Corpus-Paul

["Harold R. Holmyard III" <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear George,

> I would say that you keep having difficulty because you fail to 
> recognize that this is a group for the discussion of the Pauline 
> corpus.  This means that the focus is upon what Paul's thinking may 
> have been regardless of (and perhaps in contradistinction to) what 
> any other author in the NT may have written.

HH: That's not the way Pauline commentaries are written. They refer 
to other NT data.

>   It is not a list for the discussion of systematic theology which 
> fails to recognize the differing emphases of various writers. 
> Perhaps a list dealing with systematics would be preferable for you?

HH: There no ban on discussing what Paul means in relation to other 
NT writings. Just as in science we are not free to ignore data from 
one sphere of reality that might bear on our calculations in another, 
so in Johannine studies or Pauline studies, we are not free to ignore 
statements in other scriptural materials that might bear on our 
proposed interpretation of a Johannine or Pauline passage.

> Another matter is what Mark has mentioned.  You have a tendency to 
> proof-text.  You seem to think that it is sufficient to throw a 
> truck-load of references at a person with little or no attempt to 
> show how they impact upon the issue.  This appears to be a 
> phariseeism in the highest degree since you appear to think you will 
> be heard for your much referencing.

HH: I gave several clear passages in in one post that state we are 
not under the law. All but one were from Galatians itself, and the 
other was Pauline. To me the matter seemed so obvious that the verses 
only needed to be read to be understood. Explaining them seemed like 
gilding the lily. I do not assume that people necessarily think of 
all of Galatians when they offer an interpretation on one verse. So 
bringing in other verses that they may not have in mind can bring 
clarity.

                                        Yours,
                                        Harold Holmyard