GALATIANS: Neither

Of course, we have potentially created a couple problems for a number of readers. Some will cry that, historically speaking, this task of being one body or, as Paul will put it in Ephesians, a “new humanity,” is an unrealistic task and far too difficult. Not only will the world of archaeology uncover some startling pieces of history to prove this wrong, but Paul moves on to address this issue in the concluding chapter of the letter to the Galatians.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Throughout this presentation of an inclusive gospel, Paul is certainly not throwing out our ability to have objective conversations about appropriate behavior and what the way of Jesus looks like in our lives. He encourages us to hold fellow believers accountable and to restore them in gentleness. Of course, he moves on to say what sounds contradictory; he tells the Galatians to carry each other’s burdens, but also says everyone should carry his own burden. What’s up with that?

But closer inspection shows us Paul is actually making a great claim to how these relationships, whether they be with like-minded or different people (i.e., Jew or Gentile), are fostered properly. Immediately after Paul tells us we ought to restore our brothers and sisters in gentleness, he suggests we help others carry their burdens by being concerned not primarily with their behavior, but our own. “Everyone should test their own actions.” Everyone ought to take the list from Galatians 5 and ask themselves if their actions are producing the fruit of the Spirit. This will tell us if we are doing relationship correctly.

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

But Paul’s not done taking every opportunity to remind us about fighting for the place of all people in this Kingdom narrative. He reminds us that in this new Jesus economy, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What matters is whether we are being made into a new creation.

Some will also cry that this inclusive gospel we’ve been talking about sounds like a soft, gutless, everything-goes kind of mentality — that there is no call in this understanding to hold people accountable and no way to establish right and wrong. They’ll say that an inclusive gospel is just another way of describing universalism. And they’ll talk a lot about slippery slopes.

But all of these accusations are based on a fallacy of logic; they create a false dichotomy and dilemmas that aren’t dependent on bifurcated choices. The ideas of inclusion and absolute truth are not mutually exclusive. Just because I believe there is a correct and an incorrect way to bring order to chaos does not mean I cannot fight for the value and place of all people. It does not mean I cannot practice humility and examine the story of people and question my understanding of the Scriptures. It could be that our situation might resemble that of the people of Galatia. It could be that our fundamental beliefs might be structured in a way that more closely resembles Shammai’s thinking than Hillel’s — let alone Jesus.

We might need a reminder that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything.

The only thing that counts is that we are being made into a new creation.