Re: Romans 8:19 (James Clardy)

LISATIA@aol.com
Wed, 27 Mar 1996 02:25:20 -0500

dear Jim,
Rom. 8.19-20 and IICor. 4.4 are two of the prime evidences for Paul's
conversation with cosmic dualism. AKA gnosticism. TH GAR MATAIOTHTI hH
KTISIS hUPETAGH OYX EKOUSA ALLA DIA TON hYPOTAKSANTA - "for in vanity the
creation was downgraded (subordinated), not willingly but by him who
downgraded . . . ." The sentence should end here. hH KTISIS is the real
estate which we belong to - cattle, environment, righteous and unrighteouus
sharecroppers.
II Cor. 4.4 presents the same idea of bondage of the will to a cosmic
ruler: EN hOIS hO QEOS TOU AIWNOS TOUTOU ETUPHLWSEN TA NOHMATA TWN APISTWN
- "in whom the god of this eon has blinded their faithless thoughts" . . . .
" Here, too, the cosmc archon functions in accord with Jonas' definition of
mastering the thoughts and wills of his subject minions.
Note that Paul understands Christ's cosmic role to bring freedom to
those under the archon's domain.
richard arthur Merrimack, NH LISATIA@aol.com