The New Perspective on Paul - some thoughts
February 26, 2008
So, I’m beginning to look at something called the New Perspective on Paul. It is a relatively new development in biblical scholarship based on some relatively new developments in Second Temple Judaism. I’m going to be perusing the book “Justification and Variegated Nomism” (Carson) as well as some articles on the New Perspective by Scot McKnight, who seems to have a balanced view. I also want to get my hands on some of Dunn and Wright’s works on the Perspective (two main proponents of the Perspective).
The New Perspective on Paul focuses mainly on Paul’s understanding of justification in light of the Second Temple Judaism context. Typical Protestant understanding of justification places a strong emphasis on the contrast of justification by works (Judaism) and justification by grace (Christianity). The New Perspective tries to take into account the fact that Jews probably did not view “works of the law” as a source of justification (although some did, just as some Christians today think this), but as a way to maintain the covenant relationship they already had with God. There are some potential problems with some of the New Perspective that I want to continue to look into.
Source for information on the New Perspective: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/11.35.html
March 18, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Hey, Nate!
New-Perspectives is some interesting stuff. Carson has some good lectures about it that can be reached here: http://pjtibayan.wordpress.com/2006/10/17/d-a-carson-audio-sermonslectures/
it is number 17 on the list. Maybe you have heard them already, but are you sure you want to get Justification and Variegated Nomism? I’m sure it would be a good read, but a lot of it is primary sources which means if you don’t know the language, it is not doing you a lot of good. A book that summarizes a lot of the issues from the classical standpoint is “Perspectives Old and New on Paul: The “Lutheran” Paul and His Critics” by Stephen Westerholm. E-mail me and let me know how this investigation is going. Keep rockin’ for Jesus!
(of course, it is good to hear the other side and you can find a lot of resources online at http://www.ntwrightpage.com which includes articles and lectures).