It’s
Foggy Up Here - If Paul has here finally brought us to the summit of his
discussion about the Jews, the Gospel, and salvation, the mountaintop is
fogged over. Lots of confusion in chps. 9-11. Two views radically interpret
the teaching:
1) dispensational theology insists that Paul says the Jews at the
end of the world will be saved. The creation of the state of Israel in 1947 is
seen by this group as fulfillment of prophecy and confirmation of Paul’s
words.
2) Two-covenant theory was strongly influenced by the horrific
treatment of the Jews in WW II and gave rise to the idea that Christianity
“superceded” Judaism, or that both Christianity and Judaism follow
parallel tracks of God’s mercy. Such a view sustains the hope for universal
salvation-to the Jew 1st, and also to the gentile.
The Argument -
The detailed argument of Romans 9-11 works through the key issue that
faced Paul, the issue of unbelieving Jews and of God’s faithfulness to the
age-old promises. But the same argument could be applied [to creation] . . .
Starting from the promises to redeem the whole creation (8:18-27), one could
ask the equivalent question and work through to a similar answer: has God
forgotten the promise to creation? NO, the argument would run if we
constructed it in parallel to Romans 9-11, because the promise always
envisaged death and rebirth. There are already, however, signs of rebirth,
of healing and new life, and God intends that there should be more of them .
. . Indeed, the categories of new covenant and redemption developed by Paul
in these chapters could well prove valuable in thinking through several
similar or related issues.
Describe a time when
you have felt rejected by others. What did you learn from that experience?
On what basis is Paul chosen (vs. 5-6)? What hope does Paul have for his
own people through mercy being shared with gentiles?
How does this “teaching” reflect the importance of telling our stories
with sensitivity as well as accuracy?
I can offer no homily on
this passage, nor have I found a good homily on Romans 11 in print to share
with you. Wrestle with this passage and let it wrestle with you. God’s
passion for creation and all humanity is to demonstrate generous mercy,
surprising grace, and transforming love.
