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Today was quite fun! Karen, Dave, Jo Ann, David, Robin, Cindy, and Dan attended.
We first read Romans chapter six and then we read the introduction to the book of Romans that is included in the Jewish Annotated New Testament on pages 285 and 286.
All sorts of subjects were brought up and we discussed those things in a lively Jewish style! I like it that we don’t have to wait our turn or mute ourselves in order to share our thoughts and I am committed to keeping this style of learning and discussing. Everyone’s thoughts are so important.
After we read today’s chapter in Romans, Dave pretty much summarized Romans 6. Paul said that following Jesus frees from sin and gains eternal life.
We read all three sections included in the introduction to the book in Romans in the Jewish Annotated New Testament. Much of our discussion today was about who this book was written to: gentiles in Rome who wanted to be part of a religious community. The Romans of the time may have been intrigued with the Jewish community. Paul told them they did not need to become Jews (get circumcised) in order to follow Christ, but that they should understand the Jewish community and try to be part of it.
Cindy mentioned that today’s religions like Unity and the Center for Spiritual Living embrace the idea of community just like we do in the reform Jewish community. Jo Ann reflected on the sense of community we have at Temple Israel and remembered the sense of community she felt when she and her husband shared a house at the beginning of their marriage.
David remembered his high school days in Berkeley (before hippies) where he met Fringies (people that hung around the colleges, but didn’t attend classes) who wanted to be part of the college community without going to college.
We talked about how excited Paul was about this new religion. He believed that it would be an entirely new religion that would completely take over and Judaism would fade away. I mentioned that did not happen.
Dan mentioned that when these books were written there were not very many Christians. Christianity was not a separate religion yet.
Karen discussed that Christians are not holy. She said they still sin as do all of us. She shared that the Old Testament is the root of New Testament.
Robin said that Paul felt that for Judaism to be complete Jews needed to embrace Jesus. We discussed the idea of Completed Jew (a term sometimes used by Christians) which is a term that can sound offensive. Karen said that Jews who believe in Jesus prefer using the term “Believer” which is less offensive.
We discussed the idea of evil persons standing behind religion as a defense for their conduct. We all agreed that Hitler was religious but not holy evidenced by the mass killings that he ordered.
There was an enlightening discussion of Revelation (written by John) and end of world events as well as a time of trial and trouble. Karen shared that she believes that we know not the day or hour but must remain alert. Jo Ann shared an amusing story of how she really thought her husband was raptured and disappeared when they were young! (She was even looking inside drawers and under the bed for a remnant of his clothes!)
David gave us insight into history of the Christian religion. There were several movements.
We agreed to finish Romans. We also realize that to using the Jewish Annotated New Testament for this study is useful, but those in this group who don’t want to purchase it can still get by with any New Testament.
Again, please add anything you can remember we discussed to this summary.
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