Paul Goes Low
Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. – Philippians 3:2-3 (NRSV)
Not long ago, a presidential candidate claimed that (legal) immigrants were eating dogs and that students were receiving gender reassignment surgery in schools. These ludicrous, as well as hateful, anti-trans and anti-immigrant statements nevertheless resonated with scores of voters.
Likewise, Paul spoke disparagingly of “dog” opponents who “mutilate the flesh.” Paul was not the only Jewish Christian whirling around the Mediterranean making converts among the Gentiles. There were others who, unlike Paul, required converts to become Jews before becoming Christians. For men, that meant circumcision, which was a disincentive, to put it mildly.
Besides the vexation it posed to male recruits, Paul found circumcision unnecessary. Faith, according to Paul, was the only thing needed. I think he could have made the point without descending into rhetoric that was anti-Jewish, if not anti-Semitic.
Sadly, the impulse to add obligations for salvation (faith plus this or that) keeps popping up. Circumcision is no longer a prerequisite for Christians, but some church leaders now demand a change in sexual orientation or a denunciation of non-gender-conforming identities. Others require re-baptism. Still others call for a whopping donation to secure a place among the saved.
For Paul, all that mattered was faith expressing itself through love. Love is the only evidence of faith we need.
Prayer
Thanks for making the big stuff simple.
About the AuthorMatt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.