Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 76 No. 3, 2006.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
Abraham in the Romans 9-11. God's Consistency in the Offer and Mode of Salvation for all of Mankind
Marinko Vidović
orcid.org/0000-0003-0746-023X
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu, Split, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Beginning with the structural problems of these three chapters in the Epistle to the Romans, the author shows, first of all, how well they are weaved into the Epistle by giving a rhetorical analysis of the text. He tries to show and prove that these chapters, are only well inserted in the entire Epistle, but that they infact, represent its dogmatic culmination. Namely, many questions that appear in Paul's argumentations and lectures in the first eight chapters have not been solved and the author attempts here to do so. Based on everything that the Apostle Paul said in the text to the eighth chapter, it seems that a problem of the role of lsrael in the God's concept of salvation has appeared, that is, the problem of God's salvational actions towards mankind. Paul, the Apostle solves this problem gradually in three argumented steps: firstly, proving that God is true to his word and keeps his promise, secondly, the present condition in which Israel is now due to having refused God's offer which had been given through Christ, and thirdly, the mysterious ways in which God will bring salvation even to Israel as it is. Paul's arguments are quite complex and full of holy biblical themes from the Old Testament. Where he manages, by means of slight variations and interpretation that is illuminated by faith in Christ, showing that God is consistent in offering salvation to everyone and under the same conditions. The author tries to trace the Apostle's arguments and conveys the logic of his explication.
Supporting his thesis, Paul the Apostle refers particularly to the figure of Abraham: in 9:7 and 11:1. In the both texts Abraham is closely connected with the notion of his descendants (σπέρμα). It is with his figure that Paul starts the first and the last phase of argumentation. This is proof of the consistence and effectiveness of God's word and God's plans and proof of Israel's positive role on the one side and its hardening on the other. Having chosen Abraham, as well as in other choices he has made, God declared the importance of his unmerited mercy, which is justly and reasonably applied to everyone equally, and the aim of which is to save everyone in the same way and under the same conditions. If there is any joyful news at all, than this must be it and as such, it absolutely needs to be announced. Namely, it is in Jesus Christ, in his cross infact - which is really the Gospel according to Paul — that God has shown the strength of his impartial mercy to save everyone who believes, without distinction. Thus God's plan of salvation forms an arch stretching from Abraham to Christ and it has always been stable, and consistent and never diminishes. Besides God, who has always been the leading protagonist in it there have always been others beside him. They are the chosen people who serve God to accomplish his goal of merciful salvation for everyone. Choosing Abraham, whose physical descendants include Paul, is proof of divine mercy towards all the mankind, his consistence and guarantee of his universal will to save mankind, God relies upon Abraham's physical descendents, who regardless of temporary hardening will not be excluded from God's salvation despite not being of the chosen people.
In these chapters Paul uses the figure of Abraham to prove God's impartial fairness, his mercy, and his consistence in his promise to save everyone in the same way and under the same conditions. Namely, it can be obtained if believers rely on God'spromise undeservedly offered to everyone even before any move from their side has been made. Abraham is proof of the fact that God neither has refused nor can refuse his chosen people. The salvation of that people depends on how much they confide in God's offer and promise. Through Abraham and his descendants Paul shows and justifies God's freedom of choice, which alters privileges and human rights and expectations. According to Paul the Apostle, Abraham carries a guarantee of irrevocability of God's plan, a guarantee of a binding promise as well as his consistency in his offer and mode of salvation for all of mankind.
Ključne riječi
Abraham; Israel; Paul; Epistle to the Romans
Hrčak ID:
23832
URI
Datum izdavanja:
18.1.2007.
Posjeta: 1.776 *