i understood the issue at hand to be rejection of a privileged class. Prior to this point, the world really was divided into Jews and Gentiles. Jews saw themselves as a privileged class. It was perfectly acceptable to show favoritism toward other Jews. The Jews certainly had a certain special role (Paul uses the phrase "to the Jew first" and also tells the Gentile churches they could share their material blessings with the Jewish church since the Jews shared their spiritual blessings with the Gentiles; and further Jesus first turns down the Syrophoenician woman's request on account of His time is meant to be focused on Jews). Nevertheless, they no longer had an exclusive or privileged hold on a relationship with God. Cementing that fact in the minds of first century Christians seems to have consumed a great deal of Paul's work. Paul here seems to be generalizing the point though--there is no room for favoritism or class/caste systems in the church. No one has any legitimate claim that some class has a right to privileged access to God.
Racial, ethnic, gender, social and financial status; even differences from sexual orientation are all man made, artificial. It is clear through this passage that God does not care about looks, fancy clothes, financial or social status, skin colour, etc. Ethnic religious groups, gay or traditional nonaccepting churches, are artificial, man made and do not promote a spirit of unity in Christ, but of division and intolerance. Any religious group or beliefe that discriminates one or another cannot come from God. God made no distinction at all, He loved everyone and accepted all regardless their life paths. I have only read Love one another, and haven´t found anywhere in the Bible where it says hate your neighbour if he does not think or look or like the same that you do.
In the context of the circumcision heresy that Paul was combating in Galatia, this passage tells me that a relationship with God is no longer based on gender, race or social status.
Slaves of Jewish masters were to be circumcised. Anyone who wasn't circumcised was a Gentile. Unless she was a woman.
And none of that mattered anymore. Galatians 3:28 is a broad principle that sweeps first-century societies off their foundations on class, gender and race castes.
If we cannot break down those same barriers today among believers, then we haven't understood the "big picture" of God's inclusiveness. How can we hope to communicate that to the world, which in some cases - race and gender especially - is outpacing our inclusiveness?
One "in Christ Jesus". We are all one, in that we share our faith in Christ Jesus and follow His ways. This does not give us a license to bring sin into the church and proclaim that it should be accepted in the name of unity. We are 'all' accepted by Christ when we accept Him and Who He is. In doing so, we establish the fact that we will follow His ways.He doesn't care where we came from, only where we are willing to follow...
Pertaining to this verse I take it to mean that salvation is a matter of faith not a matter of ones standing. In Christ we are all one whether you're a Jewish believer or a Gentile believer.
i understood the issue at hand to be rejection of a privileged class. Prior to this point, the world really was divided into Jews and Gentiles. Jews saw themselves as a privileged class. It was perfectly acceptable to show favoritism toward other Jews. The Jews certainly had a certain special role (Paul uses the phrase "to the Jew first" and also tells the Gentile churches they could share their material blessings with the Jewish church since the Jews shared their spiritual blessings with the Gentiles; and further Jesus first turns down the Syrophoenician woman's request on account of His time is meant to be focused on Jews). Nevertheless, they no longer had an exclusive or privileged hold on a relationship with God. Cementing that fact in the minds of first century Christians seems to have consumed a great deal of Paul's work. Paul here seems to be generalizing the point though--there is no room for favoritism or class/caste systems in the church. No one has any legitimate claim that some class has a right to privileged access to God.
ReplyDelete--guy
Racial, ethnic, gender, social and financial status; even differences from sexual orientation are all man made, artificial. It is clear through this passage that God does not care about looks, fancy clothes, financial or social status, skin colour, etc. Ethnic religious groups, gay or traditional nonaccepting churches, are artificial, man made and do not promote a spirit of unity in Christ, but of division and intolerance. Any religious group or beliefe that discriminates one or another cannot come from God. God made no distinction at all, He loved everyone and accepted all regardless their life paths. I have only read Love one another, and haven´t found anywhere in the Bible where it says hate your neighbour if he does not think or look or like the same that you do.
ReplyDelete--Arturo
In the context of the circumcision heresy that Paul was combating in Galatia, this passage tells me that a relationship with God is no longer based on gender, race or social status.
ReplyDeleteSlaves of Jewish masters were to be circumcised. Anyone who wasn't circumcised was a Gentile. Unless she was a woman.
And none of that mattered anymore. Galatians 3:28 is a broad principle that sweeps first-century societies off their foundations on class, gender and race castes.
If we cannot break down those same barriers today among believers, then we haven't understood the "big picture" of God's inclusiveness. How can we hope to communicate that to the world, which in some cases - race and gender especially - is outpacing our inclusiveness?
One "in Christ Jesus". We are all one, in that we share our faith in Christ Jesus and follow His ways. This does not give us a license to bring sin into the church and proclaim that it should be accepted in the name of unity. We are 'all' accepted by Christ when we accept Him and Who He is. In doing so, we establish the fact that we will follow His ways.He doesn't care where we came from, only where we are willing to follow...
ReplyDeleteBTW Kinney, I loved the question.
ReplyDeletePertaining to this verse I take it to mean that salvation is a matter of faith not a matter of ones standing. In Christ we are all one whether you're a Jewish believer or a Gentile believer.
ReplyDeletegucci outlet, louboutin outlet, longchamp handbags, tory burch outlet, longchamp outlet, true religion jeans, louis vuitton outlet, air max, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton, jordan shoes, burberry outlet, tiffany and co, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet, kate spade handbags, ray ban sunglasses, air max, oakley sunglasses, michael kors outlet, louboutin, tiffany and co, oakley sunglasses cheap, kate spade outlet, michael kors outlet, prada outlet, burberry outlet, michael kors outlet, nike shoes, coach factory outlet, nike free, louboutin, polo ralph lauren outlet, louis vuitton outlet stores, chanel handbags, christian louboutin shoes, prada handbags, michael kors outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, coach purses, michael kors outlet, coach outlet store online, true religion jeans, ray ban sunglasses, longchamp handbags, coach outlet
ReplyDeletelancel, canada goose, timberland boots, pandora charms, thomas sabo, moncler outlet, hollister, canada goose, moncler, hollister clothing store, converse, ray ban, louis vuitton, rolex watches, iphone 6 cases, oakley, juicy couture outlet, vans, karen millen, pandora jewelry, ugg, moncler, air max, supra shoes, swarovski crystal, swarovski, pandora charms, moncler, moncler, converse shoes, gucci, ugg, louboutin, montre homme, air max, hollister, coach outlet store online, links of london, baseball bats, juicy couture outlet, ralph lauren, parajumpers, moncler, toms shoes, wedding dresses, moncler
ReplyDelete