Lecture 28 Outline - Jewish Law and Early Christianity

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— filed under: Historical, Theology, Foundations of Theology: Biblical and Historical, Biblical, Foundations of Theology

Genesis 17: The covenant of circumcision

Sign of the everlasting covenant (17:9-14; also see Acts 15:1 and 5)
On the 8th day, incumbent on all males

Matthew 5

All of the law is valid: Jesus and the disciples were all Jews.

In Acts 3:1 they keep laws for daily prayer
In Acts 1:12 they show familiarity with Sabbath law

"You have heard…but I say to you…

The depth of legal obligation (see Ruth!)

Acts 15: The Jerusalem Council.

A surprise: more Gentiles convert than Jews.

Whereas in Judea most of the followers of Jesus are Jewish…
Outside Judea where Paul preaches, most are Gentile

Jesus gave no authoritative teaching as to what to do about this

On Jesus and the priority of Jews see Mk 7:24-29, esp v. 27 and the annotation to that verse.
Option 1: all must become Jews;
Option 2: they remain Gentiles

The scriptural answer provided by James, Acts 15:13-21

David's kingdom has been restored in the resurrection of Christ with the result that: "all other peoples may now seek the Lord, even the Gentiles over whom my name has been called."
Four laws Gentiles must keep (Acts 15:20). These are laws that the book of Leviticus says are obligatory for both Israelites and aliens (=Gentiles). E.g. Lev 17:10

So for Paul, circumcision is also not necessary (Galatians 5:2-15)
But Judaism has not been done away with.

Romans 11:29 – their calling is "irrevocable"
God will somehow arrange the course of human history such that "all Israel will be saved" (11:20).
And so, as Father Cantalamessa writes: "For us Christians, Judaism is not 'another religion,' but rather an integral part of our own." The sermon from which this quote is taken, translated from the Italian, is available online here: http://www.yourcatholicvoice.org/insight.php?article=2588

Copyright 2009, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. Anderson, G. A. (2006, September 07). Lecture 28 Outline - Jewish Law and Early Christianity. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Notre Dame OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.nd.edu/theology/foundations-of-theology-biblical-and-historical/lectures/lecture-28-outline-jewish-law-and-early. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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Lecture 28 Outline - Jewish Law and Early Christianity

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Course Contents Foundations of Theology: Biblical and Historical Home About the Professor Syllabus Readings Calendar Lecture Notes Homework Assignments Quiz Study Guides	Personal tools Log in Register You are here: Home → Theology → Foundations of Theology: Biblical and Historical → Lectures → Lecture 28 Outline - Jewish Law and Early Christianity
	Info Lecture 28 Outline - Jewish Law and Early Christianity Document Actions — filed under: Historical, Theology, Foundations of Theology: Biblical and Historical, Biblical, Foundations of Theology Genesis 17: The covenant of circumcision Sign of the everlasting covenant (17:9-14; also see Acts 15:1 and 5) On the 8th day, incumbent on all males Matthew 5 All of the law is valid: Jesus and the disciples were all Jews. In Acts 3:1 they keep laws for daily prayer In Acts 1:12 they show familiarity with Sabbath law "You have heard…but I say to you… The depth of legal obligation (see Ruth!) Acts 15: The Jerusalem Council. A surprise: more Gentiles convert than Jews. Whereas in Judea most of the followers of Jesus are Jewish… Outside Judea where Paul preaches, most are Gentile Jesus gave no authoritative teaching as to what to do about this On Jesus and the priority of Jews see Mk 7:24-29, esp v. 27 and the annotation to that verse. Option 1: all must become Jews; Option 2: they remain Gentiles The scriptural answer provided by James, Acts 15:13-21 David's kingdom has been restored in the resurrection of Christ with the result that: "all other peoples may now seek the Lord, even the Gentiles over whom my name has been called." Four laws Gentiles must keep (Acts 15:20). These are laws that the book of Leviticus says are obligatory for both Israelites and aliens (=Gentiles). E.g. Lev 17:10 So for Paul, circumcision is also not necessary (Galatians 5:2-15) But Judaism has not been done away with. Romans 11:29 – their calling is "irrevocable" God will somehow arrange the course of human history such that "all Israel will be saved" (11:20). And so, as Father Cantalamessa writes: "For us Christians, Judaism is not 'another religion,' but rather an integral part of our own." The sermon from which this quote is taken, translated from the Italian, is available online here: http://www.yourcatholicvoice.org/insight.php?article=2588 Copyright 2009, by the Contributing Authors. Cite/attribute Resource. Anderson, G. A. (2006, September 07). Lecture 28 Outline - Jewish Law and Early Christianity. Retrieved November 23, 2009, from Notre Dame OpenCourseWare Web site: http://ocw.nd.edu/theology/foundations-of-theology-biblical-and-historical/lectures/lecture-28-outline-jewish-law-and-early. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.