James:

This is a departure from a past perspective, but the claim is that the Spirit came on Gentiles without them being circumcised--and where does the OT say Gentiles needed to be circumcised? What we have is a fresh situation in which the logic might suggest circimcision but it is not a clear precedent for the people in question (Are they Abraham's seed in the sense that Gensis worked so hard to establish [ie biologically]?) nor is the passage a direct point of contact (unlike the counter situation we are seeking to resolve). This is what renders the analogy you raised as more problematic. I am quite aware of what a "turn" this was. I often tell my class there is a logic to the position not adopted at the Council. So, yes, we disagree, but as in all good discussions, appreciate the point at issue clearly.

dlb