Justification by Faith and the Inclusion of Gentiles: A Pauline Theological Synthesis in Historical and Contemporary Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31154/isc12.v12i2.85.321-344Keywords:
Justification, Faith, Gentiles, Inclusion, Contemporary PerspectiveAbstract
This writing explores the delicate link between Paul’s idea that we gain God's approval by believing and the welcoming of those not of Jewish background into the first Christian group. By carefully studying significant writings from Paul, especially the books of Romans and Galatians, along with current research, such as the New Perspective on Paul, this writing suggests that achieving God's approval through belief was more than just a concept about how people are saved. It was also the main religious thought for removing racial and faith-based walls between the Jewish people and those not of Jewish background. The paper investigates how Paul's view of being made right with God came from his Jewish history before he became a follower of Christ. It also considers how his encounter with Christ altered this view, ultimately creating the basis for including those not of Jewish background without needing them to keep Jewish rules. Key points indicate that Paul's idea of being made right by faith acted as both a method to grasp personal salvation and a way to understand who God’s people are together. The study ends by saying that the chief aim of the teaching of being made right with God was to bring in those not of Jewish background, based on God's promises to Abraham and completed by Christ, rather than it being a side effect.
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