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If we look at Paul's Letter to the Galatians, we see that the "Council of Jerusalem" that we examined in our first article did not completely resolve the issue. A close look at this letter can also show us how the controversies surrounding Gentile circumcision allowed Paul to explain in even greater depth what it means that Jesus has set us free—free from law, from sin, and even from death itself.
A Different Gospel? Look at how Paul opens this letter: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:3). So far so good, right? But in the very next breath, when we are expecting Paul to praise God for working in these believers, he changes his tone: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (1:6). Where is the thanksgiving that opens up all his other letters? Where is the blessing on their good life? Not a word.
Apparently, Paul has learned that the Galatians have decided that all the Gentiles among them should be circumcised and should become Jews. This news upsets Paul so much that he launches immediately into the issue and takes…
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