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The Bible's View
on Foreskins & Circumcision
(Top Posts - Distance From Belief
in christianity - 050801)
Keep
in mind, there are those of faith who choose to use
selected scripture to support or oppose something, yielding
a false impression of the overall picture when it comes to
determining what's in the Bible. Having performed a search
on the King James Version of the Bible, the following is a
comprehensive assessment of the views of the writers of
the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament, on the
circumcision question.
I
caution you to refrain from jumping to conclusions based
on a portion of the following. In its entirety, it does appear
that circumcision was an important practice as perceived by
the writers of the Old Testament and that the writers of the
New Testament struggled with the issue due to the Old Test-
ament stance compared to the desire to spread the Christian
faith to Gentiles who lived in a culture that had not practiced
circumcision up to that time.
In
summary, the writers of the Old Testament perceived that
God required circumcision and the writers of the New Test-
ament, as a whole, determined that circumcision was merely
a way for God to encourage faith, and that belief in Christ was
enough of a demonstration of faith (for the Gentiles) so that
the Old Testament practice of circumcision was no longer
required (by the Gentiles of faith - handy, that, as the faith
probably would not have flourished if the Gentiles had been
required to submit to circumcision in order to join the faith).
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Excerpts
from
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/sex/long.htm
God
establishes his covenant with Abram: "This is my cov-
enant ... every man child among you shall be circumcised.
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin." It seems
that penises are supremely important to god. Genesis 17:10-11
Dinah,
the daughter of Jacob, is "defiled" by a man who seems
to love her dearly. Her brothers trick all of the men of the town
and kill them (after first having them all circumcised), and then
take their wives and children captive. Genesis 34:1-31
God
decides to kill Moses because his son had not yet been
circumcised. Luckily for Moses, his Egyptian wife Zipporah
"took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and
cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou
to me. So he [God] let him go." This story shows the impor-
tance of penises to God, and his hatred of foreskins.
Exodus 4:24
"Circumcise
therefore the foreskin of your heart." Deuteron-
omy 10:16
Circumcise
the foreskin of your heart or God will burn you
to death. Jeremiah 4:4
Further
elaborations ...
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/long.html
David
buys a wife with 200 Philistine foreskins (twice the asking
price). 1 Samuel 18:25-27
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Interpretations
in the following are my own - Please feel
free to correct me if I have erred. Pardons for the length
of the following but circumcision was apparently a really
important issue for the writers of the bible, and their audi-
ences ...
---
-Old
Testament-
Foreskin-snipping
at the command of God: "And Abraham took
Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that
were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abra-
ham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their FORESKIN in
the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. And Abraham was
ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh
of his FORESKIN. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old,
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his FORESKIN."
Genesis 17:23-25
---
Foreskin-snipping
demanded on the 8th day, along with various
requirements of the mother to remain unclean for quite some
time after giving birth: "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have con-
ceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven
days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall
she be unclean.
And
in the eighth day the flesh of his FORESKIN shall be circum-
cised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three
and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the
sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled."
Leviticus 12:1-4
---
Not
sure how a heart is circumcised: "And the LORD thy God
will CIRCUMCISE thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love
the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that
thou mayest live." Deuteronomy 30:6
---
A
lot of foreskin-snipping going on, here, as God seems to be
obsessed with foreskins (again), and there's even a hill of the
foreskins: "At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee
sharp knives, and CIRCUMCISE again the children of Israel the
second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circum-
cised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
And
this is the cause why Joshua did CIRCUMCISE: All the
people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men
of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of
Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but
all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they
came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised."
Joshua 5:2-5
---
David
bought his wife with 100 Philistine foreskins and in 1 Samuel
18:27 he slew 200 Philistines to get their foreskins. Hmmm, it seems
100 foreskins are missing, here. Perhaps he overpaid or perhaps he
just likes killing Philistines in a 2 Philistines for 1 foreskin manner.
