The next reference from LG:
In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh.(125)
Here, Pope Paul VI goes for a straight reference to the Scriptures, that is to Rom. 9:4-5, which states:
They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Simply put, we must remember that it was through the Jews that the testament and promis was first given, and from whom we recieved our Lord Christ Jesus, as St. Paul also affirms.
Next reference from LG:
On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.(126)
Again, a straight Biblical reference, this time to Rom. 11:28-29, which is thus quoted:
As regards the gospel they are enemies of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Still pretty straight foreward as to what Pope Paul VI is trying to say. That is, the promise of Christ first came to the Jews, and they are still considered in the election of God as beloved for the sake of their ancestors. Pope Paul VI thusly does not stray away from what seems to be quite becoming of a Pauline philosophy in his statements - even with his reference to St. Thomas Aquinas, which happened to have references to two of St. Paul's writngs.
Next reference from LG:
Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things,(127) and as Saviour wills that all men be saved.(128)
Here we have two straight Scripture references in a row, first from Acts 17:24-28, and then next from 1 Tim. 2:3-4.
The first reference, Acts 17:24-28, as follows:
The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find himthough indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'"
Seems like an interesting passage for a Pope to make, that is, if one considers this an argument for not having church buildings. Yet, true the his Pauline identity, the point here is not anti-church, but rather the closeness of God to His creation. For as St. Paul said, "though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'" (vv. 27b-28). Whose poets is St. Paul refering to? His audience here is not the Jews, but the gentiles in front of the Areopagus in Athens.
The second reference, 1 Tim. 2:3-4, as follows:
This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Here, the reference of Pope Paul VI to St. Paul is quite clear, that God, our Lord and saviour "desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Is there any exclusion to this desire, this will of God? In short, no, it appears there is not. For this will of God that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth is at the heart of God's revelation and call to all humanity, gentile or Jew.
(Continued...)
) you wouldn't either. Bashing people is wrong, period.
