God has given us free-will. Therefore, there is always room for surprises, for unexpected outcomes. This is the fun of creating rebellious automata instead of obedient robots. As a teacher, we can't dictate the path which our students must follow. When you hold group-discussion in class, be prepared to meet unplanned challenges.
Today, in the Ethics and Religious Studies lesson in 7S, we were discussing the case of the author climbing out of the window of the school bus. This story brings out the present situation: we have no way to pass judgment on different schools of ethics. So far, none of them (utilitarianism, Kantian, Aristotelian virtue ethics etc.) is able to command the market. It seems that relativism has won the day. Everything is relative. Every point of view is as good as any other. There is no absolute certainty. Before long, one of the boys who studies Pure Mathematics, Michael was able to show that relativism is self-contradictory. If relativism is right (i.e. any position is as good as any other), then how can this particular position (relativism) guarantee that it is right? Then, the group of girls who study Biology, came up with an evolutionary approach to different schools of ethics. They hypothesized that at present, there are many ethical theories. None of them is able to dominate the market. Relativism best describes the present situation. Through debates and applications, some weaker theories will be eliminated, until the day only a handful stronger theories survive to the end. Then, it would be the dawn of the age of absolutism. I was very much impressed by their reasoning. Evolution theory seems to be able to explain quite a lot of things.
Paul was contrasting faith with law and their differences. Yet, he was able to link them together, in a creative manner. Salvation took place in human history. In time, salvation evolves, firstly law and later grace.
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate;
but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father (Galatians 4:1-2).
Science (Chemistry, Physics etc.) goes through different stages of evolution. Scientists work very hard to come up with a theory of everything. Until then, there are rival competitive theories. Meanwhile, men lived under the law for a while before evolving onto a higher standard. Law became their guardian, their teacher until the Messiah came. Then, men would be free from the law. They would enjoy the freedom, the status of being the adopted sons of God and inherit heaven. This is a quick summary of Paul's theology.
From the Law (Genesis), Paul quoted the story of Isaac and Ishmael to contrast between the son of promise and the son of slavery. Isaac was born of the barren Sarah, therefore the son of promise and Ishmael was born of the slave Hagar and therefore the son of slavery. Again, this seems to be a very Jewish way of thinking --- association, rather than the Greek way of thinking --- analysis. I doubt very much if this was an effective way to persuade the Greek readers in Galatia. Again, the Septuagint Paul quoted were nearly identical. Paul was supposed to be well-versed in the Law. Yet, this time, he lifted texts from the Greek bible instead of translating them in his own words.
εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα, ῥῆξον καὶ βόησον, ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα· ὅτι πολλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐρήμουμᾶλλον ἢ τῆς ἐχούσης τὸν ἄνδρα.
(Galatians 4:27)
Εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα, ῥῆξον καὶ βόησον, ἡ οὐκ ὠδίνουσα, ὅτι πολλὰ τὰ τέκνα τῆς ἐρήμου μᾶλλον ἢ τῆς ἐχούσης τὸν ἄνδρα, εἶπεν γὰρ κύριος. (Isaiah 54:1)
ἔκβαλε τὴν παιδίσκην καὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς· οὐ γὰρ μὴ κληρονομήσει ὁ υἱὸς τῆς παιδίσκης μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ τῆς ἐλευθέρας. (Galatians 4:30)
Ἔκβαλε τὴν παιδίσκην ταύτην καὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς, οὐ γὰρ κληρονομήσει ὁ υἱὸς τῆς παιδίσκης ταύτης μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ μου Ισαακ. (Genesis 21:10)
My dear Advocate, as our understanding grows, we know You better. Grant us the peace which our Lord had promised. We ask this, through Christ. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment