This interpretation would seem to give less support to the use of the passage to view infant baptism and equivalent to circumcision in bringing the child into the covenant community. Calvin argued they were the same, apart from the "relatively minor" (!) difference in outward act. I have always found this a bit dubious. Your thoughts?
Ruth, very true, that is one way to take it. Some think though that baptism is the symbol of circumcision of the heart, not a New Covenant equivalent of circumcision. So depends on who you ask.
"I think this “circumcision” is a circumcision of the heart performed by the Messiah upon his people!"
I fully agree with that. If we are a new creation in Christ, the flesh is cut away such that we are truly new, albeit still facing temptations from that cut away flesh. So we are not dual natured or schizophrenic! I think the baptism reference is a parallel of the same truth.
I am really enjoying Lexham Interpreter's Translation of Romans. It seems to me that you've mentioned that Colossians is next - any ideas when it would be available?
This interpretation would seem to give less support to the use of the passage to view infant baptism and equivalent to circumcision in bringing the child into the covenant community. Calvin argued they were the same, apart from the "relatively minor" (!) difference in outward act. I have always found this a bit dubious. Your thoughts?
Ruth, very true, that is one way to take it. Some think though that baptism is the symbol of circumcision of the heart, not a New Covenant equivalent of circumcision. So depends on who you ask.
"I think this “circumcision” is a circumcision of the heart performed by the Messiah upon his people!"
I fully agree with that. If we are a new creation in Christ, the flesh is cut away such that we are truly new, albeit still facing temptations from that cut away flesh. So we are not dual natured or schizophrenic! I think the baptism reference is a parallel of the same truth.
“I think this “circumcision” is a circumcision of the heart performed by the Messiah upon his people!”
Amen Mike!
Now, if we could only find Paul’s cover of “Total Eclipse of the Heart”. 🎶Turn around, Sad-du-cees🎶
Thank you.
I am really enjoying Lexham Interpreter's Translation of Romans. It seems to me that you've mentioned that Colossians is next - any ideas when it would be available?
Thanks.
Peter