Corpus-Paul

[Loren Rosson <rossoiii AT yahoo.com>]

Mark wrote:

>I think you and the trio you mention ought to read 
>the Tanak some time (and maybe Rom 9:4-5, real 
>carefully, word for word) and ask yourselves whether
>Paul could possibly think that way about the texts 
>that tell of heroes of the faith and of
>righteousness (some don't even die, their faith
>is so great, for crying out loud)...

Yes, but does Paul understand their faith -- which he
undoubtedly believed equivalent to his own
(pre-Christ) mentioned in Philip 3:4b-6 -- to be
equivalent to the particular measure of faith advanced
in Rom 4:18-25? I don't think the understanding being
advanced here contradicts the fact that "to the
Israelites belong adoption, glory, "covenants, law,
worship, and promises" (9:4-5), because Paul
understands this era to be one of "condemnation": how
much "more glorious" is the era of justification (II
Cor 3:9). In other words, it's all a hindsight
perspective. "What once had glory has lost its glory
because of the greater glory".

You know I don't believe Paul actually experienced any
of the "gloom and doom" implied by Rom 4 and made
explicit in Rom 7 (Philip 3:4b-6 more than trustworthy
here), but, as with so many converts in many times and
places, the past suddenly becomes inferior relative to
the new state of things. The past becomes anticipatory
at best -- and I'm beginning to think this is how Paul
sees Abraham: the exception who proves the rule in a
hopeless era (again: Paul's point of view, and
hindsight perspective only). This is why scripture can
become such a battleground. And it's also why most
Judeans (quelle surprise) had trouble seeing
eye-to-eye with Paul. Does this sound at least
plausible, even if disagreeable and (to you) rather odious?

=====
Loren Rosson III
Nashua NH
rossoiii AT yahoo.com

"In the natural sciences a person is remembered for his best idea; in the 
social sciences he is remembered for his worst."


                
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