Paul's 'Works of the Law' in the Perspective of Second Century Reception

Paul's 'Works of the Law' in the Perspective of Second Century Reception
Author: Matthew J. Thomas
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2018-07-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 3161562755

Paul writes that we are justified by faith apart from 'works of the law', a disputed term that represents a fault line between 'old' and 'new' perspectives on Paul. Was the Apostle reacting against the Jews' good works done to earn salvation, or the Mosaic Law's practices that identified the Jewish people? Matthew J. Thomas examines how Paul's second century readers understood these points in conflict, how they relate to 'old' and 'new' perspectives, and what their collective witness suggests about the Apostle's own meaning. Surprisingly, these early witnesses align closely with the 'new' perspective, though their reasoning often differs from both viewpoints. They suggest that Paul opposes these works neither due to moralism, nor primarily for experiential or social reasons, but because the promised new law and covenant, which are transformative and universal in scope, have come in Christ.

Jesus, Paul, and the Law

Jesus, Paul, and the Law
Author: James D. G. Dunn
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Total Pages: 292
Release: 1990-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780664250959

Drawing upon ten years of research experience, the master scholar James D. G. Dunn presents a book on a major issue in the study of Christian origins: what were the attitudes toward Jewish law within earliest Christianity? This volume not only gathers the author's significant contributions to date but also includes new material. Divided into nine parts, it is set in the wider context of a living dialogue and debate. The introduction maps out Dunn's extensive work in Pauline and Markan studies. The final chapter, "The Theology of Galatians," serves as a summary of Dunn's current position on Paul and the law and brings the volume to a convincing conclusion.

Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People

Paul, the Law, and the Jewish People
Author: E. P. Sanders
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 244
Release: 1983-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781451407419

This book is devoted both to the problem of Paul's view of the law as a whole, and to his thought about and relation to his fellow Jews. Building upon his previous study, the critically acclaimed Paul and Palestinian Judaism, E.P. Sanders explores Paul's Jewishness by concentrating on his overall relationship to Jewish tradition and thought. Sanders addresses such topics as Paul's use of scripture, the degree to which he was a practicing Jew during his career as apostle to the Gentiles, and his thoughts about his "kin by race" who did not accept Jesus as the messiah. In short, Paul's thoughts about the law and his own people are re-examined with new awareness and great care. Sanders addresses an important chapter in the history of the emergence of Christianity. Paul's role in that development -- specially in light of Galatians and Romans -- is now re-evaluated in a major way. This book is in fact a significant contribution to the study of the emergent normative self-definition in Judaism and Christianity during the first centuries of the common era.

Paul & the Law

Paul & the Law
Author: Frank Thielman
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2009-09-20
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780830876471

No issue in contemporary Pauline studies is more contested than Paul's view of the law. Headline proponents of the "new perspective" on Paul, such as E.P. Sanders and J.D.G. Dunn, have maintained that the Reformational readings of Paul have led to distorted understandings of first-century Judaism, of Paul and particularly of Paul's diagnosis of the Jewish situation under the law. Others have responded by arguing that while our understanding of Paul needs to be tuned to the clearer sounds now emanating from Jewish texts of the apostle's day, the basic Reformational insight into Paul's analysis of the human plight remains true to the apostle. Paul was opposing works righteousness. Paul & The Law is a careful attempt to assault this crucial interpretive problem with a new strategy. Rather than taking a systematic, topical approach, Frank Thielman examines Paul's view of the law in context: the context of each letter's language and argument. While many studies have focused on Paul's explicit statements about the law, Thielman goes further in investigating those contexts where Paul's language is allusive and his view implied. The result is an illuminating and significant contribution to Pauline studies. Paul & the Law clarifies our understanding of Paul's perspective on the law in the light of his gospel of Jesus Christ, and it reaffirms the coherence and integrity of Pauline theology as it relates to this pivotal axis of his thought.

Paul and the Law

Paul and the Law
Author: Brian S. Rosner
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2013-05-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0830895647

Brian S. Rosner seeks to build bridges between old and new perspectives on Paul with this biblical-theological account of the apostle's complex relationship with Jewish law. Rosner argues that Paul reevaluates the Law of Moses, including its repudiation as legal code, its replacement by other things, and its reappropriation as prophecy and wisdom.

