Christopher Kou’s Reviews > Delivered from the Elements of the World: Atonement, Justification, Mission > Status Update

Mmmmm . . . "faith of Christ" as subjective genitive. Okay, sure. "Faith" in almost name-like usage to refer to Jesus. Wow, that's neat. "Justification by Faith" as synonymous with "justification coming through the faithful one, Jesus Christ." Mind blowing.

"Works of the Law" as "what the Torah does," namely it kills the flesh, and has no power to give life in the Spirit. An interesting take on the "works of the Law" phrase that seems to work well and is an interesting alternative to either the "moral requirements" broadly considered or "ethnic boundary markers" which is too narrow. This chapter gets me excited for Leithart's forthcoming Leviticus commentary.

"Works of the Law" as "what the Torah does," namely it kills the flesh, and has no power to give life in the Spirit. An interesting take on the "works of the Law" phrase that seems to work well and is an interesting alternative to either the "moral requirements" broadly considered or "ethnic boundary markers" which is too narrow a definition.

The chapter on "flesh" is especially helpful for considering the significance and meaning of God's declaration in Genesis 6:3, and the context surrounding that entire episode.

The fictionalized travelogue of the hypothetical Jew visiting Egypt, Babylon, and Athens is an engaging and informative way to paint a broad picture of the similarities and differences between how the stoicheia ruled in different cultures. The bibliography at the end of the chapter is also very useful.

Extremely thought provoking studies in the philology of physis and stoicheia, and their usage by Paul. "Nature" implies law and order. Stoicheia is the elements of the old creation, the rites and laws of a world before the coming of faith in Jesus Christ.