Monday, October 6, 2014

Why I Won't Believe in Two Ways to God

I have heard it said that Paul affirms two ways to God- the Old Covenant for the Jews and Christ for the Gentiles. (This view is defended by Romans 11 and various other ideas from Paul's letters.) Setting Paul aside (it's a debate for another time), here are reasons why I refuse to believe it:

1. If God sent His Son to die on the cross, why would He send Him for only 3/4 of the population (or whatever the fraction is of Gentiles over Jews)? If God demands 100% of ourselves to serve Him (the Bible says He will spew us out if we're lukewarm), then why not die for 100% of the population of the earth? Why not make Gentiles become Jews? Okay, so the law is a curse to Gentiles. Then why not make it so it's not? Why send your son to carry sins and die if it's not for everyone? Why take the hardest route possible for salvation for Gentiles? 

2. Okay, so let's say it was just for Gentiles. Then why on earth would His disciples preach about Him and convert people to follow Christ- including fellow Jews? Why not just follow the Torah if that's all is required of Jews? Look at Paul himself. He was a devout Jew, Pharisee even, who ended up following Christ. What's the point if Jesus didn't die for Jews? Note the Great Commission. Who was that given to? Jews

3. If it's not for Jews, then why on earth would Jesus be born into a Jewish nation? Why not be born among the pagans? Why even bother the Jews? Why even perform miracles, choose disciples, and teach among Jews? 

4. Paul says not to boast. Honestly, if Jesus did come just for the Gentiles, then we really would have something to boast about. I mean look at us! We don't have to do anything! All we have to do is believe on Jesus and follow after Him! Granted, that often comes with struggles and sacrifices, but really, is it so bad? Look at the Jews. They have to follow the Torah and circumcision. Honestly I feel like that's much more work than we Gentiles have to do. 

5. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6).

These are reasons why I cannot believe in two ways to God. I do not believe Jews have a different way than Gentiles. I do not believe Paul is saying that either. Perhaps it's just my traditional upbringing, but having two separate ways makes no sense to me and creates so many different questions in my head. If Jesus didn't die for everyone, then why do we even have the Bible? Why do we even have the Old Testament? Why do we care about the Jewish nation? Because they're God's chosen people? I believe we have the Bible because it shows us where we came from. It shows us how God started with the Jewish nation, sent Christ to redeem the Jews from their sin as the Ultimate Sacrifice, then sent the disciples to reach everyone- including Gentiles. I'm sure all of my reasons could be refuted in some way. And that's okay, but I know what ground I stand on. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  ~John 3:16

No comments:

Post a Comment