Why Go To School?
But now that faith has come, you are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:25
Tutor – Aside from the fact that education in some countries is compulsory, why would you want to go to school? Do you spend your time in school only to occupy your day? Do you feel as though you are a captive of the system, serving time until you are finally set free to do what you want with your life? I hope not. The purpose of school is not to confine you but rather to educate you. Why? So that when school is over, you have a much clearer understanding about how life works and how to make your way in it. Those who attend only because they have to are usually those who demonstrate their ignorance about living once they are released. For most of us, school is the delightful opportunity of learning.
Apparently, a great number of theologians have forgotten why they went to school. According to their views, the tutor was an evil tyrant from whom you learned nothing at all. He simply kept you chained to the desk until the Messiah arrived and threw open the schoolhouse door so that you could escape to freedom. So, R. Y. K. Fung comments that the preceding verse divides time into two epochs, the first under the imprisoning law and the second under the freedom of Christ. When Christ came, the law was “displaced” by justification by faith. The “dispensation of faith which was inaugurated by the coming of Christ” entails that the “law has ceased to be valid” for believers. In this new dispensation, “believers become sons of God through faith” while the tutorial function of the law is set aside (Fung, Galatians, NICNT, pp. 170-178).
Does this seem reasonable to you? Do you think that God gave us the law simply to keep us in chains until Jesus arrived and set us free from those terrible study hours? Is the law a jailer? Furthermore, does Fung imply that Abraham was not justified by faith because he lived before the dispensation of faith? Was Moses deluded when he said that the law was God’s instruction book of life? Does the history of Israel demonstrate that God had two plans; the first designed to compel everyone to attend school in order to be judged guilty of not getting straight A’s and the second designed to get rid of the school so we could all live unfettered lives?
Fung is a noted scholar. His contribution to the series The New International Commentary on the New Testament demonstrates his inclusion in “conservative” Christian thinking. But his adoption of the two covenant theory prior to exegesis of the text leads to some pretty difficult questions – questions that Paul would have found unbelievably naïve, I’m afraid.
Why do we go to school? To learn, that’s why! Does that mean that learning guarantees you a place in the palace? Of course not. Your place in the palace is only guaranteed by the invitation of the King. It is a gift, not a degree. But did you imagine that all that schooling had no effect on you? Did you think that the law didn’t show you how much you were in need of the gift? If you went to school in order to be invited, and along the way you discovered that all your education only confirmed that an invitation isn’t earned, wouldn’t you have learned something critically important? Of course, you would. You would have learned that the tutor could only prepare you for accepting the gift, not for getting the gift. And isn’t that a good thing?
That’s what Abraham learned. That’s what Moses learned. That’s what we also must learn if we are to be ready when the RSVP arrives. But if you throw out the education when you hear that the King has arrived at the palace, how will you know what to do when the envelope is delivered? Why does Paul say that we are no longer under a tutor (the Greek is paidagogos meaning “one who leads a child”)? Could it be that we have learned that our degrees won’t earn us a place at the banquet table? Could it be that we have grown up, recognizing like Abraham that God gives when we are ready to receive?
Topical Index: dispensation, justification, faith, law, tutor, Galatians 3:25
At first the law was a schoomaster to lead me to Christ, to help me recognize my status before a thrice holy G-d. A bright and holy light revealing all my imperfections. I did not measure up to the high standards placed before me. I read these holy words and saw myself as one who was less than perfect, blemished in every way. A Deliverer, a Redeemer, a Sacrifice was then presented to me. A gift from a holy G-d in the form of Man. Someone in many ways, just like me. Flesh and blood. But this Man was different. He lived a perfect life. A life not like my own. This G-d/Man was tortured and pinioned to a cross. His blood was offered to a holy G-d as an atonement or covering for this sinful man. Death,sin and the grave,and Satan were defeated by this One who claimed to be G-d in flesh. After three days, He rose. All authority was given unto Him. He once again breathed life into man (as in the beginning), saying “receive” the gift of the Ruah haKodesh (the Holy Breath). Now today,”the Teacher” lives inside His Talmudim (the learners), and His Torah (instruction) is our textbook of life.
We now are able to “see” and place high value on every word He has spoken. “It is written”, and “what saith the Scripture” becomes our lifeline. The living G-d incarnates Himself in us and through us to share and declare Jesus is the Christ, the risen, ever present, Son of G-d,daily feeding and caring for His own. Today, through the written word and the living Word, we are daily renewed and transformed into His likeness. His (eternal) words are life and liberty.
Among contemporary philosophers in Europe, Paul has become a kind of culture Hero.
Alain Badiou, for example, is arguing that Paul created the the very notion of what we call the Subject in Western philosophy (as in Subject/Object)
Last night, I came across the following statement by Paul in a great book by Brad Young, Paul the Jewish Theologian.
This type of thinking probably appeals to a lot of diverse groups of highly educated people at this point in history.
Romans 3:30
God is one: and he shall justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith.
Excellent!
Don’t you think these verses show that “faith” is about trusting G-d, and understanding that He created and gave us the “Laws” to show us how to be a blessing to ourselves and our neighbors.
Romans 3
30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.
31Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.
James 2
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
19You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
I agree with what you are saying about these verses and faith/trust.
And think Skip has been teaching us that faith is also about obeying the Law.
Don’t really understand Paul that well.
Michael, When you examine “works” you will find all works pertaining to G-d, ourselves, and our neighbor are addressed in His law, these “laws and ordinances” teach us how to be a blessing to our neighbors. They also show us how we curse ourselves, our families, and those around us.
I have found since I started reading the weekly Parashah and different midrash (studies) on the readings, that the New testament has become much more clear, and with Skip throwing light on some of the Hebrew/Greek translations, we are really beginning to understand in a deeper way. I am feeling more and more connected to my Jewish brothers, through Yeshua Ha Mashiach and His apostles.
Thanks for the information and encouragement Antoinette.
How do I find the weekly Parashah?
Appreciate your support!
Mike
Hi Michael
If you “google” (put in search bar) – This week’s Parshah or Parashah, you will get lots of hits ( check that the date is this year though for current commentaries about the readings. Although I often read previous years commentaries (midrash)as well.
First Fruits of Zion has a PDF for download every year.
http://ffoz.org/_php/download.php?file=TorahPortions_5769.pdf
I just started a website, and have put the weekly torah portion under Parshah Talk in audio format ( the reader really mispronounces Hebrew names) But it’s the best I could come up with of an non-copyright audio bible to use for the segments.I also have a place to comment, and links to teachings I’ve used. I would really love if people would actually use the comments area as a place for us to grow with each other. Just click on my name beside my picture to go to my website. May this a blessing to you. Antoinette
Thanks Antoinette! I’ll check it out when I get a chance 🙂
Hey Michael,
I’m with you. Paul was an enigma until I realized that he is a rabbinic Pharisee and Messianic believer. He writes like a rabbi, thinks like a rabbi and teaches like a rabbi. That fact opens the door to all kinds of resolutions about what Paul is saying. You might try reading the excellent book by Tim Hegg called, “The Letter Writer”.
Skip
Thanks Skip!
I look forward to reading “The Letter Writer.”