New Zion Call

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Streamlined gospel

I have several writing projects concerning Scriptures in the pipeline. One I hope to do soon is a quick and clean account of what you need to know about being born again.

Here's the plan: The Gospel of John, as rewritten by yours truly. That is to be interspersed with sayings of Jesus, set off in brackets or otherwise, from the synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Accompanying that will be the seven letters of Paul on which there is no disagreement as to authorship -- also rephrased by Y.T. in modern wording. (I can't very well use one of the modern English translations, as these are all protected by copyright.)

Last will be the book known as Hebrews, as it is obviously addressed to Jews. Yet its explanations to Jews shine out to the rest of us. Again, a rewrite by Y.T.

The seven books for which Paul's authorship is generally undisputed are Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philemon, Galatians, Philippians and 1 Thessalonians. Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus are under a cloud as to the real author.

Scholars are sharply divided on whether Paul wrote Colossians and 2 Thessalonians. The other books, Ephesians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus are widely understood to have been written after Paul's time. However, a caveat: we know from Paul himself that the poor-sighted apostle sometimes used assistants to write his letters for him. So, in some cases, it is possible these amanuenses (scribes) polished up his language, giving his letter a more formal tone than is found in the ones which are closer to his usual style.

Even so, Ephesians 2:8-9 not only contains sound doctrine, it reflects Paul's teaching on grace. So I may, in fact, include these non-Pauline books.

8 For by grace are you saved through faith. You did not do it yourself. It is the gift of God,

9 not the result of human actions -- in case anyone is boastful.

In fact, in general, I have no arguments with the theological merit of these questioned writings, but as I wish to present a streamlined gospel, why include them? Well, not sure but am leaning toward inclusion of all the disputed books.

New Zion Call

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Streamlined gospel

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Mulling a commentary on <i>Hebrews</i>

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