Corpus-Paul

["rabbisaul" <tim AT rabbisaul.com>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim West" <jwest AT highland.net>
To: "Corpus-Paul" <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 11:42 AM
Subject: RE: [Corpus-Paul] Did Paul break the Law?


> At 01:05 PM 1/12/2005, you wrote:
> > So, I don't see Paul doing away with the law entirely; rather, he seems to 
> > be saying that Gentiles are legit without having to follow the law, while 
> > seldom (I would say never) addressing the issue as regards Jews.
> >
> > Lee
>
> Excellent points.  So in essence Jews have to do by observing the law what 
> gentiles don't have to bother with?  Seems a tad unfair to me.  But is 
> that really what Paul thought?  Would Paul accept the notion that there is 
> a jewish way to god and a gentile way?

I think you have two separate questions there. Paul has only one way of 
salvation: through the Messiah. Torah has become relativized in terms of its 
distinctives. But that very relativization means that Jews are free to 
continue to observe it (with the notable exception of any instances where it 
might bar full communion with Gentile Christians). Hence, in Acts (which I 
am assuming reliability for) you find Paul himself observing a Nazarite vow, 
and worshipping in the temple when he is in Jerusalem. There is never the 
slightest hint that he expects Jewish Christians to leave off circumcising 
their children. (And of course there is the tricky case of Timothy in Acts 
16.1-3.)


Tim Gallant
Pastor, Conrad Christian Reformed Church

http://www.timgallant.org
tim | gallant site group