In his study on Galatians NT Wright offered this analogy for the letter’s context:

“Imagine you are in South Africa in the 1970s. Apartheid is at its height. You are embarked on a risky project: to build a community center where everybody will be equally welcome, no matter what their color or race. You have designed it; you have laid the foundation in such a way that only the right sort of building can be built. But, you are suddenly called away urgently to another part of the country. A little later, you get a letter. A new group of builders are building on your foundation. They have changed the design, and are installing two meeting rooms, with two front doors, one for whites only and one for blacks only. Some of the local people are mightily relieved. They always thought there was going to be trouble, putting everyone together like that. Others, though, ask the builders why the original idea would not do. Oh, said the builders, that chap who laid the foundation, he had some funny ideas. He did not really have permission to make that design. He got a bit muddled. We are from the real authorities. This is how it is got to be.”

Remove the variables of time and location and this analogy captures the purpose of Galatians. It also captures the purpose of why WE have been studying this letter. This Sunday, we conclude our study of Galatians and will consider again what the letter is about, and what it might mean for Mosaic. Why do we do what we do? And why do we do it how we do it? See you soon! ~Aaron