tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811264108457143000.post7442674876097069491..comments2023-07-01T00:22:54.261+09:30Comments on Berith Road: The Identity and Theology of Paul's Jewish OpponentsSteven Coxheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17798792943613130505noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811264108457143000.post-42542049659630496402010-12-07T21:26:22.826+09:302010-12-07T21:26:22.826+09:30Thanks, Jeff, for your comment, and for your encou...Thanks, Jeff, for your comment, and for your encouragement.<br /><br />In the end, we have plenty of evidence from the New Testament itself (without having to resort to studies of first-century Judaism in a big way, although such studies can undoubtedly be helpful if done well) concerning the basic theological motivation of Paul’s Jewish opponents. <br /><br />They were zealous for the law of Moses (Rom 10:2; Gal 1:14; Phil 3:5–6; see also Acts 21:20; 22:3), and sought to be faithful to Moses by following the Jewish customs regarding the law (Acts 10:9–17, 28; 11:2–3; 15:1, 5; Gal 1:14; see also Acts 21:21). <br /><br />And rather than being a negative, I take it that being zealous for the law (properly understood) was actually Israel’s covenantal obligation under the Mosaic arrangement. Being zealous for God’s law is good, provided that it is a zeal with knowledge. And zeal with knowledge in the new covenant age means seeing Christ as bringing to an end the rule of the law of Moses per se, with covenant righteousness now defined in terms of submission to Christ (i.e., faith) rather than in terms of submission to the law of Moses (Rom 10:4). This christological “dethroning” of the law of Moses was precisely what Paul’s Jewish opponents were reacting to (Acts 21:21).Steven Coxheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17798792943613130505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1811264108457143000.post-38281783071559227162010-12-06T17:44:00.970+09:302010-12-06T17:44:00.970+09:30This simple description, with some work, makes sen...This simple description, with some work, makes sense of the New Testament situation. As we overcome objections to this description of Paul's opponents, we gain a reward...a much better understanding of all Paul's Epistles.<br /><br />I hope you get a chance spend more time blogging on this topic.<br /><br />-JeffJeffhttp://www.personaldiscipleship.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com