God Without Religion_ Can It Really Be This Simple_ - Andrew Farley [28]
Specifically, the Jewish perspective on Greeks is important to grasp when it comes to interpreting large portions of the New Testament. In fact, one of the most controversial Christian beliefs of our time (predestination) cannot be properly understood without realizing how Jews looked at Greeks.
As we put predestination in its scriptural context, a startling simplicity will be revealed. Here’s what we’ll find: predestination is about “God’s Big Fat Greek Wedding” as he controversially opened up his gospel message to a new bride, the Greeks. It was never intended to be about individual selection of some for heaven while leaving others for hell.
Just as the Miller family was skeptical of their son’s unorthodox union with Toula, the Jews were skeptical of Yahweh joining himself to “those dirty Gentiles.” For that reason, the apostle Paul went to great lengths to defend God’s sovereign choice to save Gentiles.
So if Jesus’s second ministry (through the new covenant) involved offering the gospel to all Gentile nations, then predestination is not about God preselecting some individuals and leaving others for hell.
God’s Big Fat Greek Wedding
God’s predestined plan through the cross was to demolish any spiritual difference between Jews and Gentiles. By making the law irrelevant to new life in Christ, he made the two groups one. With God’s plan in mind, Paul gives another clarification about the “you” he is writing to:
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Eph. 2:17–18)
Notice that “you” is defined as “you who were far away” (v. 17). Again, Paul means Gentiles here. When he says “those who were near” (v. 17), he means Jews. Then he lumps them both together, saying “we both” (v. 18).
The Jewish people carried the same bloodline as the prophets. They had a heritage full of covenant, promise, and God’s faithfulness. They were already near—near to the gospel message. It was first announced from the lips of Israel’s prophets and then heard through Jewish apostles. Nevertheless, Paul stresses that “we both” (Jews and Gentiles) now have access to God by the same Spirit. The result of this access is described this way:
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people. . . . And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph. 2:19, 22)
Gentiles were foreigners and strangers when it came to the things of God. But now Paul says Gentiles “are being built together” (v. 22). Notice again that he says “you too” here, meaning “you Gentiles also, not just us Jews.” Then, as Paul’s third chapter opens, we see him once again revealing what “you” means:
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles. (Eph. 3:1)
A Mystery Made Plain
Maybe you’re still unsure about the true meaning of predestination in Ephesians. Here’s how Paul concludes everything he wrote them about it. Here we see talk of an ancient (preplanned) mystery that has now been revealed. You can decide for yourself whom you think was predestined and to what:
The mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. . . . and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. (Eph. 3:4–6, 9)
God’s plan was predestined a long time ago. It was not made known for generations. It was kept hidden. But now, through the new covenant inaugurated in Jesus’s death, it’s been revealed. Here