Biblical theology of circumcision

[BGF]

Friends, I'm in a group of a handful om men reading through Philippians. We are now in chapter 3 where Paul gives a striking contrast between those circumcised in the flesh and the true circumcision. I'd like some resources on the biblical theology of circumcision. Any suggestions?

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Brett,

Here's a 4 minute clip from Tim Keller's opening talk at The Gospel Coalition on circumcision of the heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiOJlSWS_xQ

I'd also look at Deut 30:6 -- a key passage.

 

[Peairtach]

What does the whole Bible teach about circumcision?

Bruce's post on the front of the PB, "Circumcision and Baptism Compared", may be helpful:

Inward and outward characteristics
Circumcision
outward--Jer.9:26; Gen.17:10-27; Lev.12:3; Jsh.5:1-8; cf. 1Sam.17:26; Lk.2:21; Phil.3:5
inward--Jer.9:26; Lev.26:41; Dt.10:16; Dt.30:10; Jer.4:4; Ezk.44:7,9; cf.Act.7:51; Rom.2:25-29
Baptism
outward--Heb.10:22; Jn.1:26; Act.8:36; Act.10:47
inward--Heb.10:22; Gal.3:27; 1Cor.12:12-14


Five Symbols
1) Death/sacrifice
circumcision was bloody, like most OT rituals, pointing to the necessity of death and sacrifice; Ex.4:24-26, cf.Gen.17:14; Col.2:13

baptism--Rom.6:3-4; Col.2:12; cf.Lk.12:50
2) Cure/cleansing
the cutting away implied needful removal of offense or cleansing, Gen.34:14-24; Ex.6:12,30; Jer.6:10; Is.52:1; cf.Lev.19:23-25

baptism--1Pet.3:21; Mk.1:4; Act.2:38; Act.22:16; Heb.10:22; cf.Heb.9:22
3) New humanity
the location of the cut pointed to an ineradicable, intergenerational fault affecting the whole race (scope), and the world was divided between those who became circumcised and those who continued without; Hab.2:16; 1Sam.14:6; Ezk.32:17-32; Ezk.44:7,9; Jer.9:23-26; Ex.12:43-49

baptism--Mt.3:7-12; Lk.7:29-30; Mt.28:19-20; Mk.16:16; Eph.4:4-6
4) Seed of life
the fact that it was in such a vital place pointed further to a paradoxical situation in which to create more people naturally was simply to create more death, the instrument of life-giving was in reality propagating death, delaying it and even magnifying its hideous effects; the natural resolution would be to geld, to go sterile, and so terminate the sinful race—obviously unacceptable if the goal is to save the race; so the supernatural resolution is to remedy the defect. Jsh.24:2-3&etc., cf.Jsh.5:9 & Dt.30:19; 1Chr.16:12-14; Hos.9:10-17; Ps.87:4-6; Is.51:1-2, cf.Is.61:9, Is.65:23

baptism--new life in Christ's resurrection, Col.2:13; 1Pet.3:21; new life in Christ's body, 1Cor.12:12-13,27; cf.Gal.3:29, re. seed of Abraham; see also Jn.3:5 (associated with the new birth); Jn.4:7-15 & Rev.21:6 (water of life); Tit.3:4-6 (washing of regeneration)
5) Token/Symbolic judgment
the cut was a token removal, though painful, something that compelled deliberation before and after, both on the cost of the solution as well as the source of the solution. One had to look to the supernatural—to God—for his solution. 1Sam.18:27; Gal.5:12; cf.Ex.13:15; Lk.2:21-24

baptism--1Cor.10:1-2; 1Pet.3:20


Significant related issues
Union with a mediator:
Abraham, Gen.18:18-19; Moses, 1Cor.10:2; Christ, Gal.3:27
Name Associations:
OT: Gen.48:15-16; Is.43:1-7, cf.Is:63:19; 2Chr.7:14; Nu.6:27; {Lk.1:59 & 2:21}, cf.Is.4:1; Is.65:15; Am.9:11-12

NT: Mt.28:19; Act.19:5; 2Tim.2:19; Rev.22:4
Sign/seal
circumcision: Rom.4:11
baptism: 2Cor.1:21-22; Eph.1:13-14

sign: something that points to something else
seal: something that marks or reminds re. God’s claims of ownership and of his oath


Dispensation-specific qualifiers to the signs
OT circumcision illustrated salvation coming specifically by a male descendant of Abraham (then Isaac, Jacob, Judah, finally David)

NT baptism illustrates that general outpouring/anointing by the Holy Spirit unto New Covenant believers, Jn.7:39; Act.1:5 & 2:17

 

[BGF]

Thanks Steve and Richard. These were very helpful.