04-21-2013, 08:56 PM
Recently I have been delighting in paradox - the paradox of orthodoxy, of the Faith, and the Church. But this time, it's the paradox of St. Paul.
I grew up with Saint Paul. I was an Evangelical Protestant from my youth till about 17, and read his letters vigorously; memorized Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 13. Apparently I missed something important in his discussion of the Jews. This requires preface.
I recently read/heard about Nostra Aetate's claim that the Jews do not bear collective responsibility for the Crucifixion. This was odd, I thought, because in the Gospel accounts the chief priests and Pharisees say, "His blood be on our head and on our children", and Christ's own words to Pilate: "He who hath delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin." These could be interpreted to exclude Jews, I thought. What's the deal? Obviously the solution is simple: a) Christ forgave His murderers. If the Jews (meaning the Temple aristocracy) were responsible for His death, He has forgiven them; b) a curse in the Old Testament only lasts "unto the third or fourth generation", so even if a) is true and b) is not, the collective Jews today would not be responsible for the Passion. c) chiefly responsible for the Passion are "the sins of all men, from Adam's fall to the end of time," as is written in the Roman Catechism. d) the blood of Christ, unlike Abel's, cries out not for vengeance, but reconciliation; it is an inexhaustible fount of mercy, not a plea for divine wrathful justice. In these senses then, Nostra Aetate is entirely correct.
However, it gets crazier. Romans 11.25-29 reads,
This further seems to mean that the Jews are still God's Chosen People, and that He has not abandoned them, but will safeguard them all unto salvation! Their dignity as the Chosen People is not removed, but confirmed under the divine promise of the sacred scriptures. This puts my perspective of the Jews in a new light, even the modern nation of Israel.
I grew up with Saint Paul. I was an Evangelical Protestant from my youth till about 17, and read his letters vigorously; memorized Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 13. Apparently I missed something important in his discussion of the Jews. This requires preface.
I recently read/heard about Nostra Aetate's claim that the Jews do not bear collective responsibility for the Crucifixion. This was odd, I thought, because in the Gospel accounts the chief priests and Pharisees say, "His blood be on our head and on our children", and Christ's own words to Pilate: "He who hath delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin." These could be interpreted to exclude Jews, I thought. What's the deal? Obviously the solution is simple: a) Christ forgave His murderers. If the Jews (meaning the Temple aristocracy) were responsible for His death, He has forgiven them; b) a curse in the Old Testament only lasts "unto the third or fourth generation", so even if a) is true and b) is not, the collective Jews today would not be responsible for the Passion. c) chiefly responsible for the Passion are "the sins of all men, from Adam's fall to the end of time," as is written in the Roman Catechism. d) the blood of Christ, unlike Abel's, cries out not for vengeance, but reconciliation; it is an inexhaustible fount of mercy, not a plea for divine wrathful justice. In these senses then, Nostra Aetate is entirely correct.
However, it gets crazier. Romans 11.25-29 reads,
Quote:Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with themStunning. As I read this, once the full number of the Gentiles has entered the Church, the Jews will be freed of their hardened heart and recognize with new eyes Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Aquinas' commentary on Romans seems to confirm this interpretation: cf. http://nvjournal.net/files/Aquinas_on_Romans.pdf (Ctl+F search '915' once the document loads)
when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers, for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
This further seems to mean that the Jews are still God's Chosen People, and that He has not abandoned them, but will safeguard them all unto salvation! Their dignity as the Chosen People is not removed, but confirmed under the divine promise of the sacred scriptures. This puts my perspective of the Jews in a new light, even the modern nation of Israel.