My next project is called:
EATING AS EQUALS AND VYING FOR VINDICATION:
FOOD, FELLOWSHIP AND JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH IN ANTIOCH
(GAL 2:11-14)
The gist is that justification/righteousnessed is used frequently in the NT with a soteriological and forensic sense in my reckoning. However, to give its due, passages such as Rom. 3.27-31 and esp. Gal. 2.11-14 do edge towards a employment of justification as "covenant membership" (Dunn; Wright) or even "identity legitimisation" (Esler; Nanos) as well. Furthermore, the dispute at Antioch (and the incident is incredibly slippery to reconstruct ranging from what was the problem and who was involved) was not about "what must I do to be saved?" but rather it revolved around disputes concerning food and fellowship. But how does this context relate to justification, particularly when in passages like Romans 5 and James 2, justification has obvious soteriological meanings? In other words, how do the covenantal and forensic aspects of justification come together in Paul's narration of the Antioch incident and how he sees as being relevant for the Galatians? That is my next topic?
Hopefully in the coming weeks, I'll press on with it!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Mike,
Great thoughts there, can't wait to hear how that develops. I'd been wondering what you would work on next..."Wil he stay with Jesus/Gospels...or will he continue the move toward Paul..."
Let's remember that the context of Jas 2 seems to link community/covenant membership to justification in strong ways. Particularly during this time of intense need in N.O, LA, USA and (as always) in the poorer countries of this world.
Probably a majority of those afflicted in New Orleans are Christians, the justified, the covenant community; and they, like others the world o'er, wait for us to exhibit OUR justification...
Sorry to get on my high horse like that. It's really on the brain...even when I'm trying to read blogs to escape the grisly news.
Michael, great topic! Have you considered how Eph. 2:11-3:12 as it relates to God creating a new community as the people of God(i.e., the church). It is not (to barrow from Lincoln) that the Gentiles must become Jewish, or the Jews must become Gentiles, but that a new unity now exists made up equally of Jews and Gentiles by Grace through Faith. How this may relate to the question of justification and fellowship deserves a modicum of consideration.
Greetings Michael. I was wondering if you will develop these thoughts on the blog? Also, could you perhaps offer some thoughts on my http://primalsubversion.blogspot.com/2005/08/justification-and-galatians-random.html
Any comments would be much appreciated...
Great point, Alan. Who was it who said that justification is THE most ecumenical doctrine we have (I know NTW has said that, did it start with him)?
Post a Comment