Session 3 Galatians Reflection Paper

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Colorado Christian University *

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102A

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Religion

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Feb 20, 2024

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pdf

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5

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1 Session 3 Galatians Reflection Paper Nikki Meier Colorado Christian University BIB-102A-15002-SP24: New Testament Introduction Instructor Cheatham February 4, 2024
2 Session 3 Galatians Reflection Paper We have reached week three of class and continued our study of the New Testament. With so much further information to learn ahead, it has been exciting and renewing to learn both prior knowledge over again and new knowledge of both the New Testament and the Bible as a whole. For this paper, we will focus on our textbook reading and the book of Galatians. Specifically, we will examine what makes the Book of Galatians essential and why it is crucial to the Christian community. First, it will help to understand how the Book of Galatians came about. During this time, there was a considerable controversy between Paul and the opponent in Galatia regarding the Jerusalem Council. This issue was historically crucial as there were high stakes with the issues at hand. With many of the first Christians being Jewish, the issues at hand caused the church to have to reevaluate many things and their ways of thinking and conducting themselves. Continuing now to the purpose that Paul had for his letters. He was looking to take a firm stance against the Judaizers, while at the same time, he emphasized his concern with the Galatian Christians moving to a different gospel. Galatians 1:6 states, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel” (New American Standard Bible, 1960/1995). After this, Paul argues for the gospel of God over the Judaizing message. At this time, Paul makes the importance of the Mosaic Law for salvation known and that his message is a direct one from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12 says, “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which I preached is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” (New American Standard Bible, 1960/1995).
3 Furthermore, Paul had developed three theological arguments, their base being that we are justified by faith; therefore, we should move forth by faith, not law. This week's reading says, “The law can only curse or condemn because no one obeys it entirely. Christ died to deliver us from the law and its inevitable curse” (Gundry, 2012, Chapter 12, Page. 305). Paul warns against liberalism, having to do with us believing that our freedom of law comes with our freedom to sin. However, Paul makes it clear that this is very much not the case, “Christians must conduct themselves according to the Holy Spirit rather than according to the flesh (the sinful urge) (Gundry, 2012, Chapter 12, Page. 306). As Christians, we are to help one another lovingly and to lift and follow those who spread the gospel of God, all per Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law”(New American Standard Bible, 1960/1995). In conclusion, the book of Galatians and its importance for the Christian community helped lead the way for how Christians should conduct themselves. It showed us that law does not only mean having laws but the conduct of behaviors that should be followed. However, the book of Galatians helped to show believers that being overly concerned with the law, in the end, takes away from their devotion to God and that their faith is based solely on the grace and love of God, which is lost when we are focused on the law and our obedience to it, “Legalism also included a striving for merit in one's obedience, over against a recognition that obedience is nothing more than one's duty. The personal dimension of enjoying fellowship with God on the basis of his grace alone is consequently lost” (Gundry, 2012, Chapter 12, Page. 307). Ultimately, the book of Galatians proves the freedom that we as believers have in Christ, and it is the foundation that helps us know the difference between law and faith and the purpose that each of
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