Circumcision in the Bible

As most of my friends are Christians, I figure I ought to devote a blog to the Biblical aspect of circumcision. What are we as Christians supposed to feel about circumcision?

Out of all the issues presented in the Bible, few are harder to deal with than circumcision. Different passages seem to contradict each other. The first part of the Bible deals with the creation story, including the creation of people. The first chapter of Genesis claims that all of God's creations are "good" and that we are "made in God's image." Paul later claims that, "God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be." 1 Corinthians 12:18 Paul speaks frequently in the New Testament that "circumcision is useless," or "circumcision is nothing." He goes so far as to call circumcisers "mutilators of the flesh" Philippians 3:14.

Why would God then command his chosen people to circumcise themselves? (Genesis 17:10-14) This is a rather difficult question to answer. It is clear that the New Testament is adamantly opposed to the procedure, yet God commands his chosen people to circumcise. It is a mystery that I have been struggling with and cannot come up with a logical answer. Then again, this isn't as bizarre as requiring a raper to marry their victim. (Deuteronomy 22:28-29) The one thing that is clear on the subject is that circumcision is not required for Christians. If anything circumcision is discouraged and seen as a way of not accepting Jesus.