RE: [TruthTalk] Toward a (biblical) Unilateral Covenant

[Slade Henson]

Slade's paraphrase (with help from Aland and Stern): God shows no partiality: for those who-are-without-Torah sin, they also perish without Torah; and those within Torah who sin, by Torah they will be judged (2.11-12). (The hearers of Torah are not just with G-d, but the doers of Torah will be justified) (Romans 2.11-13). Verse 2:14-16a appears to be an example of how this works: For when Gentiles, not having Torah, by nature practice the things of Torah even though they do not have Torah, are Torah! They demonstrate the works of Torah written in their hearts; their consciences and their thoughts bear joint witness and between one another accusing (or even defending) in [the] day when God judges the hidden things of men. I attempt to understand the text from the original language, so my renderings may be a bit different than your favored translation.   It appears that both the conscience and the thoughts of man are designed to keep us holy and going good. The question, appears to be is the conscience the Imago Dei? Since I tend to look at the text in active voice, I do not think Imago Dei has to do with the static nature of man (i.e., body+soul+spirit = Father+Son+Holy Spirit) but that the Imago Dei is seen in the activities of man. When we behave as Messiah, we demonstrate the Imago Dei.   Is the conscience the Holy Spirit... or is the conscience the internal reaction to the Torah written on our hearts? I don't know.   I thank G-d we are given the assurance of salvation through Messiah Yeshua. I would hate to be like one who does not have that assurance. Am I on the right track or have I failed to address the issue? -- slade   -----Original Message----- From: Lance Muir Conscience and the Imago Dei, discuss amongst yourselves. Slade, what do you think?