"And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying,
Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred
FORESKINS of the Philistines." 2 Samuel 3:14
---
Not
sure what's taking place here, but it appears to be a scene that
would be appropriate for an NC-17 rating: "Woe unto him that
giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest
him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! Thou
art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy FORESKIN
be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto
thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory."
Habakkuk 2:15-16
---
-New
Testament-
First
off, keep in mind, the position in favor of reaching out to
the Gentiles (via the OK with uncircumcision references in the
New Testament) is directly opposite of that expressed by Jesus
himself, in the following: "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and com-
manded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and
into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the
lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 10:5-6 ...
Also
note that it appears the writer of Acts was documenting the
dismissal of most of the world through the following passage,
at least as it applies to spreading the word at the time this verse
was written. Hmmm, perhaps Asians can use this verse as an
excuse if God wants to toss 'em into hell: "Now when they had
gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were for-
bidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia." Acts 16:6
---
John
gets snipped: "And it came to pass, that on the eighth day
they came to CIRCUMCISE the child; and they called him Zach-
arias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and
said, Not so; but he shall be called John." Luke 1:59-60
---
Jesus
refers to but does not oppose circumcision. "Moses there-
fore gave unto you CIRCUMCISION; (not because it is of Moses,
but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If
a man on the sabbath day receive CIRCUMCISION, that the law
of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have
made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?" John 7:22-23
---
Reference
to circumcision without opposition. "And he gave him
the covenant of CIRCUMCISION: and so Abraham begat Isaac,
and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and
Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs." Acts 7:8
---
Reference
to circumcision. "While Peter yet spake these words,
the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they
of the CIRCUMCISION which believed were astonished, as
many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was
poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 10:44-45
---
Reference
to circumcision as a Jewish/Gentile issue: "And the
apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles
had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come
up to Jerusalem, they that were of the CIRCUMCISION con-
tended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised,
and didst eat with them." Acts 11:1-3
---
Peter
says Gentile believers are OK as is, overruling desire of Phar-
isees to circumcise 'em: "But there rose up certain of the sect of the
Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to CIRCUM-
CISE them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And
the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
And
when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said
unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago
God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should
hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth
the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as
he did unto us;" Acts 15:5-8
---
Seems
there is a lot of concern over Paul's teaching the Gentiles
that they can believe without being circumcised, for which Paul is
being held accountable: "And they are informed of thee, that thou
teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses,
saying that they ought not to CIRCUMCISE their children, neither
to walk after the customs." Acts 21:21
---
Circumcision/Jew/law references by the writer of Romans, saying
uncircumcised who keep the law are circumcised and circumcised
who break the law are uncircumcised. "For the name of God is
blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For
CIRCUMCISION verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou
be a breaker of the law, thy CIRCUMCISION is made uncircum-
cision.
Therefore
if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,
shall not his uncircumcision be counted for CIRCUMCISION?
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law,
judge thee, who by the letter and CIRCUMCISION dost trans-
gress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither
is that CIRCUMCISION, which is outward in the flesh: But he is
a Jew, which is one inwardly; and CIRCUMCISION is that of the
heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men,
but of God." Romans 2:24-29
---
Support
of circumcision followed by statement more is needed to
impress God: "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit
is there of CIRCUMCISION? Much every way: chiefly, because
that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if
some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God
without effect?"
God
forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is writ-
ten, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest over-
come when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the
righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who
taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall
God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded
through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
And
not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm
that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation
is just. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we
have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under
sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
Romans 3:1-10
---
Circumcision/uncircumcision
and Jew/Gentile made out to be really
big issues by the writer of Romans, justifying circumcision and un-
circumcision through faith: "Is he the God of the Jews only? is he
not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one
God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircum-
cision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith?
God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Romans 3:29-31
---
Basically,
circumcision of the Old Testament/Jews is interpreted
as a faith deal and now, in New Testament times, it's faith that is
the key, not circumcision for circumcision is construed as being
merely a demonstration of faith: "Blessed is the man to whom the
Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the
CIRCUMCISION only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we
say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How
was it then reckoned? when he was in CIRCUMCISION, or in
uncircumcision? Not in CIRCUMCISION, but in uncircumcision.
