Opening Salvation's Door: Acts 10:35 and Salvation in Other Religions (original) (raw)
Interpreting Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16
Conspectus, 2012
The paper challenges the traditional Christian interpretation of Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9–16. The text, in its biblical context, and together with related developments in early church history, point conclusively to a single interpretation: that the Gentiles have been cleansed by God. The vision does not nullify Jewish dietary laws or the Mosaic Law in general, since there is no support for the interpretation that the vision also pertains to the cleansing of unclean food. This conclusion contradicts the traditional Christian interpretation that the vision has a two-fold meaning, though it is not unique in the literature. The main implication is that Christians need to reassess their reading of the New Testament, and especially Paul, on the Law, in the light of recent literature which challenges traditional interpretations and posits various solutions to age-old disputes.
Jurnalul Libertății de Conștiință, 2019
Although Christian theologians have often reflected on the theme of the image of God in the human being over the centuries, the history of Christianity is marked by episodes and incidents that have proven that human dignity that derives from the image of God is not an easy concept to assimilate. The inter-denominational tensions in Romania in the first two decades after the Revolution, the interethnic tensions in certain areas of the country, the ethnocentric prejudices and the acute problem of migration from the Middle East are just a few recent or current indicators that the universal Church of Christ is still in need of biblical and theological reflection on the subject of human dignity. In this article, I intend to bring to the reader's attention one of the most relevant New Testament episodes for the aforementioned subject. It’s the episode of the conversion to the Christian faith of the first group of non-Jews – the Roman centurion Cornelius and his family – through the evangelistic undertaking of the apostle Peter, reported in the Acts of the Apostles 10:1–11:18. Through my reflection on this passage I will seek first to interpret it in a way that is relevant for the East-European context, and then to distill some of its major theological ideas regarding human dignity.
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN PAUL
The righteousness of God (δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ) is revealed in the gospel which brings salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16-17). In Romans 3:21-26, Paul explains that this righteousness of God, as witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, comes to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Christ atoned for the sins of the children of God by shedding his blood (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14). By the grace of God, believers in Jesus Christ are justified freely through the forgiveness of sins that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:24). In short, the term δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ correlates with faith and atonement in Jesus Christ. Moreover, it originates in certain antecedent term (s) in the Old Testament (specifically the Law and the Prophets). Therefore, in the content of the Law and the Prophets, the antecedent term for δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ must be identified and explained in terms of faith and atonement in Jesus the Messiah.
The Expectation of Grace: Paul on Salvation as Benefaction...
This article discusses "grace" with a view to interpreting God as a benefactor (in light of Seneca and ancient patron-client relationships) who bestows favors on the early followers of Christ s. The perspective sheds light on Paul's word to the Corinthians that they should not receive God's grace in vain (2 Cor 6:1), a warning that creates tensions for interpreters who assume that divine grace is freely given without expecting anything in return. This study shows that the system of gift giving and reciprocity, especially in conversation with Seneca, helps alleviate the tensions. It elaborates on gratitude as the proper human response to divine gift giving and undesirable reprisals as the appropriate consequence for ingratitude.