I'm not always entirely comfortable with the various teachings I hear in charismatic churches.
I've never been comfortable with the teaching about Blood Covenant. Truth to tell, I've always been uncomfortable when the subject was brought up, somehow sensing an unsavory spirit to it, so I haven't ever really sought it out, or even heard much of it.
At least, not until just recently.
The fellow doing the teaching I heard seemed to be basing his beliefs upon some books written by a man named Malcolm Smith, whose writings I suppose I need to become better acquainted with, since I've come to think it important to be able to refute this teaching, which is based upon false premises.
What struck me as particularly harmful was his focus upon Abraham's initial, inappropriate attempt to cut covenant with God, rather than God's later cutting of true covenant with Abraham, with the sign of circumcision.
In cutting a bullock in two, Abraham boldly asserted his notion of god-equivalence. Abraham's covenant ritual dared God to cut him in two equal pieces, should Abraham fail to fulfill the covenant. Abraham certainly failed that covenant, and God definitely cut him into two pieces: It's fortunate to Abraham (and the entire Jewish race) that God only insisted upon cutting off Abraham's foreskin.
In cutting Abraham in two, God mercifully reminded Abraham of his own mortal weakness, and the fundamental assymetry of the covenant relationship. So, also, do we have mortal weaknesses of which we are often reminded, and we thank God, profusely, for his mercy, as we praise him for his benevolence in his greatness...
The good sign of the covenant God is looking for in us today, is a circumcision of heart.
We today have a far better covenant as born-again believers, than had the Jew's Father Abraham, for it is based on far greater, and better promises - so I don't see the purpose in confirming the notion that Abraham's covenants with God have any current validity, or that I should wish they did. I believe the Jews should have the gospel preached to them (even before it is preached to myself), and that they should accept the covenant now offered by the God of Isaac and Jacob, through his Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
And I, with the Apostle Paul, must stand against the Judaizing of the Christian faith.
God loves the Jews: Therefore, he wants them to receive the gospel.
In saying that, by the way, I establish my position as decidedly "PRO semitic".
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