Romans 11:
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Is Judaism still on the inside or has it placed itself outside of the "wideness in God's mercy?" The older Martin Luther became impatient with Jews who resisted the call of the gospel and uttered outrageous slurs against them. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Lutheran denomination to which I belong, took much needed action in 1994, repudiating this aspect of the reformer's writings (you can find the Declaration at ELCA.org). For all that Luther has taught us, he seems in this instance to have slipped from his signature emphasis on the Theology of the Cross (where struggle remains) and settled for a Theology of Glory (where we can access all the answers this side of the second coming).
Romans 9-11 reflects a deep, internal struggle in the heart of St. Paul--how to regard his own people who do not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Chapter 11 starts with Paul's bold affirmation: "God has not rejected his people." For us, that means that Judaism is not to be regarded as a faith that has outlived its usefulness, but rather as a living faith, standing side by side with us in a hostile world. There's a "wideness in God's mercy" that will never abandon the original covenant people. By grace it's a mercy that is extended to us, too!
(From the Bidding Prayer for Good Friday, where we "pray for the Jewish people, the first to hear the word of God"): Almighty and eternal God, long ago you gave your promise to Abraham and your teaching to Moses. Hear our prayers that the people you called and elected as your own may receive the fulfillment of the covenant's promises. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Paul D. Opsahl, '60
Pastor Emeritus, Community Lutheran Church, Sterling, Virginia
Romans 11:1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2a God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew...
29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience,
31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.
32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all. (New Revised Standard Version)
1 “In that case, I say, isn’t it that God has repudiated his people?” Heaven forbid! For I myself am a son of Isra’el, from the seed of Avraham,[Romans 11:1 2 Chronicles 20:7, Psalm 105:6] of the tribe of Binyamin. 2 God has not repudiated his people,[
, 29 for God’s free gifts and his calling are irrevocable. 30 Just as you yourselves were disobedient to God before but have received mercy now because of Isra’el’s disobedience; 31 so also Isra’el has been disobedient now, so that by your showing them the same mercy that God has shown you, they too may now receive God’s mercy. 32 For God has shut up all mankind together in disobedience, in order that he might show mercy to all.(Complete Jewish Bible)
Romans 11:2 1 Samuel 12:22, Psalm 94:14
] whom he chose in advance. Or don’t you know what the Tanakh says about Eliyahu? He pleads with God against Isra’el,-------
Is Judaism still on the inside or has it placed itself outside of the "wideness in God's mercy?" The older Martin Luther became impatient with Jews who resisted the call of the gospel and uttered outrageous slurs against them. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Lutheran denomination to which I belong, took much needed action in 1994, repudiating this aspect of the reformer's writings (you can find the Declaration at ELCA.org). For all that Luther has taught us, he seems in this instance to have slipped from his signature emphasis on the Theology of the Cross (where struggle remains) and settled for a Theology of Glory (where we can access all the answers this side of the second coming).
Romans 9-11 reflects a deep, internal struggle in the heart of St. Paul--how to regard his own people who do not acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Chapter 11 starts with Paul's bold affirmation: "God has not rejected his people." For us, that means that Judaism is not to be regarded as a faith that has outlived its usefulness, but rather as a living faith, standing side by side with us in a hostile world. There's a "wideness in God's mercy" that will never abandon the original covenant people. By grace it's a mercy that is extended to us, too!
(From the Bidding Prayer for Good Friday, where we "pray for the Jewish people, the first to hear the word of God"): Almighty and eternal God, long ago you gave your promise to Abraham and your teaching to Moses. Hear our prayers that the people you called and elected as your own may receive the fulfillment of the covenant's promises. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Paul D. Opsahl, '60
Pastor Emeritus, Community Lutheran Church, Sterling, Virginia
Romans 11:1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2a God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew...
29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience,
31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy.
32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all. (New Revised Standard Version)
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