@Pinochet73,
Pinochet73;12313 wrote:Volunteer,
That was written by Paul. Paul didn't know Jesus. He converted after Jesus died. Yes, he was an important Christian, but he wasn't Jesus, nor even one of the original apostles. I don't view his theological work as the foundation of Christianity. It's part of that foundation, but only a part. Luther went way too far in developing a new, Bible-based theology, stemming from his inappropriate isolation of a narrow slice of Pauline theology. Luther insisted the Bible was the only source of religious authority, yet he ignored those parts of the New Testament that offset Paul, such as The Book of James. Luther, the father of Bible Christianity, felt no obligation to be rational or honest in his scholarship. He based everything on the Bible, yet hated and ignored much of it. He was illogical, and driven by personal demons.
Pinochet73,
I wasn't talking about Martin Luther. As far as I know he wasn't around till well after the Biblical canon was approved by the Church.
How about John? If Jews are not retained as part of the vine or tree, what does the following mean?
Revelation 7, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, restraining the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel rise up from the east, who had the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were empowered to harm the earth and the sea: "Don't harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the slaves of our God on their foreheads."
And I heard the number of those who were sealed:
144,000 sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 sealed from the tribe of Judah,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 sealed from the tribe of Benjamin.”
Where do Messianic Jews fit in your framework? Aren't we called to be light and salt, to call others out of darkness?
1 Peter 4:7-11, “Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer. Above all, keep your love for one another at full strength, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, [his speech should be] like the oracles of God; if anyone serves, [his service should be] from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance."