Before I begin, I want to say that this is a very tricky subject, which I am debating myself at this time...
The e-mail contained arguments that Paul's letters contradicted Yeshua's teachings. I will try to respond to each point made.
I. Yeshua described God as loving, while Paul described Him as a God of wrath. Really, this is not a contradiction, as the Old Testament describes him as both in multiple places.
II. Yeshua summed up the Law in two commandments (Love God and love our neighbor), while Paul summed it up in one (love your neighbor). This is a very good point, especially considering the the second is useless without the first.
III. Can we be righteous or not under the Law? This is a very good point as well. Paul is known for saying that no man is righteous. Yeshua said that there were righteous men. Could this be simply because of interpretation of righteousness?
IV. Yeshua taught that it was necessary to obey the law to be saved (Matthew 19:16-19). Paul taught that it was not(Romans 3:28).
V. Free will vs. Predestination. Oy, back to this argument again. I personally see it as somewhere in the middle, which I call free choice. But truly, is there a satisfactory answer on this Earth?
VI. Effort required, or effort is futile? Luke 13:24, Romans 9:16 Effort alone will not save us, but we need to make that effort.
VII. About Children. Matthew 18:3, 19:14 ; 1 Corinthians 14:20 Honestly, I am quite confused by this... Help?
VIII. Not to exercise authority over others, or have elders? Luke 22:24-27. Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5 Now, this wouldn't be such a contradiction, especially taking into account Luke 22:28-30. I see Yeshua advocating that any leaders were to be the servants of those they led, as He is. BUT, there is an apparent contradiction, as the task Paul gave the elders was not to serve, but to teach. (Titus 1:10-16)
IX. What are the marks of true discipleship? John 13:35, 8:31, 15:8 ; Matthew 7:22-23 ; 2 Corinthians 12:12 A very good point is made here... The two teachings on this seem very much at odds...
X. Treatment of women. This is an area where I simply can't seem to reconcile Paul's view with God's. Luke 10:38-40, 7:36-50, 8:1-3, 8:44-47 ; John 11:21-25, 4:7-27 ; Matthew 5:28 ; 1 Corinthians 14:33-35
Okay, I think that I am done for now. If you have any insights that will make this subject any clearer, please post them. I look forward to some illuminating discussion.
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I. Aye. I believe the NT also describes God as both.
ReplyDeleteII. Good stuff. :)
III. Interesting question. Noah was called righteous. John the Baptist's parents (Zechariah and Elisabeth) were righteous. James says that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This assumes that there are righteous people. I think that whether one is considered righteous or not depends on interpretation. Either righteousness is following the law perfectly in every instance, or it's following the law to the best of your ability and repenting when you don't.
IV. I think they are two sides of one coin. Salvation is by faith. Faith produces obedience to the commandments. The evidence of your salvation is your walk with God. If you say, "Lord, Lord" but your heart is far removed from Him, then I question mightily your salvation. Anybody who says he loves God yet hates his neighbor is a liar.
V. There are satisfactory answers for those who believe in predestination. Those of us left undecided will probably have to keep searching. :)
VI. Well said.
VII. Have childlike faith. Be trusting of your Father in heaven Who knows how to give good things to those who ask. Accept that what He tells you is true and for your benefit. As regards to evil, be innocent of it. As an adult, be grown up in your thinking. Put away childish things. You used to think and act and talk like a child. As an adult, you no longer do those things but function as an adult.
VIII. Teaching is a great service. If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime. Moses taught, Jesus taught, the great leaders in human history taught. You can teach by example or by your words. The best is to have your actions reflect your words. "To teach is to touch a life." I feel that part of my service to the Almighty is to spread teaching about His Word. This might be purely selfish on my part, but it gives me great satisfaction to do so. And I feel deeply that I am called to teach about Him and His Word.
IX. Hmmm seems to me that Jesus promised his disciples that they too would perform signs and wonders and miracles... great things than he showed them even. John 14:12. It is not JUST doing signs and wonders but also about holding to Jesus' teachings.
X. Paul reflected common attitudes among Jews in his time and still prevelant among Orthodox Jews today. That is, no women sitting with men in shul, no women rabbis, no women cantors. Women are not to teach men. Women do not count towards a minyan. Women are not to speak out in shul and question men's authority or learning. Women are not obligated to perform the positive commandments that are time-bound. Somehow, not required morphed into not allowed. In any event. I disagree sharply with Paul as well. But, perhaps Paul was intending his letters to go only to that specific church and to be a guideline for their behavior.
Leo
Thank you for your comments... I will respond more later...
ReplyDeleteOkay, my studies pulled away from this for the moment, but I will likely be coming back to it at some time.
ReplyDelete