Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Anti- and Pro-Israel contradictions in Paul's letters

Reinventing Paul by John G. Gager

If we look at Paul's letters, it is not difficult to pull out what on the surface appear to be directly opposing views, anti- and pro-Israel:

Anti-Israel set:

"All who rely on works of the law are under a curse" (Galatians 3:10).
"No one is justified before God by the law" (Galatians 3:11).
"For [some manuscripts add 'in Christ Jesus'] neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation is everything!" (Galatians 6:15).
"No human being will be justified in his [God's] sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20).
"Israel, who pursued righteousness based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law" (Romans 9:31).
"But their minds were hardened. Indeed, for to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil is still there, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day, whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds" (2 Corinthians 3:14-15).

Pro-Israel set:

"What is the advantage of the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way" (Romans 3:1).
"Do we not overthrow the Law by this notion of faith? By no means. On the contrary, we uphold the Law" (Romans 3:31).
"What shall we say? That the Law is sin? By no means" (Romans 7:7).
"Thus the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good" (Romans 7:12).
"To the Israelites belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the Temple, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ" (Romans 9:4).
"Has God rejected his people? By no means" (Romans 11:1).
"All Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26).
"Is the Law then opposed to the promises of God. Certainly not!" (Galatians 3:21).

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