#124 - Medieval questions and the subject of Galatians
Jun 30, 2022
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This podcast features a video study course on Galatians by NT Wright, exploring the questions addressed in Scripture and the challenge of misinterpretation. It discusses the historical context of Galatians and Martin Luther's interpretation, emphasizes the clash between Jesus, Paul, and their opponents regarding God's kingdom, and explores the theme of the present evil age and the age to come. It also delves into Paul's understanding of two ages, God's rescue of Israel, and the problem of sin.
The clash in Galatians revolved around how God's kingdom would come on earth as in heaven.
Paul reframes Galatians within the story of the Jewish people, highlighting the clash between the present age and the age to come.
Deep dives
Understanding the Two Ages
Paul emphasizes the two ages: the present evil age and the age to come. The Jews of the first century, including Paul, believed that the present evil age would be overcome by a new Exodus that would usher in the time of new creation. The clash between Jesus, Paul, and their opponents in Galatians centered around how God's kingdom would come on earth as in heaven.
The Jewish Context of Galatians
To understand Galatians, it is crucial to grasp its Jewish context. Paul reframes Galatians within the story of the Jewish people, going back to Abraham and forward to new creation. The clash between Jesus, Paul, and the Pharisees was about how the present age would give way to the age to come. The Western Church's reading of Galatians has often overlooked this Jewish framework.
Reimagining the Two Ages through Jesus
Paul reconceives the two ages around Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus has inaugurated the new age, and his followers belong to it, even though the old age still exists. The key question for Paul and devout Pharisees was not about getting to heaven when one dies, but about how God would reveal his covenant faithfulness and transform creation through Israel's faithfulness to the Torah. Sin, particularly idolatry, was seen as the underlying problem that needed to be addressed to overcome Israel's years of exile.