Corpus-Paul

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

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark D. Nanos" <mark AT marknanos.com>
To: "Corpus Paul" <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 6:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Galatians 3:10


> Jeff,
Strangely, folks who are so concerned with the meaning of every verse do not
seem to wrestle with v. 15 (NASB): Brethren, I speak in terms of human
relations: even though it is only a man¹s covenant, yet when it has been
ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. If that is so, then
it follows that Paul is not going to argue that Torah has been set aside or
that conditions have been added to it--for Jews, as for proselytes. (They
are quick to see that this means the Abrahamic covenant is not set aside,
but fail to see the logic goes both ways: since the Mosaic is in play before
Paul writes, it is not set aside either. Paul must work with both of these
covenants, although Christian theologians have not.) Put in play with 5:3,
that everyone who is circumcised "is obliged to observe the whole Torah," it
follows that Paul, who is circumcised and a Christ-believers, is obliged to
observe the whole Torah.

Perhaps surprisingly, I agree with your initial point. The logic *does* go 
both ways. Christ has not merely set Torah aside, nor has He added 
conditions to it. Rather, as I indicated in my previous post, He has 
provided the only means for Israel to come out from under it - viz, by 
bearing the curse against departure. That, I take it, is the answer to the 
issue, not some notion that believing Jews remain under the Torah covenant, 
which Paul nowhere countenances.

tim

------------
Tim Gallant
Pastor, Conrad Christian Reformed Church
http://www.timgallant.org
http://www.rabbisaul.com