Overview
The "new perspective" on Paul, an approach that seeks to reinterpret the apostle Paul and his letters against the backdrop of first-century Judaism, has been criticized by some as not having value for ordinary Christians living ordinary lives. In this volume, world-renowned scholars explore the implications of the new perspective on Paul for the Christian life and church. James D. G. Dunn, N. T. Wright, Bruce Longenecker, Scot McKnight, and other leading New Testament scholars offer a response to this question: How does the apostle Paul understand the Christian life? The book makes a fresh contribution to the new perspective on Paul conversation and offers important new insights into the orientation of the Christian life.
Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction by Scot McKnight and Joseph B. Modica
1. The Christian Life from the Perspective of Paul's Letter to the Galatians
James D. G. Dunn
2. The New Perspective and the Christian Life in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians
Lynn H. Cohick
3. Faith, Works, and Worship: Torah Observance in Paul's Theological Perspective
Bruce W. Longenecker
4. The New Perspective and the Christian Life: Solus Spiritus
Patrick Mitchel
5. Participation in the New Creation People of God in Christ by the Spirit
Timothy G. Gombis
6. The New Perspective and the Christian Life: The Ecclesial Life
Scot McKnight
7. A Symphonic Melody: Wesleyan-Holiness Theology Meets New-Perspective Paul
Tara Beth Leach
8. Paul and Missional Hermeneutics
N. T. Wright
Indexes
Introduction by Scot McKnight and Joseph B. Modica
1. The Christian Life from the Perspective of Paul's Letter to the Galatians
James D. G. Dunn
2. The New Perspective and the Christian Life in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians
Lynn H. Cohick
3. Faith, Works, and Worship: Torah Observance in Paul's Theological Perspective
Bruce W. Longenecker
4. The New Perspective and the Christian Life: Solus Spiritus
Patrick Mitchel
5. Participation in the New Creation People of God in Christ by the Spirit
Timothy G. Gombis
6. The New Perspective and the Christian Life: The Ecclesial Life
Scot McKnight
7. A Symphonic Melody: Wesleyan-Holiness Theology Meets New-Perspective Paul
Tara Beth Leach
8. Paul and Missional Hermeneutics
N. T. Wright
Indexes
Endorsements
"Although the new perspective on Paul has been controversial, it has also been a great impetus toward rethinking theology and practice, not least in forcing us to see how the issues of grace and race are indelibly bound up together. In this volume, McKnight and Modica lead an international team of biblical scholars in thinking through what it means to say that God saves Jews and gentiles through faith in Jesus, and how this shapes mission, ethics, holiness, community, and the Christian life. A stimulating and stirring read about what Paul means today!"
Michael F. Bird, lecturer in theology, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia
"'Can these dry bones (of academic theories) live?' This question--the 'so what' factor--is not asked often enough in academia. But this book commences with the 'so what' question in regard to the new perspective on Paul. In recent years, some have declared the new perspective to be passé at best and dead at worst. The contributors to this book make a cogent case not only that the new perspective is still a compelling reading of Paul in his context but also that it draws out a depth and vitality in his theology and spirituality that can guide the Christian life and the church's life today."
Nijay K. Gupta, Portland Seminary