>>40992713
>>40992682
>>40992223
I feel like gnostics just dont read. They get caught up in the idea of the pharisees/sadducees representing all of jews when biblically this is not even the case in the old testament. God chose Abraham and his descendants not for their own exclusive salvation, but to be a "light to the nations" (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6). This was crucial in a time where polytheism was centrally diluting the intellect of the ancient world, Among all the nations of the ancient world, only Israel had maintained a staunch, often persecuted, monotheism. Greek philosophy had glimpses of a supreme God (e.g., Plato's "Demiurge," Aristotle's "Unmoved Mover"), but it was always polytheistic and mixed with pagan mythology. Israel provided the only pure soil for the seed of the Gospel to grow. (later expounded in the concept of divine pedagogy which means Gods revelation to mankind through Christ was intentional so that mankind would ease into the gospel as a child being tutored, also as Irenaeus put it in his book Against Heresies)
The centuries of prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc.) were essential consistently condemned the very "genetic supremacy" the user mentions, preaching that God cares for the heart, not just lineage (Isaiah 1:11-17, Jeremiah 7:1-11). (also among a time where slavery in Israel was the least oppressive system allowing indentured servants freedoms and rights not reserved anywhere else such as a right to court, any sexually abused slave is instantly freed, etc. etc.)
...the Church Fathers constantly quoted the prophets to show that God's plan was always universal. St. John Chrysostom (Homilies on Romans) argues the Old Testament is filled with examples of Gentiles being justified by faith (Melchizedek, Job, the Ninevites). The "true Jew" was always the one inwardly circumcised in heart (see Jeremiah 4:4 which is OLD TESTAMENT, and Romans 2:28-29 NEW TESTAMENT).
Continued in my next post;
