Chapters
Dialogue with Trypho
Chapters
More
Chapter 23: How the Jewish Interpretation of the Law Offends God
"But if we do not admit this, we might fall into foolish beliefs, as if it were not the same God who existed in the times of Enoch and all the others, who were neither circumcised in the flesh nor observed Sabbaths or other rituals, even though Moses instructed such practices; or as if God did not desire every group of people to continually perform the same righteous actions. To suggest otherwise seems ridiculous and absurd.
THEREFORE: we must acknowledge that He, who is always the same, has commanded these and similar practices because of sinful people, and we must declare Him to be benevolent, all-knowing, self-sufficient, righteous, and good.
But if this is not so, tell me, sir, what you think about these matters we are investigating." And when no one responded: "Therefore, Trypho, I will proclaim to you, and to those who wish to become converts, the divine message I heard from that man. Do you see that the elements are not idle and keep no Sabbaths? Remain as you were born. For if there was no need for circumcision before Abraham, or the observance of Sabbaths, feasts, and sacrifices before Moses; then there is no need for them now, because, according to the will of God, Jesus Christ the Son of God has been born without sin, of a virgin descended from the line of Abraham.
For when Abraham himself was not circumcised, he was justified and blessed because of the faith he placed in God, as Scripture tells us.
Furthermore, Scripture and the facts force us to admit that he received circumcision as a sign, not for righteousness. So, it was rightly recorded that the soul not circumcised on the eighth day would be cut off from his family.
Additionally, the inability of women to receive physical circumcision proves that circumcision was given as a sign, not as a work of righteousness.
For God has also given women the ability to observe all things that are righteous and virtuous; yet we see that the physical form of males is different from the physical form of females. Still, we understand that neither is considered righteous or unrighteous merely because of this, but [is considered righteous] due to piety and righteousness."