DM838_Lesson_33

Introduction to the New Perspective on Paul

  • Focus on the New Perspective on Paul, relevance to Romans.

  • Brief overview of Paul’s letter in context of grace.

Key Verse for Discussion

  • Romans 4:4: "Now to the one who works, his reward is not counted as a gift, but as his due."

    • Important Greek terms:

      • misthos (reward) - differentiates between a payment and a gift.

      • efeema (payment) - stresses the idea of earned rewards, not grace.

    • The common understanding of gift in Paul's context is notable; it challenges traditional notions of grace.

Defining Grace

  • Paul draws a strict distinction between:

    • Reward for work (not a gift).

    • What constitutes grace/true gift.

  • Importance of understanding grace in a Greco-Roman and first-century Jewish context.

  • Transition into Romans 5, crucial for understanding Paul's extensive use of ‘grace’ and ‘gift.’

Historical Context Overview

  • Background on social issues in the 1960s impacting theological studies.

    • Civil Rights Movement providing a backdrop for discussions of rights and justice.

  • Introduce key figures involved in the New Perspective movement:

    • Krister Stendahl (1960s)

    • Ed Parish Sanders (1977)

Krister Stendahl’s Contribution

  • Stendahl’s premise: Paul misread by focusing on individual salvation.

    • Focus instead on communal aspects of Paul’s message regarding Gentile inclusion in the people of God.

  • Critique of historical interpretations:

    • Emphasis on introspective conscience stemming from Augustine and Luther.

Ed Parish Sanders’ Work

  • Publication: "Paul and Palestinian Judaism."

    • Focus shifts to understanding Judaism in the context of Paul's theology.

  • Main argument:

    • Covenantal nomism - grace is fundamental to both Judaism and Christianity.

      • Inclusion in covenant through grace, living aligned with the law as a guide.

  • Contrasts with traditional views:

    • Common belief: Judaism is about works while Christianity is about grace.

    • Sanders asserts: Both are religions of grace; they differ in context and application but agree on salvation through grace.

  • Critique of Judaism’s relationship with grace:

    • Much debate around the distinct differences and similarities between Judaism and Christianity in light of Paul’s writings.

Conclusion

  • The shift in understanding the New Perspective and its implications for Romans reveals deeper themes of community, inclusion, and common threads in Jewish and Christian thought.

  • The interplay of current events during Stendahl and Sanders’ time offering a lens for understanding biblical texts as responses to communal needs.