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| We are not using this book above, but it shares how we can look at the New Testament and the Bible differently |
Today, 10/25/2021, was the third meeting of the class I am facilitating for Temple Israel in Long Beach: New Testament From a Jewish Point of View.
We read Romans Chapter 3 and Romans Chapter 4.
Again, although only a small group of us attended (me, Karen, Dave, David, and Cindy), we had a very interesting and lively discussion and learned a lot.
The main thing I learned (with David’s help and explanations) was that Paul who was writing the Romans who wanted to follow Jesus were given the message that they didn’t have to become Jewish (through circumcision) in order to do so. They could become Jewish (get circumcised) if they wanted to, but it was not required. Paul recommended that Jews continue to be Jewish (get circumcised).
God is not just the god of the Jews. David acknowledged that Paul did not see gentiles or Jews as different.
We learned that the payment for sin (which everyone does) according to Paul is simply believing in Jesus. Yom Kippur and all that is associated with atonement is not necessary in order to be “saved.” David shared that Christians believe Jesus is the road to forgiveness.
Karen shared that sin originated with Adam and Eve and is actually a Jewish belief.
Chapter 4 also introduces Abraham for the first time. Examples of his faith make up most of that chapter. Karen also shared about Abraham having a child when he was 100 years old when he should have been when he was nearing the end of life. She said that is noted in the Bible.
This was Cindy’s first time joining us. She had some wonderful thoughts about the state of the world today and how religion and seeking or doing good can impact everyone. I mentioned that the world seems very different than it did 50, 60, or 70 years ago and it is hard to imagine how at the time of Paul what the people seeking God and Jesus must have wanted for their lives.
David read the notes from the Jewish Annotated New Testament and Dave read the grey box that described that God is one for all humanity.
Again, if anyone has anything to add, please comment. I will continue to try to write out these summaries every week since there is so much to learn and there is no way I can remember it unless I write it down!
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