Galatians 4: observing "times and seasons" bad?

[nordskoven]

A Christian asked me why Catholics observe Lent, and cited Galatians chapter 4:10 as regards the futility of observing times and seasons. I looked it up:
Galatians 4 1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father:
3So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.
4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:
5That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.
7Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.
8But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods.
9But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the weak and needy elements, which you desire to serve again?
10You observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.

This sounds dire! I do know the Galatians were not Hebrews; and I do know that Passover is given in the Old Testament as an “eternal covenant” hence our Easter duty to attend Mass then, even if at no other time.

So what were the days, months, times and years the Galatians were observing? The Lord Himself chides the Jews for observing the various lunar sabbaths if their hearts weren’t in it. Personally, I see Lent as a time of fasting, the utility of which is explained by Jesus Christ as commending fasting to drive out certain types of demons that otherwise frustrated the attempts by the apostles. I can see that Catholic feast days would scandalize Christians reading Galatians 4:10.

But I also know that Jesus gave all power and authority to the apostles to teach the observance of all He commanded, and this discipline of Lent is apostolic and valid. My only counterpoint would be, "Why observe the custom of attending church services on your particular sabbath (Saturday or Sunday) as well as Wednesday night services? Is that contravened by Galatians? Hope you will keep all such anti-Catholic souls in prayer and ask for ourselves as well: “May the Lord enlighten the eyes of our hearts.”

 

[FightingFat]

It’s really important to understand the Scripture as a cohesive whole. In order to do this, we try not to pick out proof texts, especially out of context. So what was the context here? Paul is not writing systematic theology, nor is he writing in a way that can be understood for all people at all times (necessarily). He is furious in this letter and lambastes the wretched Galatians with the full fury of his wrath. Like most of us, he tends to hyperbole when engaged in a polemic. It’s not a good letter to take out bits and use as rules for every situation.

 

[NotWorthy]

Those “foolish Galatians” are still clinging to the Old Testament festivals. In other words, they are clinging to the Old Covenant, which prevents them from following their fellow Christians into the New Covenant.

1Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father:
3So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.
4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:
5That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.

I think the underlined parts show what I’m speaking of, where the Jews were under the Old Testament laws. Then, if Paul is following the same logic, he is referring to the converted Jews who can’t quite give it up. This is a theme he has used in Corinthians as well, where he told the Christians not to hold it against the Jewish-Christians who still clung to their old traditions.

 

[Garyjohn2]

Well, I think it’s important to take this verse in moderation. Does it mean we should never look at the clock and observe the time? I don’t think so. Neither does the verse say “thou shalt not celebrate holidays”. I’m going to look at the last few verses and see what I get out of them.

8But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them, who, by nature, are not gods.

People who did not know God were serving worldly leaders.

9But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you
again to the weak and needy elements, which you desire to serve again?

Now that they know God (or are known by God), they are turning again to weaker elements, and wanting to serve people (or things) that are less than God.

10You observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Everything seems clear up until this point. What is he referring to? Maybe the people are obsessing too much over time and seasons, and not focusing on their hearts, or internal conditions (like you suggested). Maybe we can read into what Paul is NOT saying. The people are observing days and seasons, but perhaps not observing how they treat one another. Observing the law, but not the meaning behind it, like the Pharisees.

11I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.

So, maybe all the work he has done has been in vain, and the people are sticking to cold ritual “days and times,” with no real change of heart.

Maybe there are other more official ways to interpret this verse. A lesson for us, during lent, might be to make sure not only to fast and abstain…but to remember why we are doing so. To feel true contriteness of heart, and experience repentance. To fast, pray, and give alms from our heart, for God, and not just because it is the right season to do so.

 

[mlakshan]

Heresies of fundamentalists are spreading on the internet severely. When I found this similar quote in Galatians I searched google with the tags 'Galatians 4:10 and catholic feasts ’ and almost all the pages stripped down catholicism and claimed catholicism is a complete heresy! May Lord forgive those souls! This is not the only instance the fundamentalists try to destroy the Holy Catholic Church of Jesus. Even they have the gut to say that Pope His Holiness is the anti- Christ! Itz true that we should wait in patience, but I feel we’ve got to be more active in describing the words of bible as our Fathers teach us, specially in the internet.

 

[COPLAND_3]

Here is the footnote to the Aquinas Study Bible

4:10 days months times and years: As St. Augustine (Ep. 119 and Enchirid. 79) and Anselm understand the elements to be the sun, moon, and idols, so do they understand this verse to mean days that were lucky or unlucky, according as astrology made them so. But Chrysostom and Jerome and others explain the days to be the Jewish Sabbaths; the months to be the new moons, and the seventh month, which was held sacred throughout; the times to be the stated feasts of the four seasons—the Passover, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement, and the New Year; and the years to be the seventh year of remission of debts, and the fiftieth year of jubilee. (Cornelius a Lapide)