To what degree they may have done some withdrawing, like 
Peter did at Antioch, is not clear, but the mere consideration is 
sufficient for Paul's rebuke. The are considering both options, but 
Paul opposes both, since they are no longer pagans, but not becoming 
Jews/Israelites either.

Regards,
Mark Nanos