Corpus-Paul

["Tim Gallant" <tim AT timgallant.org>]

John responds:
Might I suggest an alternate approach? An axiom that Tim is working
from and which is assumed in exegesis is the Satisfaction Theory of
the Atonement elucidated by Anselm of Canterbury. In other words,
God's justice has been satisfied for the elect only (TULIP). I find
it intriguing that Tim posits that 'Paul is standing in the prophetic
tradition' (14 Nov 2004, 14:14). The prophet's view of the divine
justice is not Anselmic in any way shape or form. In fact, there is a
recurring critique of mercy being substituted by sacrifice.

Well, I happen to think that in certain respects Anselm's view is one-sided. 
But it is at least equally one-sided to pit sacrifice versus mercy, as you 
apparently do here.  Paul certainly does not; in the very context of 
employing a prophetic critique, he goes on to speak in sacrificial 
categories - precisely as the revelation of God's righteousness (Rom 3.25; 
cf 8.1ff).

Sacrifice for Paul, of course, is no longer about the temple, but about 
Christ's self-offering.  But he is able to integrate that into a covenantal 
understanding of righteousness.  The righteousness of God is revealed from 
God's pistis and is directed toward man's pistis.  That righteousness, as 
just noted, has to do with Christ's self-offering.  Pistis, meanwhile, is 
operating as the covenantal faithfulness from both God's side and man's. 
The upshot is that Christ's sacrificial self-offering is available to the 
pistic response that God seeks from His covenant partner.  Hence sacrifice 
and covenantal categories are thoroughly integrated.

BTW, in an earlier post you implied that I advocated a covenant of works. 
While I emphatically do believe that God and Adam had a covenantal 
relationship, I think that "covenant of works" is unfortunate and misleading 
terminology.  I certainly do not think that Adam was intended to merit 
anything from God (and in fact, neither did most historical Reformed 
theologians, although the notion has gained a lot of currency in some 
Reformed circles of late).  For some thoughts on factors to consider in 
God's relationship to Adam, see here: 
http://www.covenantrenewal.com/covworks.htm

tim

Tim Gallant
Pastor, Conrad Christian Reformed Church
(Conrad, MT)

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