From: George Murphy (gmurphy@raex.com)
Date: Tue Jul 29 2003 - 16:38:57 EDT
RFaussette@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 7/29/03 6:53:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time, gmurphy@raex.com
> writes:
>
> > Romans 3:20 and Galatians 3:21-22. I could also refer to Romans 3:27-28,
> > Ephesians 2:8, and numerous other passages.
> >
> >
>
> romans 3:20 - No human beingt can be justified in the sight of God for having
> kept the law: law brings only the consciousness of sin.
>
> I agree - the internal temple of the heart is not the same as the law of the
> temple. I said that. No argument there.
>
> Galatians 3:21-22
>
> Will you not listen to what the Law says?
>
> fine - I drew the distinction between the law of the temple and the law
> written on one's heart. You choose not to recognize that I made that distinction.
> whether it's handed down by a priest or emanates from within its the same law
> only emanating from within prevents the law from being preverted by a corrupt
> priesthood.
> The law was not abandoned by Jesus. It was fulfilled by being internalized.
> He is priest/king and functions without an external temple or priests and
> kings.
>
> romans 3:27-28
> For our argument is that a man is justified by faith quite apart from
> success in keeping the Law.
>
> But george only a few lines later (31) it reads: DOES THIS MEAN THAT WE ARE
> USING FAITH TO UNDERMINE LAW? BY NO MEANS: WE ARE PLACING LAW ITSELF ON A
> FIRMER FOOTING.
>
> Need I continue with ephesians. what are the other passages?
The question wasn't whether or not the law is abolished or written on the heart
of believers but whether or not one "gets to heaven" - whether or not one is
justified, or saved - via law. & it is misses the point to say "OK, we're not justified
by works of "the law of the temple" or whatever but by works of some other law. Paul's
strictures against salvation through law refer to law-like "Thou shalt/thou shalt not"
structures in general. In Romans 3:28 people are said to be justified by faith "apart
from works of law" [choris ergon nomou] - not of "the law."
Consistently with your usual level of care in reading what I write, you refer to
the wrong chapter of Galatians - 4 instead of 3! If you'll look at 3:21-22 you'll see
that it says, "If a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would
indeed be by the law. But the scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was
promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." The structure
is similar to that of Rom.3:19-28. The law of God indeed has a proper function in
showing sinners their need for salvation in Christ, which is given freely to faith.
& this has nothing to do with "corrupt priesthood" &c. The basic problem is
_our_ corruption, & the theological function of the law is to point that out ruthlessly.
Yes, you do need to "continue with Ephesians." You need to _read_ it and pay
attention to what it actually says, not try to figure out some way of making it say "not
these works but some other works, not this law but that law" &c. That kind of thing is
just a subterfuge to enable us to believe that we somehow merit salvation.
Shalom,
George
George L. Murphy
gmurphy@raex.com
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
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