this is what i'm learning.

After studying Galatians this past month I found that in sum, this book is about circumcision. A theologically integral issue, yet awkward and humorous nonetheless. It is a ritual likely confounding to even the most faithful church-goer. I propose that to understand Paul’s argument surrounding this issue requires us to get past initial thoughts of foreskins.

The Jewish-Christians in Rome during Paul’s day boasted in their circumcision as a mark of their faith. And yet Paul rebuked their lack of true obedience to God. They believed their salvation was intact if they faithfully adhered to rituals. Paul rebukes this understanding and implores that their outward appearance is of little value, for God knows and looks to their hearts.

The pseudo-Christians Paul describes in Galatians would rather accept circumcision as defining of their faith rather than Christ’s redemptive work. They desire to hold on to their Mosaic-Law traditions because they fear persecution from the Jews, but they fail to realize that their souls are imperil. Their hope in circumcision negates faith in God’s plan through Christ, God’s grace, and severs them from Christ.

The spirit of circumcision is anything that we rely on to prove our faith as Christians. It is something that is widely accepted among the religious culture as appropriate, and even brings us personal comfort as we attempt to evade trying circumstances. Perhaps difficult situations which will require of us faith. It is something we are proud of because when others know this to be true about us, we are tempted to boast in it. And it is divisive, disrupting church unity. In fact,  those who have it are regarded as superior to those who do not.

Anything come to mind? What fits this description for the church in the U.S.?