A Spiritual Pedigree
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:8 and Ephesians 4:6
Series: Comments on Galatians
Abraham is regarded by many as the father of three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In plainer words, three traditions trace their religious practices to him. It may even be said that that many nations have benefited from the three religions. And it might as easily be suggested that there has been much evil to come from them too. So, let us look further than the physical aspects of the man, that from he and Sarah came Isaac and Ishmael and eventually, Jesus. For the chief difference in the three religions is found in a spiritual aspect of Abraham.
Christianity does not look to the physical Abraham but to the spiritual man. We esteem Abraham because he had faith in the Christ who would come 14 generations later. We do not regard him because he created a religion. Faith is at the heart of Christianity, not one’s lineage. It is true, that Jesus’ lineage may be traced back to Abraham, but Christians do not place their trust in parentage, other than to declare that God is the Father of us all. Paul showed (Galatians 3:6) how it is that those who have faith in Christ Jesus are sons of Abraham. However, this is a spiritual pedigree, not physical. So, we must affirm, quite apart from Judaism and Islam, that God is our Father — not Abraham.
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Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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