BrotherMichaelSky
Well-Known Member
My mission is simply to stand for Judaism when I see the Pauline policy of Replacement Theology being promoted. That's what originally led me into the research of the NT. Then, I have been at it to the day.
Ben
The GENUINE problem, IMOFFO, is that the Very Point was taken from future generations.....
The blame does not lie with Paul, as is clearly shown in Romans 9-11 .
Paul was sharing a message that was disliked by the Jews, as well as by a great many Christians...Israel's Unbelief
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness[d] did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
10 Brothers,[e] my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.[f]
The Message of Salvation to All
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[g] And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for
“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
A message which is argued still, by those who will not see it....
But during the Early Church especially - when a naked sword, fire, domination were the methods of argument - those who UNDERSTOOD the message were almost sure to fall victim to those "persuasions"...
ONE understanding is what would be tolerated as things progressed - and is the reason for this quote:
" Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
John 12: 35-36
Over and over again, the message is pointed out to belong to all....
Paul had been a pharisee ... he was familiar with the arguments of "Lawyers"...
He argued with Jews until they were out to get him ( put a price on his head )- then he chilled, and started spending more time with the gentiles - go figure..... live to preach another day and all.....
Paul did not steal from the Jews - he acknowledged that the Jews were all set up to be the favored people - but they would not stop focusing on themselves long enough to see the next lesson....
so a new example emerged....
and it is due in large part to Paul ( no other made such a large contribution ) - that there is enough remaining to see the argument in it's entirety...
if one has but ears to hear, and eyes with which to see.....
but that's just MY lil ol' opinion......