Job vs Paul

[Terrance]

Doug Millison wrote:
> 
> --- Terrance <lycidas2 at earthlink.net> wrote:
> >
> > OT man (Job)
> 
> I don't think you can successfully defend an argument
> that posits any sort of monolithic "OT man" -- the Old
> Testament books are written over a period of
> centuries, and pull together many different kinds of
> cultural experiences, not to mention the presence of
> many important women in the narratives.

You are correct. However, my point remains unchallenged by your
objection. My point is not that there is any sort of monolithic OT man. 

Of course, my silly OT=Job=Hebraic Faith vs NT=Paul=Christianity is
silly and 
a bit too simple for this list, but I'm not feeling up to writing a book
on the bible today. Hell, I gotta go back to lurking now cause I gotta
run to class and my wife is buzzing the door and she doesn't look too
pleased. 


> 
> In general, far-reaching Old Testament v New
> Testatment generalizations fall apart rather quickly
> on closer inspection.

Are there any far-reaching generalizations that don't fall apart rather
quickly on closer examination? I can't think of any. 

However, the OT authors were ignorant of the Greeks and the NT authors
were influenced and challenged by them. The historical fact that
Christianity arose in a world that already knew about REASON through the
Greeks distinguishes Christian faith from the Hebraic faith of the Old
Testament. 


> 
> >The
> > OT God is very unpredictable and doesn't need reason
> > to justify his ways
> > to men.
> 
> Read the Genesis story of Abraham reasoning with God
> about how many innocent people must be found in Sodom
> in order for God to spare the city.

Yes, it's not that OT characters lack reason or the rational faculty or
the ability to reason with god or anyone they meet. Read the NT
theologians, particularly the 17th century theologians and see how they
try to "JUSTIFY GOD'S WAY TO MEN" and explain the REASONS for the FALL.
What the Fall did to the perfect reason,  man, created in God's own
image, was graced with at creation. 


> 
> > Did Christ defeat Death?
> 
> According to the Christians, yes.

Is that what St. Paul says? 


> 
> > Christian faith, partly because of reasons
> > influence, becomes much more
> > intense than OT faith.
> 
> Depends on how you define "more intense" I guess.  I
> don't think anything gets much more intense than
> Abraham's faith in God which leads him to sacrifice
> Isaac, a story that features prominently in Pynchon.


It become more intense because it has to contend with "Greek" REASON. 
In this sense, NT faith in the resurrection of Jesus, and the
sacrifice,  is more intense than Abe's faith in the OT God and the
aborted sacrifice of his son.