Friday, February 12, 2016

The "works" in view in Ephesians 2

I have addressed Eph 2:8-10, perhaps the favourite proof-text for sola fide proponents to (mis)use to support their soteriology:



There is no real conflict between Latter-day Saint soteriology and this pericope, notwithstanding the misinformed complaints from our Evangelical detractors, including their abuse of 2 Nephi 25:23 (refuted by James Stutz and other LDS apologists). However, what is often overlooked is the subsequent verses that show what the "works" Paul had in mind--works of the Law of Moses that were markers of one being Jewish and a member of the Old Covenant. Here is Eph 2:11-19 (NRSV):

So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision"--a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands--remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he had made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God.


Clearly, the boundary markers of the Old Covenant are in view in Eph 2, similar to the understanding of "the works of the Law" one finds in 4QMMT from Qumran.