Paul bases his certainty on his role as an apostle and on his call from God. In the denominations which we represent we have noticed that sometimes people claim calls from God that lead them in very ungodly ways. And sometimes apostolic succession does not guarantee apostolic wisdom. How do you think about the role of authority and the place of leaders in your own church or denomination?
Very few Christians today argue about the continuing validity of circumcision or even about dietary requirements based on the Pentateuch. Are there issues in your communities where Christians have claimed that there are marks or practices of the Christian that sets us apart from the world around us? How do you evaluate these arguments?
Martin Luther said that Galatians was his Katherine von Bora—his wife’s name. That is, of all scripture, this was the one book he clung to with all his heart. That is because Galatians insists most strongly that our right relationship to God depends on faith. How do you think Paul understood faith? How do you understand it? Was Paul onto something? Was Luther?