My view is that real NT Christianity is the fulfillment of RIGHTEOUS OT Judaism, as opposed to common OT Judaism at the time
The faith God gave mankind is not Judaism, FK. He gave it to the Jews first because they were chosen to do the awesome task of spreading it to the rest of mankind, but not as a nation; rather, through few brave and dedicated individuals.
Christianity represents that true faith, spread to the rest of the mankind and not confined to one nation, or "owned" by one nation. So, we can't call it Judaism. Judaism is what it was not supposed to be.
And it is should not be confused with Judaism. That's why we have no business seeking "concordance" in Judaism. Christianity reveals everything we need to know.
That's why we must read and approach the OT through the lens of the NT and treat it as an overture, heavily tainted with Jewish mindset and a special interest group bias that is evident especially in the Chronicles and the Kings.
It was +Paul who proclaimed for the first time that the followers of Christ, and recepients of God's saving grace are not just the Jews, but the Gentiles as well.
Whether that was something God dictated to him (which I don't believe) or whether it is something +Paul realized in his heart as merciful God's desire (which I do believe) is irrelevant. He unlocked the final mystery of God's revelation that starts with Genesis and ends with the NT. The whole Bible is one giant Gospel (if you filter narrow national taint out of it).
+Paul did nto consider being a follower of Christ as a new religion, so he does not speak as someone who "left" Judaism or ceased being a Jew. He realized that the righteous faith you speak of is not narrow-interest national religion, but that God's love is a supra-national ambrella that has room for the Jew and Gentile alike and that he gives a soul to each and every one of us.
Think about it, if you feel blessed, don't you wish to share your blessings, and pray to God to bless all the people? What is perfect mercy if not soemthing that can be applied to all us, and not only some of us; for we are all sinners in need of mercy. The only way we can be left out of God's loving grace is if we refuse it!
FK: "My view is that real NT Christianity is the fulfillment of RIGHTEOUS OT Judaism, as opposed to common OT Judaism at the time."
The faith God gave mankind is not Judaism, FK. He gave it to the Jews first because they were chosen to do the awesome task of spreading it to the rest of mankind, but not as a nation; rather, through few brave and dedicated individuals.
I was trying to imply that "righteous OT Judaism" IS Christianity. Anyway, while I am somewhat pressed to come up with examples of NT-type evangelism in the OT, I do think the nation of Israel WAS called to evangelize by example to the rest of the world:
Deut 14:2 : ... for thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. KJV
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Christianity represents that true faith, spread to the rest of the mankind and not confined to one nation, or "owned" by one nation. So, we can't call it Judaism. Judaism is what it was not supposed to be.
I certainly agree wrt the Judaism of today. That's why I was trying to draw a distinction. I believe the faith of the OT righteous WAS a true Christian faith. Christ is all over the OT. The righteous looked forward to His coming, and they did so correctly. Only one type of faith saves. God did not change the rules midstream.
+Paul did not consider being a follower of Christ as a new religion, so he does not speak as someone who "left" Judaism or ceased being a Jew. He realized that the righteous faith you speak of is not narrow-interest national religion, but that God's love is a supra-national umbrella that has room for the Jew and Gentile alike and that he gives a soul to each and every one of us.
That's right, I fully agree. But that leaves me a little confused on your view because earlier you said that Judaism and Christianity are not compatible. If you mean the Judaism of today plus that which was wrongly practiced back then, then we agree.
The only way we can be left out of God's loving grace is if we refuse it!
In the spirit of the Patristic Fathers I thought of a way we could both agree here. How about this:
The only way we can be left out of God's loving grace is if we do not receive it! :)