Israel's Law and the Church's Faith

Israel's Law and the Church's Faith
Author: Stephen Westerholm
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 252
Release: 1988
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780802802880

"Westerholm is admirably concerned to focus our attention on Paul's theology, specifically on the theological issues that arose for the Apostle in his valiant attempt to assess the role of the law after the advent of Christ. Beginning with an unusually mature account of the debate that is currently raging over Paul's understanding of the law, Westerholm has provided an analysis of his own that will certainly claim the attention of all student's of Paul the theologian." - J. Louis Martyn "This is the most clearly written and understandable treatment of the debate over the law in Pauline thought that I have seen." - Robert Jewett "Westerholm has produced an illuminating, engaging, and refreshing book. He sets forth the views of major interpreters of Paul with clarity and candor, engages them, and then makes proposals of his own, which are both well considered and instructive. The book is both interesting and informative, a reader's delight." - Arland J. Hultgren

Jewish Traditions in Early Christian Literature, Volume 1 Paul and the Jewish Law

Jewish Traditions in Early Christian Literature, Volume 1 Paul and the Jewish Law
Author: Peter Tomson
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 347
Release: 1990-01-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9004275142

While interest in Paul's relationship to Judaism has been growing recently, this study adds an important aspect by comparing Paul’s practical instruction with the ancient halakha or Jewish traditional law. First Corinthians is found to be a source of prime importance, and surprisingly, halakha appears to be basic to Paul's instruction for non-Jewish Christians. The book includes thorough discussion of hermeneutic and methodological implications, always viewed in relation to the history of Pauline and Judaic study. Attention is also being paid to the setting within Hellenistic culture. Finally, conclusions are drawn about the texture of Paul's thought and these are applied to two ‘theological’ passages decisive for his place in Judaism. Historical and theological implications are vast, both regarding Paul's relationship to Judaism, his attitude towards Jesus and his Apostles, and the meaning of his teaching concerning justification and the Law.

A New Perspective on Jesus

A New Perspective on Jesus
Author: James D. G. Dunn
Publisher: Baker Academic
Total Pages: 136
Release: 2005-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0801027101

A renowned scholar calls for a change of direction for the study of Jesus in the 21st century.

Paul on Trial

Paul on Trial
Author: John W. Mauck
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2001
Genre: Bible
ISBN: 9780785245988

JOHN W. MAUCK provides an exciting new way of understanding the Book of Acts. With great skill and powerful arguments, the author contends that Acts was written primarily to defend Paul for his forthcoming trial in Rome. After reading Mauck's volume, the read we will not only gain a fuller understanding of Acts, but also obtain rock-solid arguments for defending Christianity and understanding its Jewish roots. What's Inside: A fresh study of Acts as a legal "brief" Insights gained from understanding of Roman law Numerous Charts that outline Luke's "argument" Recorded speeches viewed as "witness testimony" A section-by-section review of all of Acts A powerful apologetic defending the claims of Christianity Endorsements: "The book is a terrific addition to any lawyer's library. It makes the Book of Acts come alive with new and useful insights." -- Samuel B. Casey, Executive Director, Christian Legal Society "It makes a constructive, fresh, and fascinating contribution to the understanding of Acts." -- Dr. Donald Hagner, Author of Matthew in WBC, Fuller Theological Seminary

Paul and the Mosaic Law

Paul and the Mosaic Law
Author: James D. G. Dunn
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 375
Release: 2020-09-25
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1725271257

This volume makes a significant contribution to the important—often contentious—debate over Paul’s understanding of and attitude toward the Mosaic law. Sixteen outstanding New Testament scholars examine in depth the key passages in the letters of Paul that deal with the Jewish law, striving to find common ground on a wide range of exegetical and theological disputes. Their work not only provides a clearer view of the issues involved but also draws together the differing interpretive approaches currently applied to this pivotal topic of study. The essays by Lichtenberger, Hengel, Kertelge, Hofius, and Hubner are available here for the first time in English.