The Pastoral Epistles of Saint Paul
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), part 2
August 17, 2021
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Class #2: 
Galatians 2:15-6:18.
Metropolitan Jonah discusses the Church's historic understanding of "justification", which in the Greek is righteousness. This is to fulfill the will of God by grace in synergy with God. 
Paul argues strongly against a "righteousness" obtained by external observance of the Law of Moses and for a spiritual righteousness (living by the Spirit) that bears the good fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, ... (Gal 5:22). Paul talks about being dead to the law of the flesh (a physical circumcision) and alive by the Spirit (a circumcision of the heart). The whole text is covered and various statements of the Church fathers are discussed. 
Other topics discussed include:
1. The Western bias towards a legal (forensic) understanding of righteousness, and towards penal justice; 
2. The purpose of the Law as a Guardian / Tutor; 
3. The infinite superiority of adoption as sons to being slaves under the law; 
4. The dangers of legalism and becoming a "Super Orthodox Pharisee" --- the Orthodox rules are a means not an end; 
5. The Church as the Israel of God.