Logical Proof: ALL children crying, ABBA! IMA! ...
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Back to Paul: were there to be two or more 'peoples' his whole theological scheme woulds lapse back into some sort of paganism: with each tribe or race possessing its own national deities
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THE [other] rabbis, however, did NOT see IT that way: allowing that others could worship "G*D" and be saved without joining into ONE "People of "G*D"?
ONCE MORE, I think the passion for unity must be ascribed to Paul's Hellenistic Jewish Weltanschauung ...
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The Law is THUS demoted in importance vis-a-vis the promise, but whether it was given to prevent or to punish transgression, there is no suggestion here that it has a demonic function or that these 'angels' are to understood demonically.
It is easy, however, how GNOSTICS could find SUCH a meaning here?
In any case, THE important point is that there is no warrant here to understand that the function of the Law was to produce transgression in order to increase the scope of the working of "G*D's" grace - rather like a doctor making the patient sicker in order to increase the scope of her healing power.
NOR do the next verses argue for SUCH an interpretation either?! GAL 3:21-25
"IS the law then against the promises of 'g*d'?"
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IS THE LAW then angainst the promises of "G*D"?
Certainly NOT!
For if a law had been given which could make alive, then justification would indeed be by the law?
BUT the Scripture consigned everything under sin, in order that the promise, by faith in Yehoshuah haMashiach might be GIVEN to those who believe!
BEFORE FAITH CAME, we were kept in custody under the Law, confined until the coming of faith was to be revealed ...
Therefore, the Law has BEEN our guardian until "CHRIST", in order that we might be justified BY FAITH.
But since the faith HAS come, [and we have become of age] we are no longer under a guardian.
Therefore, the Law has BEEN our guardian until "CHRIST", in order that we might be justified BY FAITH.
in other words: it's a free for all no rules fight 'cause christ died for our sins !
i can justify any thing ! just put faith in it and my soul is saved wish it was that simple but then again, the books were not written that way just read that way !
~*~ OF course THE meaning of REAL FAITH is: faith in the righteous example of the 'son of man' which can only be 'adopted' if we really believe that it IS a way OUT of just 'follow' the Rules, be 'part of the Group' or some other way to go on as "Exclusive" 'Jew', 'Christian', 'Muslim' or 'whatever'? Almost anything CAN be read, interpreted and/or understood "ANY" way? The point, I think YESH & Paul are making essentially, is that 'if we really want to do "IT" honestly, openly & critically according to our understanding of this faith in what is right and/or wrong', THAN we almost can't go wrong, whatever background we have! IF we are prepared to 'give up' our 'old roots' of belonging ONLY to this or that family, tribe, race, religion or 'FIX', ONLY THAN we CAN be open to the greater unity of mankind, without the limiting restrictions of 'the old ways' of 'flesh', 'rules', 'exclusivity' & 'superiority'. THIS 'new' attitude only enables us to be free in the way they meant and I think this is also what for instance Jiddu Krishnamurti was aiming at in his choice NOT to be a Leader. NOT the belief in ONE group, person or dogma anymore, BUT taking really our own responsibility before "G*D" [or whatever you want to call "IT" ...] ... It's not so easy to be clear for everyone in any language, but as far as my understanding goes this is what they meant ... And all I can do is try to clarify 'this way' to anyone who really wants 'to know' which way they want 'to go': to be free, responsible and try to put into practice what Yehoshua & Paul a.s.o. in their time tried to discover and took the risk of 'talking' about & 'acting out': to be a child of 'g*d'/nature/son/daughter of man, not as a 'holy' formula but a a daily 'myDidiscovery' we 'do' ... ? ~~