And
he received the sign of CIRCUMCISION, a seal of the
righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:
that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be
not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them
also:
And
the father of CIRCUMCISION to them who are not of the
CIRCUMCISION only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith
of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For
the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to
Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righ-
teousness of faith." Romans 4:8-13
---
Another
solicitation for Gentiles to come to the faith, with Jesus
referred to as a circumcision for truth of God (ouch - so that's
where we get the saying 'the truth hurts'?): "Now I say that Jesus
Christ was a minister of the CIRCUMCISION for the truth of God,
to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gen-
tiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause
I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."
Romans 15:8-9
---
Clear
call to not alter your calling (i.e., calling being whatever was
done to you regarding circumcision): "Is any man called being
circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in
uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. CIRCUMCISION is
nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the
commandments of God. Let every man abide in the same calling
wherein he was called." 1 Corinthians 7:18-20
---
Significant
circumcision/uncircumcision differences of opinions
expressed by the writer of Galatians: "But contrariwise, when they
saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me,
as the gospel of the CIRCUMCISION was unto Peter; (For he that
wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the CIRCUMCI-
SION, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
And
when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and
Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the
heathen, and they unto the CIRCUMCISION. Only they would that
we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward
to do.
But
when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face,
because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from
James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he
withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the
CIRCUMCISION." Galatians 2:7-12
---
Circumcision
counts for naught when it comes to Christ: "Stand
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I
Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit
you nothing.
For
I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a
debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto
you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness
by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither CIRCUMCISION availeth any
thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
Galatians 5:1-6
---
An
expression of a guilt trip regarding circumcision/uncircumcision
issues? "And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet
suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would
they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have
been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the
flesh, but by love serve one another." Galatians 5:11-13
---
An
OK for not being circumcised: "For in Christ Jesus neither CIR-
CUMCISION availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new
creature." Galatians 6:15
---
Gentiles
were separate and uncircumcision was clearly the means
by which said separation was identified in the following, with the
blood of Jesus somehow magically replacing the snipping of the
foreskin as the way to be with God: "Wherefore remember, that
ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncir-
cumcision by that which is called the CIRCUMCISION in the
flesh made by hands;
That
at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the com-
monwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ
Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood
of Christ." Ephesians 2:11-13
---
Seems
that dogs, evil workers, and getting your foreskin cut off
are held in low esteem by the writer of Philippians: "Finally, my
brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to
me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs,
beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the
CIRCUMCISION, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice
in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."
Philippians 3:1-3
---
Seems
that Jesus is viewed as a circumcision replacement by the
writer of Colossians: "And ye are complete in him, which is the head
of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with
the CIRCUMCISION made without hands, in putting off the body
of the sins of the flesh by the CIRCUMCISION of Christ: Buried
with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the
faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
Colossians 2:10-12
---
Christ
is a uniter, not a divider (or a snipper of foreskins), at least
not when it comes to Greeks, Jews, Barbarians, and Scythians:
"And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge
after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither
Greek nor Jew, CIRCUMCISION nor uncircumcision, Barbarian,
Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
Colossians 3:10-11
---
Not
sure what this verse is about: "And Jesus, which is called Justus,
who are of the CIRCUMCISION. These only are my fellowworkers
unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me."
Colossians 4:11
---
Seems
like an anti-Jewish rant, here, shameful in the manner in which
this and many other anti-Jewish references in the New Testament were
used by christians as a basis for torture/murder of and discrimination
against Jews for close to 2,000 years: "For there are many unruly and
vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the CIRCUMCISION:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teach-
ing things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." Titus 1:10-11
- - -
For further information on this issue, see
"Circumcision Fact-Finding Tour" ...
http://prohuman.net/social_legal/circumcision.htm
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