[papertyger]

Yes, this was the original denominational fight -— kosher, not kosher -— circumsize, not circumsize, etc.

That was not a denominational fight, MWT. The judaizers were the first heretics, and that heresy was put down in the Scriptures themselves in no small part by Paul himself.

I see nothing wrong with grabbing that low-hanging fruit, then worrying about predestination and all the arcane stuff later.

Fair enough, but wouldn't that kind of thing encourage the "novice to be lifted up with pride" as in 1 Ti 3:6?

[MeanWestTexan]

Well, yes and no, some (such as apparently Peter at the time) were teaching “judaism-lite” as necessary for salvation (a heresy), others as means of simply a good way of living (denominational).

“Fair enough, but wouldn’t that kind of thing encourage the “novice to be lifted up with pride” as in 1 Ti 3:6?”

I am sure anything can be abused and can go wrong, however, one has to start somewhere.